"By The Time I Get to Arizona..."

It may not count for anything, but who cares? I love NBA All-Star weekend. The All-Star events start tonite @ 7pm with the celebrity game and end on sunday evening with the actual All-Star game. The following is rundown of my predictions, etc.

Rookies vs. Sophmore Challenge:



maybe the worst jerseys ever?

Rookie Team Roster:

Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trail Blazers
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Sophomore Team roster:

Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jeff Green, Oklahoma City Thunder
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers
Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons
Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia Sixers

Rookies have not beat the Sophomores since 2002, but I think that changes this year. The rookie team is loaded with talent.

Final Score Prediction: Rookies 142 Sophomores 121

'Rookies vs. Sophomores' MVP Prediction:



Chicago Bulls PG, Derrick Rose

3-Point Shootout:



Participants:

Mike Bibby, Atlanta Hawks
Daequan Cook, Miami Heat
Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
Jason Kapono, Toronto Raptors
Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
Roger Mason, San Antonio Spurs

My prediction: Mike Bibby



Dunk Contest:



Dwight Howard looked pretty good last year, probably going to look even better this year. I am picking him to win it again.

Dunk Contest Participants:

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trailblazers
J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets

The 58th Annual All-Star Game:

I would love to see the current roster wear the jerseys from the last time the All-Star game was in Phoenix way back in 1995



anything would be better than these hideous things:







All-Star Roster:

Eastern Conference

Starters:

Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers*
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics*
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic*

Reserves:

Devin Harris New Jersey Nets
Mo Williams Cleveland Cavaliers
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks*

Western Conference

Starters:

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets*
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers*
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns*
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Reserves:

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
David West, New Orleans Hornets
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers*
Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix Suns*

* denotes that I voted as an All-Star

All-Star Game Winner Prediction:



Final Score Prediction:

East 136 West 124

All-Star Game MVP Prediction:



LBJ23 won his first All-Star MVP in 2006 and then won his 2nd last year in New Orleans. LeBron is playing so well that I just don't see anyone else being able to match him in this game. MVP # 3 is coming up on sunday nite.

For more info:

http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/