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NBA: A Preview of All-Star Saturday Night

By Jared Brownlee

Feb 5, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs point guard Cory Joseph (5) during the second half at Verizon Center. The Spurs defeated the Wizards 125 - 118 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs point guard Cory Joseph (5) during the second half at Verizon Center. The Spurs defeated the Wizards 125 - 118 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the trade deadline one week away, teams and players will begin their four-day break on Friday for what is considered to be one of the biggest events on the NBA calendar: All-Star Weekend.

This year, all of the celebrities and stars with align in New Orleans, “The Big Easy,” for the annual Rising Stars Challenge, Shooting Stars Challenge, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest. The weekend will be capped off Sunday night with the 63rd All-Star game. Below is a look at some of the top events and a preview of what to expect.

BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge

Friday night, 9 p.m. ET, TNT

Team Hill
Damian Lillard– Trail Blazers
Bradley Beal– Wizards
Andre Drummond– Pistons
Harrison Barnes– Warriors
Terrence Jones– Rockets
Giannis Antetokounmpo– Bucks
Jonas Valanciunas– Raptors
Dion Waiters– Cavaliers
Miles Plumlee– Suns

Team Webber
Anthony Davis, Pelicans
Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers
Tim Hardaway Jr., Knicks
Trey Burke, Jazz
Jared Sullinger, Celtics
Mason Plumlee, Nets
Victor Oladipo, Magic
Steven Adams, Thunder
Kelly Olynyk– Celtics

Chris Webber selected the Pelicans’ Davis as the top pick in the draft for the two teams, while Grant Hill chose Lillard. Beal, Davis and Drummond highlight a few of the top sophomore players while MCW, Burke and Oladipo look to make their case for Rookie of the Year on the big stage.

Foot Locker 3-Point Contest

Saturday night, coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET, TNT

Eastern Conference
Arron Afflalo, Magic
Bradley Beal, Wizards
Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers
Joe Johnson, Nets

Western Conference
Stephen Curry, Warriors
Marco Belinelli, Spurs
Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Kevin Love, Timberwolves

Irving returns this year as the defending champ, having beaten Matt Bonner in last year’s contest. Curry is being labeled by many as one of the best shooters ever, so let’s see if he can cap off his All-Star starting, career-year by winning this contest. Here are each participant’s 3-point shooting numbers this season:

Afflalo- 92 3PM-216 3PA, 42%
Beal- 85 3PM-197 3PA, 43%
Johnson- 92 3PM-234 3PA, 39%
Irving- 88 3PM-241 3PA, 36%
Curry- 167 3PM- 408 3PA, 40%
Belinelli- 79 3PM-177 3PA, 44%
Lillard- 146 3PM-364 3PA, 40%
Love- 108 3PM-297 3PA, 36%

Sprite Slam Dunk Contest

Saturday night, coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET, TNT

Eastern Conference
Paul George
John Wall
Terrence Ross

Western Conference

Damian Lillard
Harrison Barnes
Ben McLemore

This could turn out to be one of the best dunk contests since 2000, which had Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. George is the biggest name on the list as an MVP candidate for the Pacers this season and was in the contest two years ago. Ross is the defending champ, winning it last year by jumping over a kid and going between the legs at the same time. At 6-foot-3, Lillard is the smallest player of the crew. The sleepers this year: Barnes, who has his share of posterizing dunks, and McLemore, the 6-foot-5 shooter who has a serious bounce to his game.