With Super Bowl XLIX concluding the football season last weekend, the sports world now turns its eyes to the NBA and college basketball. Feb. 13-15 the NBA will host their annual All-star weekend in Brooklyn, New York.
Friday night features the celebrity game, and the rising stars challenge. The league adjusted teams so they consist of an all-world team, and an all-USA team. The world team features potential superstar forward Andrew Wiggins from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Normally, I would pick them to win. However, in an all-star format, the American team will push the ball and win.
Saturday night has a number of events, including the dunk contest, and skills challenge. However, the event fans seem to be buzzing about is the 3-point shootout. Some of the greatest shooters the NBA has seen like guards Kyle Korver and Stephen Curry are participating. It’s probably the best field of participants the event has seen. Guards James Harden, Marco Belineli, Kyrie Irving, Clay Thompson, Wesley Matthews, and Kyle Lowery are all in and want the win. The shootout has overtaken the dunk contest as the must-see contest of the All-Star Saturday night. The ‘Splash Brothers’ Thompson and Curry are favorites to win the contest, but the NBA’s leading 3-point shooter Korver is my choice. He’s made 160 3-pointers in 52 games. With no defense being played on him, he should be money and win handily.
Finally, on Sunday evening you have the classic all-star game itself. A number of players are out with injuries, but it gives snubs like center Demarcus Cousins and guard Damien Lillard an opportunity to show the world what they can do. The loaded western conference has a plethora of skilled players. Whereas in the east one has to search for all-stars. The west should dominate. But in a game with no defense, anything is possible.
With that said, Steph Curry’s mouth salivates at no defense being played and will probably make five or six 3-pointers. It’s been his season so far, leading the league in All-Star votes for a reason. The All-Star game is what Curry was made for. He’ll win MVP in 2015.