By: Stephen Patterson
The NBA's annual All-Star blast is heading to its' biggest stage this season, and it will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this weekend.
Before this season, most people around the country would have gotten mental images of Kobe Bryant or his Los Angeles Lakers if you mentioned the Staples Center, however, this season there's another show in town (and I don't mean the All-Star game).
That show goes by a few names, but the most popular one seems to be the "BlakeShow", and his talents and skill set will be on full display this weekend during the All-Star festivities.
Not only will he participating in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition, but Blake Griffin will also appear in the Rookie-Sophomore game as well as the main event, the All-Star game itself.
This slideshow will give previews and predictions for all of the big events this weekend in Los Angeles. Just a tip, be prepared to witness the nationwide breakout of the BlakeShow.
Note: For a full list of participants for the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge and the All-Star Game, visit this site: http://www.espn.go.com/nba/allstargame
Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
Participants: Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Predicted Winner: Blake Griffin
If you have watched 'SportsCenter' at some point this season, or happened to catch a Clippers game, you probably know why Griffin has to be considered the clear-cut favorite in this event. He has lit-up almost every opponent the Clippers have faced this season with electric dunks, and I believe he will have a few extra-special dunks in store for this event.
This contest has the potential to be the most entertaining one since the 2000 Dunk Contest, which Vince Carter turned into a career-defining performance. While Griffin likely won't top Carter's performance from that contest, there is a decent chance he will have the most entertaining array of dunks since.
DeRozan would be my dark, dark horse pick in the event, although I don't think anyone will even realize Griffin had competition after the contest is finished. I would be stunned if anyone other than Griffin won this year's event.
Chris Trotman/Getty Images The NBA's annual All-Star blast is heading to its' biggest stage this season, and it will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this weekend.
Before this season, most people around the country would have gotten mental images of Kobe Bryant or his Los Angeles Lakers if you mentioned the Staples Center, however, this season there's another show in town (and I don't mean the All-Star game).
That show goes by a few names, but the most popular one seems to be the "BlakeShow", and his talents and skill set will be on full display this weekend during the All-Star festivities.
Not only will he participating in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition, but Blake Griffin will also appear in the Rookie-Sophomore game as well as the main event, the All-Star game itself.
This slideshow will give previews and predictions for all of the big events this weekend in Los Angeles. Just a tip, be prepared to witness the nationwide breakout of the BlakeShow.
Note: For a full list of participants for the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge and the All-Star Game, visit this site: http://www.espn.go.com/nba/allstargame
Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
Participants: Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Predicted Winner: Blake Griffin
If you have watched 'SportsCenter' at some point this season, or happened to catch a Clippers game, you probably know why Griffin has to be considered the clear-cut favorite in this event. He has lit-up almost every opponent the Clippers have faced this season with electric dunks, and I believe he will have a few extra-special dunks in store for this event.
This contest has the potential to be the most entertaining one since the 2000 Dunk Contest, which Vince Carter turned into a career-defining performance. While Griffin likely won't top Carter's performance from that contest, there is a decent chance he will have the most entertaining array of dunks since.
DeRozan would be my dark, dark horse pick in the event, although I don't think anyone will even realize Griffin had competition after the contest is finished. I would be stunned if anyone other than Griffin won this year's event.
3-Point Shootout
Participants: Ray Allen (Boston Celtics), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Daniel Gibson (Cleveland Cavaliers), James Jones (Miami Heat), Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Dorell Wright (Golden State Warriors)
Predicted Winner: Ray Allen
Considering Allen just surpassed Reggie Miller for the most three-point makes in NBA history, I think he has to be considered the favorite in this contest. While it's always possible for someone to catch fire and win out-of-nowhere in this event, Allen is by far the best shooter from downtown out of this group.
Gibson would probably be my second pick as the most likely to pull out a victory other than Allen this year. "Boobie" is shooting 44 percent from distance this season, which barely trails Allen's 46 percent as tops among the competitors.
And although Durant says he is competing in this event basically for amusement, I could see him catching fire on the big stage and stealing a victory in this shootout, although his season average of 34 percent is the lowest among the six shooters.
NBA Celebrity All-Star Game
Predicted Winner: Bill Simmons' team by 10+
I couldn't tell you one participant in this year's Celebrity Game, and frankly, like most people, I'm not too concerned to know.
Most years I don't even acknowledge this game as being a part of the "real" festivities of the weekend, but that changed this season with Bill Simmons being given a spot as a coach for one of the teams.
I'm just going with the team coached by Simmons for my pick because he is one of my favorite writers and was an inspiration behind my decision to go into sports journalism.
This one is for you, Bill. Don't let me down.
Rookie-Sophomore Challenge Game
Predicted Winner: Rookies 133 - Sophomores 124
For some reason, the sophomore team looks really weak to me this season. Beyond Stephen Curry, Wesley Matthews, DeJuan Blair and Brandon Jennings, there aren't too many bright spots on the second-year roster in my opinion.
Tyreke Evans would've given the sophomores a much better chance at victory, however he will be sitting out the event due to injury. Blair will integral to their success on defense, as he will be tasked with trying to stop Blake Griffin. Curry will need a huge game on offense for the sophomores to stay in this one.
I think Griffin could have a historically good performance for the rookie team. Considering he is playing on his home floor, I think he will have a monster game. Also, I think the reunion of former Kentucky teammates John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will be very successful for the pair.
The All-Star Game
Predicted Winner: West 117 - East 112
While the Eastern Conference clearly has the better starting five of the two squads, I don't think their reserves will have what it takes to keep up with their Western counterparts and that will lead them to a loss.
I don't think Chris Bosh deserved to be in the game this season, and his selection could be costly considering Kevin Garnett is also a reserve with less-than desired production at the power forward position for the East.
With Doc Rivers coaching the Eastern squad, I expect the four Celtic reserves will see plenty of playing time as well. Also, Rivers recently said he would probably experiment at the center position with the player closest to free agency while he has his four players on the court; that player happens to Dwight Howard.
With Los Angeles being a Western Conference city, and Blake Griffin, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol all potentially playing a home game, I think the crowd energy will be overwhelmingly behind the West this season. That energy will likely be all the Western team needs to take home the victory.
Also, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a signature dunk from Griffin at some point during his big moment celebrating his selection as the first rookie to be voted into the game since Yao Ming in 2003 (and yes, that means not even LeBron James can claim that achievement).
That show goes by a few names, but the most popular one seems to be the "BlakeShow", and his talents and skill set will be on full display this weekend during the All-Star festivities.
