Friendly Bounce RTOE: NBA All-Star Weekend predictions
Who are you most excited to watch in the Rising Stars game? Which team wins?
Ryne Prinz (@ryneprinz): This isn’t really a bold take, but Karl-Anthony Towns is probably going to dominate in this game. KAT puts up absurd lines against NBA veterans, so imagine him playing guys his age. That said, I’m taking the World team as my victor.
Taylor Smith (@TaylorBojangles): I think Andrew Wiggins will put on a show in this game, as he did last year when he scored 22 points. Let’s see him go for 40 in his hometown. I’ll go with the World team to win, as well.
Donnie Kolakowski (@donniebuckets): Rodney Hood is a guy who has went from good to great this year, and continues to get better every week. It’ll be fun watching him get his proper due alongside some of the other young stars.
Ian Dougherty (@IanDougherty): This is our first opportunity to see Mario Hezonja in an All-Star game format, and I expect him to take advantage of the mass amounts of chucking that is allowed. He’s already a showman, but this should kick him up a couple notches.
Dan Favale (@danfavale): Nikola Jokic is low-key having one of the finest rookie seasons ever. If the Nuggets gave him more spin, he’d be in the Rookie of the Year running with Kristaps Porzingis and Towns. Jokic, after all, is what happens when you give Kevin Love Defensive Player of the Year potential and a good sense of humor. It’ll be exciting to see him get some national exposure.
Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): There are a ton of guys that could be a lot of fun in this game but this was an easy choice for me. Kristaps Porzingis is going to do some incredible things and embarrass a few players on Team USA. That said Team USA has a bit more shooting so I am taking them to win.
Who wins the skills challenge (Contestants: Emmanuel Mudiay, Jordan Clarkson, C.J. McCollum, Isaiah Thomas, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Karl-Anthony Towns).
(Editor’s Note: Two answers were entered before Patrick Beverley pulled out due to injury.)
Prinz: I think Isaiah has a great chance of winning. He is super quick and can shoot the three. Also, his nickname according to Basketball Reference is “Pizza Guy”, so he always delivers.
Smith: As the reigning champ (I didn’t have to look this up, which is sad), I’ll say Beverley goes back-to-back. He is the most skilled player in the league, you know.
Kolakowski: I’ll go with McCollum, whose shown off his impressive handles and passing this season.
Dougherty: I too will go with the reigning most skilled player in the league, Beverley. I am interested to see how the big men fit into the challenge, though.
Favale: Draymond is the pick for me. This challenge is perfect for him. It demands you do a ton of things efficiently rather than with flair or explosion. He is one of the most deadly passers and shooters in basketball right now, so seeing him dominate the field feels like a given.
Cianfrone: I really wanted to take Anthony Davis in this one but everything the Pelicans have done this season has been a disaster so I couldn’t. So I will take Thomas who I think is the quickest player in the competition and who shouldn’t have an issue making the jumper.
Who wins the three-point contest? (Devin Booker, Chris Bosh, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kyle Lowry, Khris Middleton, J.J. Redick, Klay Thompson)
Prinz: Steph. Who’s finishing second?
Smith: Give me Lowry. Home crowd lift!
Kolakowski: J.J. Redick gets redemption after last year’s debacle.
Dougherty: Remember when Larry Bird asked the rest of the field “Which one of you guys is going to finish second?” in the locker room before the inaugural three-point shootout, before he went on to destroy the competition? I wouldn’t be surprised if Steph did the exact same thing this year.
Favale: Steph could win this contest blindfolded. While using only his non-dominant hand. With Riley strapped to his back. And Mark Jackson hurling stones at his face.
Cianfrone: The obvious answer is Steph but I’m taking Khris Middleton because I’m a Bucks fan.
Who wins the dunk contest? (Zach LaVine, Will Barton, Aaron Gordon, Andre Drummond)
Prinz: Although I like Aaron Gordon’s chances, Zach LaVine is Zach LaVine.
Smith: Do we really need to answer this one?
Kolakowski: I have nothing to add. LaVine’s the runaway favorite.
Dougherty: LaVine, easily. Put Will Barton down for having the most spectacular missed dunk of the evening, too.
Favale: If LaVine doesn’t win this thing by doing a 360-degree reverse somersault over a double-decker bus into a windmill jam, I’ll be insanely disappointed.
Cianfrone: The fans. LaVine and Gordon are going to put on an absolute show and Barton has the potential to be right there with them. LaVine walks away as the back-to-back champ and in the conversation with Vince Carter as best contestant of all-time though.
Who is the All-Star Game MVP?
Prinz: Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant will be co-MVPs. It’s Kobe’s last year, so why the heck not.
Smith: Kobe’s definitely taking 20+ shots in this game, right? But I’ll go with Steph. This is the perfect platform for him to take a jumper from halfcourt with 20 on the shot clock. And he’ll make it, because Steph.
Kolakowski: I’ll go with Russell Westbrook. His particular brand of skill and athleticism is always fun to watch at the All Star Game, and he’ll take as many shots as he darn well pleases.
Dougherty: Kobe. It’s his last All-Star Game, an event he’s dominated in his career. I’m sure he wants one more MVP. He’s going to empty his clip, then take everyone else’s and empty them too. It’s going to be beautiful.
Favale: Steph for sure. I know it’s Kobe’s last hurrah and all, but the juxtaposition between Kobe scoring 30 points on 30 shots and Steph going for 40 points on 20 shots will be too stark to ignore.
Cianfrone: Russell Westbrook. Russ won’t care at all about this being Kobe’s last All-Star appearance and this style of game fits him perfectly. I can’t wait for it.