Oftentimes more entertaining than the main event, All-Star Saturday Night captures the imaginations of basketball fans like no other event. After all, this is the one night on the NBA calendar when we get to see nothing but highlights.
The four events are the same as they were in 2013, but the overall has changed a bit. This year, the entire evening will be divided along conference lines, with the East and West each representing a different charity. Paul George and Steph Curry are the respective captains for each side, but what that responsibility entails is anyone’s guess at this point.
As for what to expect on Saturday, get used to seeing a lot of Damian Lillard. The first-time all-star is in three of the four events. In fact, just get used to full-on Lillard-mania all weekend since he’s booked all three days.
Here’s a closer look at a few more interesting storylines heading into Saturday night:
Sears Shooting Stars
The night starts off its lamest event by a wide margin. Shooting Stars is basically a glorified two-ball competition, and no matter how many wrinkles they’ve thrown into it, the event has just never resonated. At least until now. Maybe.
In an ingenious move, a pair of teams will feature father-son combos. New York Knicks rookie Tim Hardway Jr. and his five-time All-Star father will suit up for one of the Eastern squads, while one of the Western teams will see Curry team up with his old man, former-Raptor Dell. Rounding out those groups will be the WNBA’s Elena Della Donne and Becky Hammon, respectively.
The other two teams in the competition include last year’s winners Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash and a team comprised of Kevin Durant, Karl Malone and Skylar Diggins.
What we hope will happen: The father-son teams meet in the final for a head-to-head family feud.
What we think will happen: Durant goes Slim Reaper on the competition and basically single-handedly wins it.
Taco Bell Skills Challenge
The Skills Challenge may be the evening’s most lopsided event, as the pairs representing the East are completely overmatched.
Raptors first-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan and impressive Milwaukee Bucks rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo will team up, as will Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo. While the West will be represented by Trey Burke and last year’s champion Lillard, as well as the pairing of Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson.
The DeRozan-Antetokounmpo selection is particularly puzzling as neither player seems suited to a contest designed to showcase point-guard skills.
What we hope will happen: DeRozan and Antetokounmpo showcase a level of speed, ball-handling and passing that no one knew they ever had and finish with a nasty off-the-backboard slam to win.
What we think will happen: Dragic and Jackson tear the course up, denying Lillard his chance at a repeat.
Foot Locker Three-Point Contest
This will be the most competitive event of the night. With the exception of a few glaring omissions (like Klay Thompson and Kyle Korver), the field is about what you’d expect and includes last year’s champ, Kyrie Irving.
New to the event this year is the all money ball rack, which players are allowed to place in a spot of their choosing in a bid for maximum points.
Here’s a quick rundown of the eight competitors.
Aaron Afflalo
Orlando Magic, SG, 3PM: 93, 3P%: .425
Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards, SG, 3PM: 89, 3P%: .430
Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers, PG, 3PM: 90, 3P%: .369
Joe Johnson
Brooklyn Nets, SG/SF, 3PM: 94, 3P%: .390
Marco Belinelli
San Antonio Spurs, SG, 3PM: 81, 3P%: .448
Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors, PG, 3PM: 171, 3P%: .415
Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers, PG, 3PM: 149, 3P%: .404
Kevin Love
Minnesota Timberwolves, PF, 3PM: 114, 3P%: .370
What we hope will happen: Kevin Love, the lone big man in the field, surprises everyone and wins the competition.
What we think will happen: Curry solidifies his status as best shooter in the world, drilling a perfect money-ball rack in the final and running away with the contest.
Sprite Slam Dunk
For the first time since 2000, the NBA got a genuinely awesome field for All-Star Saturday Night’s marquee event: Paul George, Terrence Ross, John Wall, Harrison Barnes, Lillard and Ben McLemore.
So the contest will be equally awesome, right?
Wrong.
Unfortunately, because of drastic new changes to the competition format, this year may fall into the same abysmal territory as the infamous wheel.
Proceedings will be broken into two rounds. The first will be the “freestyle round” where the three dunkers from each conference will form what are essentially layup lines and try to throwing down as many slams as possible in 90 seconds. Judges will then vote two competitors from each conference into the final “battle round,” which is more like the traditional format. Except the winner will be decided by a fan vote. Ugh.
What we hope will happen: Ross defies the odds and repeats as champion, somehow overcoming McLemore’s insane 720 dunk in the battle round.
What we think will happen: George’s ascendency to superstardom continues with a pretty good showing—mainly because fans will actually be able to see him dunk.
