2013 NBA All-Star Predictions Thread.

[nuraman00]

1. Celebrity Game MVP. (Teams are decided at tip-off, so can't pick winner in advance).

Celebrity Game Lineup (via NBA.com)
Kevin Hart ("Real Husbands of Hollywood")
Ne-Yo (R&B/pop singer)


Nick Cannon ("Real Husbands of Hollywood")
Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games)
Trey Songz (R&B Singer/Actor)
Usain Bolt (Olympic gold medal sprinter)
Arne Duncan (Secretary of Education)

Terrence Jenkins ("E! News," Anchor)
Common (Rapper/Actor)
John Schriffen (ABC News Correspondent)
Ryen Russillo (ESPN Host)
Dikembe Mutombo (eight-time NBA All-Star)
Clyde Drexler (10-time NBA All-Star)
Sean Elliott (two-time NBA All-Star)
Bruce Bowen (NBA legend)
Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever)
Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx)



2. Rookie Challenge and MVP:


Round Pick Pos. Player Team Rookie / Sophomore
1 1 G Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers Rookie
2 3 G Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers Sophomore
3 5 C Andre DrummondINJ Detroit Pistons Rookie
4 7 G/F Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors Sophomore
5 9 F Harrison Barnes Golden State Warriors Rookie
6 11 F Chandler Parsons Houston Rockets Sophomore
7 13 G Dion Waiters Cleveland Cavaliers Rookie
8 15 F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Charlotte Bobcats Rookie
Draw C Tyler Zeller Cleveland Cavaliers Rookie
Draw G Kemba Walker Charlotte Bobcats Sophomore
— F Andrew NicholsonREP Orlando Magic Rookie
Co-head coach: TBA
Co-head coach: TBA
General manager: Shaquille O’Neal


Round Pick Pos. Player Team Rookie / Sophomore
1 2 F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Hornets Rookie
2 4 F Kenneth Faried Denver Nuggets Sophomore
3 6 F Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs Sophomore
4 8 G Bradley Beal Washington Wizards Rookie
5 10 G Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves Sophomore
6 12 F/C Tristan Thompson Cleveland Cavaliers Sophomore
7 14 C Nikola Vucevic Orlando Magic Sophomore
8 16 G Brandon Knight Detroit Pistons Sophomore
Draw G Isaiah Thomas Sacramento Kings Sophomore
Draw G Alexey Shved Minnesota Timberwolves Rookie
Co-head coach: TBA
Co-head coach: TBA
General manager: Charles Barkley



3. D-League All-Star Game and MVP:

FUTURES ALL-STAR ROSTER
Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. College Birthdate
F Micah Downs (Maine) 6-7 180 Gonzaga 9/8/86
G Courtney Fortson (Los Angeles) 5-11 185 Arkansas 5/23/88
G Ron Howard (Fort Wayne) 6-5 185 Valparaiso 11/14/82
C Jerome Jordan (Reno) 7-0 253 Tulsa 9/26/86
F Marcus Landry (Reno) 6-7 230 Wisconsin 11/1/85
G Shelvin Mack (Maine)* 6-3 215 Butler 4/22/90
F James Mays (Springfield) 6-8 230 Clemson 3/8/86
G Tony Mitchell (Fort Wayne) 6-6 216 Alabama 8/7/89
F DaJuan Summers (Maine) 6-8 240 Georgetown 1/24/88
F Chris Wright (Maine) 6-8 225 Dayton 9/30/88


Head Coach: Mike Taylor (Maine)
Assistant Coaches: Tunde Adekola (Maine), J.P. Clark (Maine)
Athletic Trainer: Jessica Kendall (Maine)

PROSPECTS ALL-STAR ROSTER
Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. College Birthdate
G Justin Dentmon (Texas) 6-0 185 Washington 9/5/85
F Damion James (Bakersfield) 6-7 225 Texas 10/7/87
G D.J. Kennedy (Erie) 6-6 215 St. John’s 11/5/89
G Travis Leslie (Santa Cruz) 6-4 205 Georgia 3/29/90
F James Mays (Springfield) 6-8 230 Clemson 3/8/86
G Jerel McNeal (Bakersfield) 6-3 202 Marquette 6/1/87
F Demetris Nichols (Sioux Falls) 6-8 210 Syracuse 9/4/84
C Tim Ohlbrecht (Rio Grande Valley) 6-11 255 Germany 8/30/88
F Arinze Onuaku (Canton) 6-9 275 Syracuse 7/13/87
C Henry Sims (Erie) 7-0 241 Georgetown 3/27/90
G Chris Wright (Iowa) 6-1 210 Georgetown 11/4/89


Head Coach: Will Voigt (Bakersfield)
Assistant Coaches: John Bryant (Bakersfield), Rod Baker (Bakersfield)
Athletic Trainer: Shaun Mirza (Bakersfield)


4. Shooting Stars and Halfcourt Shot: (Halfcourt shot can be made during either 1st round or final round)

Team Miami: Chris Bosh, Swin Cash, Dominique Wilkins
Team Brooklyn: Brook Lopez, Tamika Catchings, Mugsy Bogues
Team Houston: James Harden, Tina Thompson, Sam Cassell
Team Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook, Maya Moore, Robert Horry


5. Skills Challenge

2013 Eastern Conference Taco Bell Skills Challenge Participants
Jrue Holiday(Philadelphia)
Brandon Knight(Detroit)
Jeff Teague(Atlanta)


2013 Western Conference Taco Bell Skills Challenge Participants
Tony Parker(San Antonio)
Damian Lillard(Portland)
Jeremy Lin(Houston)


6. 3-Point Shootout


2013 Eastern Conference Foot Locker Three-Point Contest Participants
Paul George(Indiana)
Kyrie Irving(Cleveland)
Steve Novak (New York)



2013 Western Conference Foot Locker Three-Point Contest Participants
Ryan Anderson(New Orleans)
Matt Bonner(San Antonio)
Stephen Curry(Golden State)




7. Dunk contest

James White (New York Knicks, Eastern Conference): 5/4
Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors, Eastern Conference): 7/2
Gerald Green (Indiana Pacers, Eastern Conference): 4/1
Eric Bledsoe (Los Angeles Clippers, Western Conference): 5/1
Jeremy Evans (Utah Jazz, Western Conference): 8/1
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets, Western Conference): 8/1


8. All-Star game winner and MVP


NO. PLAYER (TEAM) POS. HT. WT. BIRTHDATE FROM
7 * Carmelo Anthony (Knicks) F 6-8 230 05/29/84 Syracuse/USA
6 * LeBron James (Heat) F 6-8 250 12/30/84 St. Vincent-St. Mary HS (OH)/USA
5 * Kevin Garnett (Celtics) C-F 6-11 253 05/19/76 Farragut Academy HS (IL)/USA
9 | Rajon Rondo (Celtics) G 6-1 186 02/22/86 Kentucky/USA
3 * Dwyane Wade (Heat) G 6-4 220 01/17/82 Marquette/USA
1 Chris Bosh (Heat) C-F 6-11 235 03/24/84 Georgia Tech/USA
6 # Tyson Chandler (Knicks) C 7-1 240 10/02/82 Dominguez HS (CA)/USA
9 Luol Deng (Bulls) F 6-9 220 04/16/85 Duke/Sudan
24 # Paul George (Pacers) G-F 6-8 221 05/02/90 Fresno State/USA
11 # Jrue Holiday (76ers) G 6-4 205 06/12/90 UCLA/USA
2 # Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers) G 6-3 191 03/23/92 Duke/USA
11 # Brook Lopez (Nets) C 7-0 265 04/01/88 Stanford/USA
13 # Joakim Noah (Bulls) C 6-11 232 02/25/85 Florida/USA
Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra (Heat)

NO. PLAYER (TEAM) POS. HT. WT. BIRTHDATE FROM
35 * Kevin Durant (Thunder) F 6-9 235 09/29/88 Texas/USA
32 * Blake Griffin (Clippers) F 6-10 251 03/16/89 Oklahoma/USA
12 * Dwight Howard (Lakers) C 6-11 265 12/08/85 SW Atlanta Christian Academy (GA)/USA
24 * Kobe Bryant (Lakers) G 6-6 205 08/23/78 Lower Merion HS (PA)/USA
3 * Chris Paul (Clippers) G 6-0 175 05/06/85 Wake Forest/USA
12 LaMarcus Aldridge (Trail Blazers) F 6-11 240 07/19/85 Texas/USA
21 Tim Duncan (Spurs) F 6-11 255 04/25/76 Wake Forest/U.S. Virgin Islands
13 # James Harden (Rockets) G 6-5 220 08/26/89 Arizona State/USA
10 David Lee (Warriors) F-C 6-9 240 04/29/83 Florida/USA
9 Tony Parker (Spurs) G 6-2 185 05/17/82 Paris BR/France
50 Zach Randolph (Grizzlies) F 6-9 260 07/16/81 Michigan State/USA
0 Russell Westbrook (Thunder) G 6-3 187 11/12/88 UCLA/USA
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich (Spurs)

* – denotes starter
# – denotes first-time selection
| – denotes injured and will not participate

 

[nuraman00]

1. Celebrity Game MVP. (Teams are decided at tip-off, so can't pick winner in advance).

Celebrity Game Lineup (via NBA.com)
Kevin Hart ("Real Husbands of Hollywood")

I think Hart has won Celebrity MVP before or something. I think I see his name every year, so he must be good.

2. Rookie Challenge and MVP:


Team Shaq. I don't like the shooting on Team Chuck. I could see Faried being MVP for Chuck though, as Paul Millsap and DeJuan Blair almost won MVPs in past years, while having a similar game as Faried.

MVP: Kemba Walker. (Barnes was a 2nd pick). I'm picking someone that's good in the paint.


3. D-League All-Star Game and MVP:

The first team, and Marcus Landry.

4. Shooting Stars and Halfcourt Shot: (Halfcourt shot can be made during either 1st round or final round)

Team Houston and Sam Cassell.

Team Houston: James Harden, Tina Thompson, Sam Cassell



5. Skills Challenge

Tony Parker, because he's fast.



6. 3-Point Shootout

Matt Bonner, just because.



7. Dunk contest

Eric Bledsoe or Kenneth Faried. I'll go with the big man. I think bigs stylistically look worse, but they get more creative, that's why guys like Stoudemire, Josh Smith, Jeremy Evans have done some creative things.


Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets, Western Conference): 8/1


8. All-Star game winner and MVP

I always suck at picking the MVP.

It's most likely going to be a starter though, as they play more.

THere really isn't a rhyme or reason as to why a team wins a game. These things aren't about matchups.

I'll go with Chris Bosh, as I could see him playing more than Garnett. But Chandler is also on the team (minutes).

I'll go with the West and Chris Paul.

No.

I'll go with the East and Lebron James. No. Carmelo Anthony, just because he's had some prolific quarters this year.

Eastern Team.
MVP: Carmelo Anthony.

 

[nuraman00]

I'm rooting for Team Chuck though, just because I want him to beat Team Shaq.

 

[wildturkey]

I'm watching the usually awful and pointless Celeb game just to see Russillo. I love SVP & Russillo. Best radio show there is imo

 

[nuraman00]

I'm watching the usually awful and pointless Celeb game just to see Russillo. I love SVP & Russillo. Best radio show there is imo

I watched it the first 2-3 years, and then I stopped, because as you said, it was bad.

It during Friday early afternoon though, so it's not bad to have something to kill time, before all of the good stuff starts.

What time is Russillo's radio show? I never hear promos for him where I live (and I listen to a lot of sports radio, I usually flip between 2-3 different streams).

 

[nuraman00]

I liked H.O.R.S.E., err, I mean G.E.I.C.O. It was a good event to have Saturday before the rest of AS Saturday. It was nice and informal, to see the participants in a casual setting.

 

[uncfan103]

1. Celebrity Game MVP. Common

2. Rookie Challenge and MVP: Team Shaq and Dion Waiters


3. D-League All-Star Game and MVP: FUTURES and Shelvin Mack


4. Shooting Stars and Halfcourt Shot: Team Brooklyn wins and Lopez makes the halfcourt shot

5. Skills Challenge: Damian Lillard(Portland)

6. 3-Point Shootout: Matt Bonner (San Antonio)

This is the main reason i wanted to make the predictions in this thread. Ive got a good feeling about him because he is a good shooter, has a quick release, and doesn't use too much legs.

7. Dunk contest: Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)


8. All-Star game winner and MVP: West and James Harden

 

[MHSL82]

Note: These are my predictions, not who I want to win. I broke them up into these categories, rather than putting them all together. Felt this would be less jumbled and easier to read. Didn't relist the categories, just the numbers in the second and third lists.

Predictions:
1. Celebrity Game MVP.: Kevin Hart
2. Rookie Challenge and MVP: Team Shaq, Kyrie Irving
3. D-League All-Star Game and MVP: Future, Marcus Landry
4. Shooting Stars and Halfcourt Shot: Team Oklahoma City, Houston second
5. Skills Challenge: EC - Jrue Holiday; WC- Tony Parker; Parker overall
6. 3-Point Shootout: EC - Steve Novak; WC - Stephen Curry; Novak overall
7. Dunk contest: Terrence Ross
8. All-Star game winner and MVP: Western, Durant

Reasoning:
1. Nuraman convinced me. This is actually the only one I read of his (will read after I submit). I would like to see Drexler and Motumbo play, though it won't be like the old days. I'd like to see if Bolt can use his speed for quickness in a basketball setting, too. (I know quickness and speed are different things.)
2. Best team by player recognition, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised either way. I feel that Barkley is more loose as a coach, too. Don't know much of them, know Irving, so I'm voting for him.
3. I have no idea, I don't watch college hoops. But the name and school, I think sound good. Maine over Bakersfield.
4. Self-explanatory, I think the teams are stacked that way. I took OKC first, because you know I can't trust Harden to shoot well (though his overall percentage is much better than that one streak). Anything can happen here.
5. Don't know anyone well but Parker, heard about Holiday. Experience wins over.
6. Heard of both, wouldn't be surprised if Andersen wins or Curry.
7. Going for an underdog favorite - meaning good odds but not the best odds. I do think Green could have a chance and I unfortunately doubt Evans will defend.
8. LeBron will likely win Regular Season and Finals MVP and Title, so going with the opposite conference and MVP Second Place.

Rooting for (who I want to win but don't predict):
1. Drexler - old school.
2. Team: Don't Care. MVP Damian Lillard (Went to the college my grandparents taught at), Honorable Mention: Chandler Parsons - works hard in games I've watched.
3. Micah Downs (I went to Law School in Washington)
4. Team Houston, but think OKC will win.
5. Jeremy Lin first, Damian Lillard second, Parker last.
6. Don't care, but I like SF, so Curry.
7. Jeremy Evans, duh.
8. Western, Kevin Durant (I think LeBron's getting the real MVP and Title)

 

[nuraman00]

1. Nuraman convinced me. This is actually the only one I read of his (will read after I submit). I would like to see Drexler and Motumbo play, though it won't be like the old days.

I don't.

During 2002-2003, before the Celebrity game was on Friday nights, they had some pick-up game between Magic and Isiah. That was the featured Friday night event. It was bad. All they did was smile, joke, and laugh the whole time, while moving like Al Jefferson. Magic probably missed most of his hook shots.

Drexler and Mutombo would probably be similar to watch.

 

[nuraman00]

4. Self-explanatory, I think the teams are stacked that way. I took OKC first, because you know I can't trust Harden to shoot well (though his overall percentage is much better than that one streak). Anything can happen here.

Who makes the halfcourt shot for OKC?

 

[uncfan103]

I didn't realize this was the same james white that went through the legs from the free throw line. So, I'll be changing my pick to him, hopefully he can still fly the way he could 7 years ago

 

[wildturkey]

I watched it the first 2-3 years, and then I stopped, because as you said, it was bad.

It during Friday early afternoon though, so it's not bad to have something to kill time, before all of the good stuff starts.

What time is Russillo's radio show? I never hear promos for him where I live (and I listen to a lot of sports radio, I usually flip between 2-3 different streams).

SVP and Russillo is 1 to 4pm EST on radio. It also simulcast on TV on ESPNEWS but only the first two hours (1 to 3). I'm not positive, but I think you can download a podcast of the show on ESPN too if you miss it. It's good stuff. Van Pelt and Russillo are genuinely friends so nothing seems forced with their jokes. Plus, they try really hard to be fair and objective with what they cover. You don't get the usual slurpage of certain teams and players you get with other ESPN shows.

And I was stunned by the Celeb game. It wasn't half bad as a form of entertainment

 

[nuraman00]

SVP and Russillo is 1 to 4pm EST on radio. It also simulcast on TV on ESPNEWS but only the first two hours (1 to 3). I'm not positive, but I think you can download a podcast of the show on ESPN too if you miss it. It's good stuff. Van Pelt and Russillo are genuinely friends so nothing seems forced with their jokes. Plus, they try really hard to be fair and objective with what they cover. You don't get the usual slurpage of certain teams and players you get with other ESPN shows.

And I was stunned by the Celeb game. It wasn't half bad as a form of entertainment

Ok, the timing probably doesn't work out for the west coast then. (What state do you live in)?

At 10AM on West, they air Jim Rome, or local programming.

I might try a podcast, just to see what it's like. I don't know SVP outside of SC, and on SC, he's just a host, so it's not like he has that insightful of a role.

 

[wildturkey]

I'm in VA. If you're West Coast then yeah, it starts at 10am. You can stream directly from the ESPN radio site if your station isn't playing it.

 

[Sackataters]

Ok, the timing probably doesn't work out for the west coast then. (What state do you live in)?

At 10AM on West, they air Jim Rome, or local programming.

I used to like Rome, back when I lived in UT. But, his whole routine is sooo predictable and annoying, really. I especially hate when he does his Sanyo keyboard routine of replaying stupid clips and sounds, over, and over.

Matt Money Smith and Petros are the best sports talk around IMO.

 

[MHSL82]

Who makes the halfcourt shot for OKC?

Westbrook, Horry, and then Maya Moore because I'm sexist.

 

[nuraman00]

I used to like Rome, back when I lived in UT. But, his whole routine is sooo predictable and annoying, really. I especially hate when he does his Sanyo keyboard routine of replaying stupid clips and sounds, over, and over.

Matt Money Smith and Petros are the best sports talk around IMO.

I don't like Petros and Money.

I only listen to Rome to see if he's going to interview athletes. If he does, then I'll listen. If he doesn't, or if I don't like the athletes he's going to interview, then I listen to something else.

 

[nuraman00]

Westbrook, Horry, and then Maya Moore because I'm sexy.

Fixed.

 

[MHSL82]

Fixed.

No, I had it right. I'm not sexy, especially after my first child was born (if my wife can use that excuse, why can't I?). Too bad Maya Moore isn't sexy, otherwise you could correct it to this:

Westbrook, Horry, and then Maya Moore because she's sexy.

 

[nuraman00]

No, I had it right. I'm not sexy, especially after my first child was born (if my wife can use that excuse, why can't I?).

You're right. You're not just sexy after your child was born. You're super sexy, like the actor portraying a dad in this video:

[YOUTUBE]obC-o1UXkyg[/YOUTUBE]