All-Star Weekend Predictions

All-Star Weekend is only a few days away and I am definitely excited for this years festivities. The 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest will be especially fun to watch, but the main event of the weekend will be the All-Star Game on Sunday night. Here are my predictions for how things will go down this weekend!

T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam
Rookie Team
Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento
Derrick Favors, New Jersey
Landry Fields, New York
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers
Wesley Johnson, Minnesota
Greg Monroe, Detroit
Gary Neal, San Antonio
John Wall, Washington

Sophomore Team
DeJuan Blair, San Antonio
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto
Stephen Curry, Golden State
Tyreke Evans, Sacramento
Taj Gibson, Chicago
Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City
Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee
Wesley Matthews, Portland

Winner: Sophomores
I have to give this win to the Sophomores. They have a lot more starters on their team, which means experience will be their advantage. Not to mention, it was this group of Sophomore players, as Rookies, who beat out last years Sophomores in this same challenge. The Rookie team with John Wall and Blake Griffin is intriguing, but I believe the Sophomores have a better team overall. The battle of the bigs will definitely be fun to watch, but look for the Sophomore guards to do lots of damage in the paint and on the perimeter. I predict Blake Griffin to get a record-setting amount of dunks for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and possibly win the MVP award. The award is usually given to a player on the winning team, but Blake will be deserving of it by the end of the night.

Haier Shooting Stars
Team Atlanta: Al Horford (Hawks), Coco Miller (WNBA's Atlanta Dream), Steve Smith (Legend)
Team Chicago: Taj Gibson (Bulls), Cathrine Kraayveld (WNBA's Chicago Sky), Steve Kerr (Legend)
Team Los Angeles: Pau Gasol (Lakers), Tina Thompson (WNBA's L.A. Sparks), Rick Fox (Legend)
Team Texas: Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks), Roneeka Hodges (WNBA's S.A. Silver Stars), Kenny Smith (Legend)

Winner: Team Los Angeles
Last year, Team Texas beat out Team Los Angeles in the finals of this challenge, and I believe home court advantage had a lot to do with it. This year, Team Los Angeles will have home court and they'll want redemption for last year's loss. Team L.A. really has all the components needed to win this challenge. Steve Smith and Steve Kerr are formidable shooters, but I see Team Los Angeles and Team Texas meeting again in the final, with Rick Fox hitting the half-court shot for the win!

Taco Bell Skills Challenge
Participants
Chris Paul, New Orleans
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (2009 Champion)
Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
John Wall, Washington Wizards
Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Winner: Chris Paul, New Orleans
The 4 participants who will be participating in this challenge with Chris Paul will be announced this coming Thursday (2/17) on TNT, but regardless I feel none of the competitors can really match up to Chris Paul's point guard abilities. For the Skills Challenge you need quickness, shooting ability, and passing ability. Looking at all those guards, Chris Paul seems to fit the bill perfectly. I see Westbrook and Rose as serious contenders, but I'll have to give the win to Paul.

Foot Locker 3-Point Contest
Participants
Ray Allen, Boston
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Daniel Gibson, Cleveland
James Jones, Miami
Paul Pierce, Boston
Dorell Wright, Golden State

Winner: Ray Allen, Boston
Arguably one of the best shooters of all time, could this years 3-Point Contest go to anyone but Ray Allen? Allen has broken Reggie Miller's all-time record for 3-pointers made in a career this past week and winning this contest will just be icing on the cake. There are some formidable opponents this year with defending champion Paul Pierce, most improved player candidate Dorell Wright, and the Durantula, but I see none of them beating out Ray Allen for the win. I'm hoping Ray Allen breaks the record for most shots made in the 3-Point Contest too!

Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
Participants
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City
JaVale McGee, Washington

Winner: Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers
When Blake Griffin was announced to be in this years Slam Dunk Contest, was there any question as to who would win the dunk crown? Last years Dunk Contest was not worth remembering, but I believe the excitement and energy will be rejuvenated with this years contest. Griffin will definitely win the crown, but I see DeMar DeRozan giving it one helluva' shot trying to beat out Griffin for the title.

2011 NBA All-Star Game
West Starters
Chris Paul, New Orleans
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
Carmelo Anthony, Denver
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Yao Ming, Houston (will be replaced by a starter of Gregg Popovich's choosing)
West Reserves
Manu Ginobli, San Antonio
Deron Williams, Utah
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
Kevin Love, Minnesota (replaced Yao Ming on the West All-Star Team)

East Starters
Derrick Rose, Chicago
Dwyane Wade, Miami
LeBron James, Miami
Amar'e Stoudemire, New York
Dwight Howard, Orlando
East Reserves
Ray Allen, Boston
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
Rajon Rondo, Boston
Chris Bosh, Miami
Kevin Garnett, Boston
Paul Pierce, Boston
Al Horford, Atlanta

Winner: The East
Last year the two teams duked it out in a close one with the East coming out on top. Dwyane Wade had a stellar performance notching his first ever All-Star MVP award. This year, I believe the East will be on top once again. Their starting 5 is unmatchable. Although the West has a better 13-man roster, the starting 5 of the East is more than enough to win this game. An interesting point to bring up is that last year, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh accounted for over half of the East's points, rebounds, assists, and steals! I wonder if that was a sign of things to come this year? Not if Derrick Rose has anything to say about it. I believe this is Derrick Rose's year to win the All-Star Game MVP Award. It might be a long-shot prediction, but I believe Rose will have an amazing game.

So do you guys agree/disagree with my predictions? Please leave a comment below! Thanks for reading guys.