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Into The Bears’ Den: All-Star Weekend Predictions

By Jakob Eliason

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) shoots the basketball against Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) shoots the basketball against Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Rising Stars Challenge:

The Rising Stars Challenge kicks off the All-Star Weekend events every year. The teams are labeled “USA” and “World” and are full of first and second year NBA players (also called rookies/sophomores) chosen by the NBA teams’ assistant coaches.

Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA): The World team absolutely destroy Team USA. Imagine Nikola Jokic and Kristaps Porzingis on the court AT THE SAME TIME. Doesn’t anyone else salivate? Nikola Jokic, the NBA’s newest passing guru, dropping dimes to the Unicorn, the PORZIN-GOD? That’s absolutely glorious. Finally, after flying under the radar, the world will finally know Nikola Jokic.

Blake Meyer (@buhhlockaye): My prediction? The 76ers, of all teams, show out! At this very moment, Jahlil Okafor is still on the roster so I am counting him. Okafor and Dario Saric are gonna show that the big guys deserve love too. Even ones that play for Philadelphia.  Okafor is a great scorer and Saric may be the best young player you’ve never heard of. Don’t be surprised if Saric has a 25 & 12 game and puts the whole world on notice.

Oh, and Devin Booker is dropping 40. Because that’s what he does. The man is a SHOOTER.

Jake Finnen (#Twitterless)

This game is about two things, competitiveness and exposure. These players are going to try and turn as many heads as possible, and if you have not been watching this season, you are in for a treat.

First off, get NBA League Pass so you can watch these players every day, but Marquese Chriss, Malcolm Brogdon, and Domantas Sabonis will establish themselves as the future of the league, almost stealing the spotlight away from eventual Rookie of the Year, Joel Embiid.

Jokic will somehow post a triple-double in this game, while Team USA wins in a 144-138 point win behind 30+ point outings from Karl-Anthony Towns and Myles Turner.

That being said, there is one thing that will be missing from this game…defense. Both teams lack consistently scoring guards so expect Devin Booker to be the bright spot in the backcourt. I do not like him, but he is so dang good at basketball.

Jackson Munyon (Jackson_Munyon4)

Like every All-Star event, this game will be a shootout. I would look for D’Angelo Russell and Buddy Hield to go back and forth with several threes, but ultimately the World team will come out on top. The combination of Kristaps Porzingis, Jamal Murray, and Buddy Hield is a recipe for a lot of points. D’Angelo will put on a show that will be sure to entertain, and this game is always exciting to see what the future of the league looks like. The game should be close, but in the end I expect Jamal Murray to break out his inner-sniper and hit a dagger from deep.

MVP Prediction: Jamal Murray

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