Ball Bros All-Star Picks

2018 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Participants:

World Team — Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dillion Brooks, Joel Embiid, Buddy Hield, Lauri Markkanen, Jamal Murray, Frank Ntilikina, Domantas Sabonis, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons

U.S. Team — Jaylen Brown, John Collins, Kris Dunn, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell, Dennis Smith Jr., Jayson Tatum, Taurean Prince, and De’Aaron Fox

Jaray’s MVP: Kyle Kuzma

Kuzma’s a natural scorer and is without a doubt going to take this game seriously. He even said he wanted to go for MVP:

Chatman’s MVP: Ben Simmons

The potential rookie of the year, who many think was snubbed of an All Star appearance. I mean I don’t know if I’d go as far as to say he was an all star snub, but the fact he was even in conversation speaks volumes to him as a player. D. Mitchell will probably bring scoring cause that’s what he do. Kuzma will probably bring flash and flare. But they’re both on the same team. Might detract from one another. Ben and Joel on the same team and should be interesting. One of them will win it but I’m leaning towards Ben cause I sense a {near} triple double.

Josh’s MVP: Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell and Ben Simmons are the front runners for rookie of the year right now. Both should have big nights. Guards usually dominate this event. Mitchell is going to get off without a doubt because he’s going to catch fire from three. Threes are more points than twos so I’ll take him to be the leading scorer and the MVP.

Slam Dunk Contest Participants:

Victor Oladipo, Larry Nance Jr., Dennis Smith Jr., and Donovan Mitchell

Jaray’s Winner: Dennis Smith Jr.

DSJ is my guy. We’re both from North Carolina so you know I have to root for him. I think he’s going to be the fan favorite out of the four because he has the most personality. The kid can really jump too. Pencil him in as the champ.

Chatman’s Winner: Victor Oladipo

Now look. Vic got some pedigree over these young bucks. He’s competed in dunk contests all throughout high school and was even in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest just a few years ago in 2015, where he finished 2nd to high flyer Zach Lavine. That’s what gives him the edge to me. He’s been here before. He knows what it takes. And with a rejuvenated season under his belt right now, and a baddie like Bria Myles supporting him, there’s nothing he can’t do. Actually, if my man brings Bria Myles on the court for anything, like just to stand there and watch him put in a basic two hander, he automatically wins in my book.

Josh’s Winner: Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell again! He’s going to show out I’m telling y’all. He’s a killer and I knows he wants to win. He really wanted to be in the contest badly. Now, he has his opportunity and is going to show out. I mean, have y’all seen his dunks:

Three-Point Contest Participants:

Eric Gordon, Klay Thompson, Bradley Beal, Paul George, Kyle Lowry, Devin Booker, Wayne Ellington, and Tobias Harris

Jaray’s Winner: Devin Booker

Devin Booker has such a natural and smooth stroke. He’s not going to get tired. He can shoot all day. Stamina is as important as anything in this event. Also, Booker thought he played well enough to be an All-Star. He’s got something to prove. He’s going to win it.

Chatman’s Winner: Klay Thompson

KLAY THOMP CORNER SHOT (BRR)!!!! Bro got a quick trigger and a dead eye to go with it. He the real deadshot (insert terrible photoshop job of Klay’s face over Will Smith’s in Suicide Squad). There’s probably some crazy stat about how fast he releases shots and his accuracy and probably some crazy stat on his corner shots but I don’t need all that. Just trust me when I say Thompson bout to come and show out in the 3-point contest. Last year’s winner, Eric Gordon, will definitely give competition but in Klay we trust.

Josh’s Winner: Eric Gordon

My guy has already proven he can do it. I’m taking him to get another one in a row. All they do out in Houston is shoot threes. I heard a rumor that in practice every player just shoots threes the whole time and nothing else. I’m kidding but I wouldn’t be surprised. Them boys in Houston some shooters. I’m taking Gordon to win it once again.

Skills Challenge Participants:

Spencer Dinwiddie, Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Lauri Markkanen, Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray, Andre Drummond, Lou Williams

Jaray’s Winner: Lou Williams

Lou Will is a killer. He was snubbed from the All-Star game so you know he wants to show off. I expect him to dominate the event and win. He’s got the best handles in the field.

Chatman’s Winner: Lauri Markkanen

Alright so first can we discuss why Dre Drummond is even in the skills challenge when you literally HAVE to knock down a three at some point in the competition 🤣🤣🤣. The man has made 5 three-pointers in his career. GET HIM OUTTA HERE. But back to Lauri. The man has been a stand out for Chicago this year and is looking like he’s been in the league for a lil while when he just a rookie. He definitely has skill and that’s evident. But to be honest the skills challenge is a lil more luck than skill. It all really comes down to who hits that three first. The other stuff pretty easy for professional ballers. I’m just going with the rookie dark horse from Chicago cause literally anyone can win this (except Andre Drummond).

Josh’s Winner: Joel Embiid

The People’s Champ. Joel Embiid. You know everyone there is going to be rooting for him. He’s one of the Unicorns in the league. He can do it all. He’s definitely going to go all out. He’s one of the most competitive guys in the league. He’s my pick.

All-Star Game Participants:

Team LeBron — LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge, Bradley Beal, Goran Dragic, Andre Drummond, Paul George, Victor Oladipo, Kemba Walker, Russell Westbrook

Team Stephen — Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Al Horford, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, Klay Thompson, Karl Anthony-Towns

Jaray’s MVP: Paul George

Paul George is from LA so you know he’ll be a fan favorite. The fans really want him to be a Laker so they’re going to cheering him on hard and showing him love. PG will respond well to that and he’s going to get his shots up. He’s going to be the MVP.

Chatman’s MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

After a certain amount of years I truly think players stop going for MVP and let the young bucks (literal in this case 😂) shine. So I don’t think Bron is gonna go out there and try to dazzle and walk away with an MVP he could easily snag. Also MVPs tend to go to winning teams. I liked Bron’s team before all the injuries, but now Team Steph is looking pretty good now. Giannis SHOULD definitely go out there and make this a statement performance to the league that he’s got next. He’s the future of the league and the All-Star game is where many of players have made their “This is my shit” claims. He’s on a tear so far this season and has a double-double in every game of February except two, so I expect the Greek freak to keep up the superb play.

Josh’s MVP: LeBron James

The King wants another one. Him and KD talked about in their interview that it’s on them to set the tone. So I think they will. Bron or KD will win this one. Bron always hoops at these events so I see him getting a quick start. At the end, he’s going to want to win so he’ll take over. He’ll be the MVP no doubt.