The NBA All-Star Game is right around the corner and the best players in the league are ready to compete in contests, as well as the game itself. The events will take place in Charlotte (home of the Hornets). Three competitions will be held and one game featuring Team Lebron and Team Giannis. The Skills Challenge, The 3-Point Contest, and The Dunk Contest, as well as the All-Star Game, will air on TNT.
2019 Taco Bell Skills Challenge
Saturday, Feb. 16 | 8 p.m. ET (first event)
Participants:
Mike Conley, Grizzlies
Luka Doncic, Mavericks
De’Aaron Fox, Kings
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Kyle Kuzma, Lakers
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Nikola Vucevic, Magic
Trae Young, Hawks
My Prediction to win: De’Aaron Fox will win because of his agility, quickness, and ability to knock down shots in pressured situations. He shoots 46% from the field and averages 17.2 points per game. The skills challenge is all about how fast players can get through obstacles, accurately pass the ball and effectively shoot the rock. Fox will use his blinding speed to outrun other competitors in the challenge and come out with the victory.
2019 MTN Dew Three-Point Contest
Saturday, Feb. 16 | 8 p.m. ET (second event)
Participants:
Devin Booker, Suns
Seth Curry, Trail Blazers
Stephen Curry, Warriors
Danny Green, Raptors
Joe Harris, Nets
Buddy Hield, King
Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Khris Middleton, Bucks
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Kemba Walker, Hornets
My Prediction to win: Returning to his hometown of Charlotte, Seth Curry who has consistently proven himself to be an amazing shooter, shooting 47.8% from beyond the arc throughout the season, is clearly one of the best competitors in the contest. Seth, throughout games, makes threes at all times whether it’s 30 seconds in or 5 seconds to go. This aspect has made him a tireless player, which is a key unspoken component of this three-point contest. Seth Curry also has the ability to constantly knock down threes from the first ball on the first rack to the last money ball which along with perfected mechanics, will give him a solid advantage in this year’s 3 point competition.
2019 AT&T Slam Dunk
Saturday, Feb. 16 | 8 p.m. ET (third event)
Participants:
Miles Bridges, Hornets
John Collins, Hawks
Hamidou Diallo, Thunder
Dennis Smith Jr., Knicks
My Prediction to win: Miles Bridges, playing for the Charlotte Hornets, will show off his power and creativity in the Slam Dunk Contest. The hometown fans will definitely be cheering for him to take home the trophy as this will help him in securing the victory. Bridges told Mike McCray of the Charlotte Observer, “I’m definitely going to have to do a lot of great dunks that people haven’t seen before… The stuff I’ve got planned is pretty good.” The Dunk Contest is all about having the most creative dunks and effectively executing it. I think Bridges will shock the NBA with his creativity and win this contest.
2019 NBA All-Star Game
Sunday, Feb. 17 | 8 p.m. ET
Team LeBron:
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Ben Simmons, LaMarcus Aldridge, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bradley Beal, Dwyane Wade
Team Giannis:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kemba Walker, Khris Middleton, Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, D’Angelo Russell, Nikola Vucevic, Kyle Lowry, Dirk Nowitzki
My Prediction to win: Team LeBron will come out victorious because of the players LeBron strategically drafted. Yes, all All-Stars are amazing, but LeBron’s starting five will outwork and dominate Giannis’s starting five. Both benches are filled with really great players but Giannis will need Curry and Walker as well as himself to play extraordinarily well in order to prevail over LeBron’s dynamite team. Overall, LeBron has a better team with more skilled players that will play well with each other and ultimately win the 2019 All-Star Game.