Even as NBA headlines continue to highlight the plight of Utah Jazz fans as they hopelessly ponder the sudden resignation of former coach Jerry Sloan, the NBA's All-Star weekend approaches with its usual aura of excitement.
The annual T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam, a face-off between the NBA's premiere rookies and the league's seasoned sophomores, will start off the weekend with a bang. As can be inferred from the event's name, this matchup is typically a boring slaughter on the side of the second-year players. Yet this year could very well be one for the ages as two unusually talented draft classes go head to head.
Last year, the rookies — led by Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, Stephan Curry of the Golden State Warriors and DeJuan Blair of the San Antonio Spurs — won their match-up decisively, 140-128, breaking a seven-year rookie drought. A repeat win is far from guaranteed, though, as they face the lightning-fast John Wall, the enormous Demarcus Cousins — the two were former teammates last year at Kentucky — and the All-Star Blake Griffin.
Friday continues with the BBVA Celebrity Game, which allows for superstars from all facets of the entertainment industry to rub shoulders with each other. This year's contestants include NBA Hall-of-Famers Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Scottie Pippen, who will play alongside rapper Common and teenage sensation Justin Bieber. Yep, Justin Bieber. Let's just say that this event is far from the highlight of the weekend.
But one should expect the weekend's energy, at least basketball-wise, to pick up once again on Saturday with the Taco Bell Skills challenge, which tests players' agility as well as their shooting and passing accuracy. Chris Paul is expected to lead the way this year, though superb ball-handlers Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Derek Fisher pose threats to snatch the title.
The Foot Locker 3-Point Contest on Saturday night should be memorable as well. Paul Pierce will have to defend his 3-point title against Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Jones of the Miami Heat, Dorell Wright of the Warriors, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the most successful 3-point shooter in NBA history, teammate Ray Allen. Of all of the challengers, Ray Allen is the only one to have won the competition before, in 2001, when he represented the Milwaukee Bucks.
Next up will be the infamous Slam Dunk contest. Nate Robinson, a three-time dunk contest champion, has chosen not to participate this year. Despite this disappointment, Saturday night could very well be one of the best dunk contests in recent basketball history. The Thunder's Serge Ibaka will team up with the Wizards' Javale McGee and the Raptors' DeMar DeRozan to take on the runaway favorite Blake Griffin — or the "Rim Reaper." It is going to be hard for anyone to defeat this rookie All-Star who nearly hits his forehead on the rim every time he dunks.
The cherry on top of the weekend is the breathtaking All-Star game that will be broadcast on Sunday at 8 p.m. on TNT. Last year turned out to be a superb game, as the East won 141-139, led by none other than Dwyane Wade — the game's MVP — and LeBron James. This year's game has the potential to be equally, if not more, exciting. The defending champions in the East include Wade, James, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Amar'e Stoudemire, and the Celtics' core foursome is expected to contribute off the bench. The West's starting lineup includes Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and big surprise Yao Ming, with a solid bench that includes Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan and Russell Westbrook, to name just a few.
The above ingredients add up to one must-watch weekend for any basketball fan.
