Handicapping All-Star Saturday

   While the superstars won't be on the court until Sunday night, the competition of All-Star Saturday always provides entertainment for the fans. With a new format built for cross-conference showdowns, tonight's contests should be plenty entertaining. Here's the predictions:

Skills Challenge

   Tony Parker will try to join Dwyane Wade as the only back-to-back winner of this event. He enters tonight's Challenge as the favorite, but tonight, I think youth will be served when rookie Damian Lillard wins the event. Lillard will be giving max effort after a poor shooting performance in last night's Rising Stars Challenge, and the Skills Challenge is usually a case of who wants it most.

    Sixers All-Star Jrue Holiday is the other name to watch here. His all-around point guard play makes him a contender. And of course, Jeremy Lin will try to reclaim some of his mid-February popularity from last year as he will be playing with the home crowd's support. 

   But in the end, watch Lillard to be hustling and become the first rookie to win the Skills Challenge. 

Three-Point Contest

   Conventional wisdom says that the three 6'10" white three-point specialists should be favored tonight, but that's not the history of this contest. 

   Matt Bonner, Ryan Anderson and Steve Novak will try win at their own game tonight while facing point guards Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry and Pacers swingman Paul George. I think the sweet-shooting guards will face off in the finals tonight, with Curry winning. 

   Irving and Curry are relied upon by their teams to catch fire often, so they're used to putting together a string of makes. George winning would be a true upset, but two of the last three winners, Paul Pierce and Kevin Love, aren't known as three-point marksmen. 

Slam Dunk Contest

   The NBA saves the most anticipated contest for last tonight, as not four but six hyper-athletes will try to amaze fans with a creative and never-before-seen dunk.

   This is truly anyone's contest, as five of the six players are relatively unknown commodities when it comes to dunking. Will Jeremy Evans repeat? Was last night's Rising Stars Challenge just a warm-up for Kenneth Faried? Will Gerald "Cupcake" Green bring another pastry into the mix? Will rookie Terrence Ross win what DeMar DeRozan never could? Will Eric Bledsoe's lack of size benefit him? And will James White live up to his reputation as "Best Dunker You've Never Heard Of"?

   I don't have answers to all of my many questions, but I am picking the favorite, James White here. He's in the rare position of sleeper-turned-favorite and I think he has something up hi sleeve that will shock us all. It's been years since the dunk contest has had true star power, but this year's lineup is very solid and will not disappoint.   

All-Star Saturday starts at 8:30 Eastern tonight. Check back tomorrow for the full All-Star Game preview. Follow @undergroundNBA 

Which Rising Stars Will Shine?

   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.

Giving the Spurs Their Due

   For the third year in a row, the Spurs have one of the NBA's two best records. And for the third year in a row, no one is talking about them. And while this San Antonio team will never be measured on regular season accomplishments, it's time to talk about just how good they are.
   After beating Chicago, the NBA's other max-effort team, the Spurs now have the best record in the league at 41-12. They've won 14 of their last 15 games. But perhaps more impressively, they've done it without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli for long portions of this stretch. The reason: Mr. Tony Parker.
   Parker, who's conveniently never mentioned as a top point guard, has elevated his play amid these injuries to Duncan and Ginobli. If the MVP voting were held today, Parker would finish third. Right behind LeBron and Durant. That's good company.
   Parker is carrying the scoring load for the Spurs, and yet it hasn't effected his playmaking. When he's not hitting shots, he's driving into the lane, then finding open teammates for 3's. But Parker didn't even play last night, and the Spurs still went to Chicago and beat a good Bulls team. The reason: Gregg Popovich.
   We know Pop is the best coach in the NBA, which makes it very hard for him to still get recognition for his coaching. Seemingly every year, Popovich could win Coach of the Year. His ability to keep a team competitive no matter who's on the court is unmatched. Which is why the Spurs can compete without their stars. I mean, remember this game?
   And it's not just his preparation and motivation that sets Pop apart. He's the decision-maker on draft day when the Spurs find steals such as Parker, Ginobli and Kawhi Leonard. He's resurrected the careers of Boris Diaw and Danny Green. When Duncan retires, the greatest era of Spurs basketball will be over, and he will thank his coach before all others.
   So, what'a ahead for San Antonio? Probably a bunch of easy wins and then a top-two seed in the West. But it matters what they do from there. After losing to the eight-seed Grizzlies in 2011 and blowing a 2-0 series lead to the Thunder last year, the current Spurs need to step up their game in the playoffs.
   The Spurs know by now that they don't get their due credit. All they can do is win a championship. Then maybe people will notice them.

(Finally) Fully Loaded Clippers

   I always write about the Heat and Lakers, I know. And they played each other today in a hotly contested game, I know. But today I'm writing about their opening act, Clippers-Knicks. In a battle of conference challengers, but not yet favorites, the Clips emerged at the better team representing the better conference.
   With Lob City having all their guys for only the second time all season, people got to see the best bench in the league. The Clipper bench was +78 and really won this game for L.A. With only a one-point lead to start the fourth, Jamal Crawford and Co. piled it on and gave Chris Paul a nice cushion to close out the game.
   This one was personal for Crawford, looking to score against his former team. He lead the Clippers with 27 points. Most importantly for L.A. is that they are getting everything from the bench. scoring from Crawford, size from Ryan Hollins, smarts from Lamar Odom and Grant Hill, and torrid perimeter energy from Eric Bledsoe and Matt Barnes. With such a deep rotation, the Clippers' perfect lineup will change from game to game, but this looked like a team today that will compete with the Thunder and Spurs out west.
   Late in games, it's unclear what Vinny Del Negro will do, but here's his best bet for tight games. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are the two certainties in the closing minutes, and the size and rebounding of Deandre Jordan makes him a certainty as well, but what about the other two perimeter spots?
   On offense, Crawford must be on the court for his uncanny bail-out ability and floor-spreading. Chauncey Billups is the fifth guy here. His shot-making and high IQ make him a necessity. On defense, Bledsoe replaces liability Crawford and Hill subs in for Billups to give some added length on D.
   Even though the season is slightly more than halfway done, this resounding win over the Knicks is essentially the start of the Clippers second act. The team is at full strength finally and  with Chris Paul leading the way, you know Lob City is thinking Finals or bust.
   Quick words on the Knicks: Not even a Herculean effort from Melo could have New York tonight. His 42 points were only accompanied by only one teammate, Raymond Felton, scoring in double figures. J.R. Smith had his big chance to outplay fellow Sixth Man contender Crawford, and he failed. Smith went 1 for 9 shooting as he and his bench crew were outclassed by the superior Crawford and Clips reserves.

Veterans on the Block

Rudy Gay was the first domino in what could be a very bust trade deadline for notable veterans. So, will a longtime star on your team be dealt? Will a proven, but struggling veteran be moved? Anything is possible, as KG once said. And the rumors are heating up with the trade deadline just 12 days away. 

Pau Gasol

Probably the hardest big name to figure out this season. A month ago, a Gasol deal looked imminent, but a nice-stretch when L.A. was sans Dwight Howard has kept Gasol a Laker up to this point. Denver was once viewed as a likely candidate, but it's doubtful George Karl would want to break up a young and exciting team that is starting to click. Minnesota is another hot destination, but there's no one player outside of Kevin Love that the Lakers would cherish. My gut says Gasol remains a Laker, as they are never a team to give up the biggest name in a trade. But then again, who knows with this year's Lakers? 

Carlos Boozer/Andrea Bargnani  

Rumors of a swap have gotten these two guys lumped together. I don't think a deal gets done though. Boozer gets the edge with Bargnani's shooting way down this year, but there's so much not to like about these two. Bad contracts worse defense are two things synonymous with these guys. The Raptors clearly want to be active on the block this season, which is why Bargnani is the more likely trade target. But I expect the Bulls to play out the season with Boozer, then grant their fans' wish this summer when they amnesty him. 

Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett

So difficult to imagine either of these guys not wearing Celtic green, but that may be the reality in Boston. Pierce's name has come up with the Clippers this year, which would send Eric Bledsoe as the centerpiece to Boston. Bledsoe is of starter caliber in this league, but would the Clippers move him with Chris Paul unsigned  after this season? Also, getting Bledsoe would surely mean the Celtics trade Rajon Rondo next season. Kevin Garnett wants to be a Celtic, so I believe he is less likely to move than Pierce. Then again.

Amar'e Stoudemire 

Here's someone with a contract that truly seems untradable. Amar'e clearly is not a fit in the Knicks gameplan, but his background and contract will ensure he stays a Knick throughout the season. He has provided scoring in his reserve role, but at the same time, he gets in Carmelo's way. In the best season of his career, the Knicks are clearly Carmelo's team. Don't expect to hear Stoudemire's name in many rumors until his team gets bounced by Indiana in the playoffs. 

J.J. Redick 

I know Redick is not of the talent or status of the aforementioned guys, but I wanted to list at least one guy that will surely be traded. The Magic want an expiring contract and a first-rounder for Redick, and plenty of his suitors are capable of meeting that criteria. So far this year, the Wolves, Bulls, Bucks and Grizzlies have confirmed interest in Redick. As of today, Milwaukee is the frontrunner. Redick's shooting should keep them in the East playoffs and Beno Udrih plus a mid first-round pick should satisfy Orlando. Every playoff team needs three-point shooting and Redick will provide that while in the best season of his career.   

 

Heat Begin Homestand With Win

   The Heat began a five-game homestand with a win over the Bobcats last night. It was only a five-point win despite Charlotte not having Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and it won't get any easier from here.
   In the next three games, the Heat will face the Rockets, Clippers and Lakers in a stretch that is bound to entertain. They close the homestand against Portland, who rallied from 13 down to beat Miami last month. And oh yeah, they get to open a road trip after that against OKC.
   Not only will this stretch be so interesting because it contains three national games, but it also will show Miami, the class of the weaker East, go up against a typical West schedule. With four of those five games at home, Miami is still expected to do well against the tough competition.
   And oh by the way, how 'bout LeBron's game last night?
   All he had was one of the statistically greatest shooting games in the last ten years. 13 for 14 shooting to cap off an outstanding 31-8-8 line. Just an amazing game to show how far LeBron has come along. With his three-point shooting a career high, there are no bad shots for LeBron anymore.
   Last night though, he didn't need any threes, or even long two's for that matter. LeBron took every one of his shots from the paint and made Charlotte pay for giving him that space. We know there's no one more physically dominant than LeBron, but when he uses his skills and size to go 13 for 14, please, more teams besides Charlotte would have trouble.

   Back to the next five game for the Heat. Here's the skinny on what they can expect:
   Rockets: A truly fun matchup here. The Rockets have the ability to compete offensively with Miami and      the Wade-Harden matchup is special. The Heat's aggressive defense could run wild as Houston leads the league in turnovers.
   Clippers: Obviously will be more interesting if Chris Paul is back. The Clips will try to use Griffin and Jordan to punish Miami inside, but Lob City's weak perimeter defense will mean go-time for LeBron and Wade
   Lakers: The first of two money games in this stretch. This is almost guaranteed to be a close game, especially with Gasol playing well lately.
   Blazers: The Heat will get their revenge on Portland, who will be in the midst of a long road trip. The Blazers are a poor road team and sunny Miami won't be kind to them.
   @Thunder: A must-watch sporting event with football over, the Finals rematch part deaux and possible 2013 preview. LeBron vs. Durant is the NBA's marquee player matchup and KD would like nothing more than to exact revenge at home after the Christmas Day loss.
 
 
 

Lakers win, Heat lose

   Yes, the title of the post is correct. I know that first part my cause a "Wait, What!?" reaction, but yes, the Lakers won a road game. Meanwhile the Heat lost a road game to a solid Pacers team, but the numbers say that's not terribly surprising. 

  

   Let's continue with the Heat. LeBron's 28 points and 9-11 free-throw shooting indicate a nice game. But he never could assert his will on this game in the second half. In the third quarter, LeBron allowed the Heat to fall further behind and never seemed like a force. 

  Chris Bosh was a near no show. His 13 points and 2 rebounds was only outdone by Ray Allen's bagel for worst Heat performance of the night. Dwyane Wade looked re-energized at times, actually beating out LeBron in every stat category but points. But still, he wasn't the Wade who dropped 41 on this team last year in a series-clinching game. 

   The only other Heat player to contribute to the scoring sheet was Shane Battier. He's really struggled shooting this year, but his 11 points were needed off the bench. However, Battier's game last night will be remembered more for getting dominated by David West on the defensive end. 

   Some quick notes on Indiana. They are 3-1 against the Knicks and Heat (top 2 teams in East). More notably is that their three wins have all been dominant. I'm not sure that Danny Granger's return can vault them to any new heights, but this defense is as good as any in the league. The Pacers can expect a dogfight all year with the Bulls just to win their division, but they have the ability to shut down offenses and should be able to win one playoff series. 

   On to the Lakers. Six of the eight guys who played scored in double figures and the Lakers were able to overcome poor second-half shooting to beat the Wolves. 

   The first quarter was a dream scenario for the Lakers. Every shot was falling for them and Pau Gasol was the leading scorer. Gasol was the best player on the floor last night. His 22 point, 12 board game was made even better by a perfect night at the line. Was it an audition for a trade suitor? Who knows. But Pau looked confident. He knew that his Dwight-less team needed him and he delivered. 

   Nash had a very solid 17-7-7 game while being guarded by three different guys smaller than him. Kobe continued his double-double run, getting 17 points and 12 boards on a bad shooting night. Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison both continued their good play, getting the tough baskets and even tougher rebounds. 

   It was a win the Lakers needed and they got it. They played like an urgent team and that must continue. With the season half over and a road-heavy schedule ahead, more easy wins like this need to some. What impressed me the most: They scored 111 points while shooting 42 percent. Not many teams can do that. 

   So if you're tried of hearing about the Lakers and Heat, I'm sorry, but here's the deal. I'll stop writing about those teams when they stop being interesting. I promise.