All-Star weekend kicks off tonight with the Rising Stars Challenge. This year, it's Team Shaq featuring Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson vs. Team Chuck with Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried and Kawhi Leonard. So, which young guns will put on the best show tonight?
Team Shaq has to have the edge, boasting the three best scoring point guards in a game historically dominated by that position. Shaq has Irving (the game's best player), Lillard (the game's best rookie) and Kemba Walker, and those are just his point guards. Warriors teammates Harrison Barnes and Thompson will provide nice length and shooting on the wings, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Dion Waiters are two more hard-nosed slashers that will benefit from the fast pace. Unfortunately for Shaq, his team's main weakness, size, was made weaker when Andre Drummond was declared out for the game.
As for team Chuck, he's lead by an active frontcourt with Davis, Faried and Leonard, to go along with the perimeter scoring of Wizards guard Bradley Beal. Flashy Spaniard Ricky Rubio will run the point with Isaiah Thomas and Brandon Knight. Nikola Vucevic and Alexey Shved will provide a European infusion off the bench.
Prediction time. I don't see the lack of size hurting Team Shaq too much in a game like this. While star Kyrie Irving may relax a bit with the All-Star game Sunday, I expect Lillard, Walker and Kidd-Gilchrist to keep it in high gear and win the game for Team Shaq. My MVP pick is Lillard. With his skills, 30 points and 10 assists should come easily tonight as he and Shaq get revenge on Chuck after last year's defeat in their inaugural game.
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