NBA All Star Weekend: Our Predictions

As we head into All Star Weekend here in the NBA, one of the most anticipated weekends in all of U.S. sports, there is a lot to take into consideration before all of the fun begins. For the second year in a row, Giannis Antentokounmpo and Lebron James were elected as team captains for the All Star Game, and were allowed to pick their teams from the other players selected for the game. Dunk contest veterans Aaron Gordon and Dwight Howard, along with high flyers Derrick Jones Jr. and Pat Connaughton. The skills competition will allow certain players to participate in an obstacle course that is constantly changing so it’ll be a surprise to us all and should make for a thrilling contest this year. As for the Three Point Shootout, there are plenty of sharp-shooting talents present, like first-time all stars Devin Booker and Trae Young. The Skills Challenge will feature many of the young and rising stars in the league, such as Jayson Tatum and Spencer Dinwiddie. We’re going to be breaking down all of these events for you in depth, as well as giving our predictions.

All Star Game:

Giannis Antentokounmpo, captain of Team Giannis, making his fourth all-star appearance.

Team Giannis Starters: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Trae Young, Kemba Walker.

Team Giannis Reserves: Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram, Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, Rudy Gobert, Khris Middleton, Kyle Lowry.

If there’s one thing we can unanimously decide on for this team, it’s that Giannis’ GM skills are nowhere close to his on-court ones. His picks were questionable at times, but that doesn’t mean that this team doesn’t have a shot at winning the game. Giannis and Embiid make up a deadly frontcourt, which should help with all of the dunk attempts that we’re going to see in this game. Young, Walker, and Middleton all have potential to light it up from the three-point line as well. His team features six first-time all stars, Siakam, Young, Adebayo, Ingram, Mitchell, and Gobert. There’s no doubt that these players are going to play their hearts out on the big stage, but will it be enough to compete with the talent on Team Lebron’s side? 

Team Lebron Starters: Lebron James, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic

Team Lebron Reserves: Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Domantas Sabonis, Ben Simmons.

If this starting five for Team Lebron doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will. With three former MVPs on this roster, and many other MVP candidates, this may be one of the most-stacked rosters in All Star Game history. The only thing that this team lacks compared to Team Giannis is length, but that can be easily compensated with the players wide skill-sets. This team will be lighting it up from downtown for the entirety of the game with the help of Harden, Doncic, and Booker. The rest of the roster, including the likes of James himself, Davis, Leonard, and Jokic should be a tough task to handle when driving to the rack.

Our Prediction: 184-175, Team Lebron.

Three-point Shootout:

Participants: 

Trae Young | Hawks

Zach LaVine | Bulls

Buddy Hield | Kings

Duncan Robinson | Heat

Joe Harris | Nets

Davis Bertans | Wizards

Devonte' Graham | Hornets

Devin Booker | Suns

There are plenty of sharp-shooters rounding out this field for the three-point shootout. Reigning champ Joe Harris will be making his return, along with plenty of youngsters awaiting to dethrone him. Devin Booker and Trae Young are two of our favorites this year, and we predict that these two will make it to the finals with their lights-out shooting. 

Prediction: Trae Young

Dunk Contest:

Dwight Howard | Lakers

Aaron Gordon | Magic

Derrick Jones Jr. | Heat

Pat Connaughton | Bucks

This contest should be one for the record books, as Gordon and Howard are making their return. But, we believe that they may be outshined by the youngest guy on the court. Derrick Jones Jr, who had one of the most electric high school mixtapes of all time, is ready to perform the upset. After coming into the league undrafted, reason being many thought he was “only a dunker,” this is where we’re going to be able to see his true potential.

Prediction: Derrick Jones Jr. 

Skills Challenge: 

Jayson Tatum | Celtics

Pascal Siakam | Raptors

Bam Adebayo | Heat

Domantas Sabonis | Pacers

Patrick Beverley | Clippers

Khris Middleton | Bucks

Spencer Dinwiddie | Nets

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder 

With players from all positions being represented in the Skills Challenge, and a new format for the event awaiting us, this should all contribute to a very exciting event this year. We think the winner of this will go to one of the, if not the, most improved players across the league, being Pascal Siakam. After the departure of Kawhi Leonard in Toronto, many thought that the Raptors would fall apart this season. But Siakam, with the help of others such as fellow all star Kyle Lowry, have led the Raptors to a potential championship team this season. With Siakam’s push into this leadership role and with his diverse skill set, we believe that he will be crowned victorious in this event.

Prediction: Pascal Siakam