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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 events at All-Star Weekend where Bucks could compete

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Eastern Conference All-Star Team drives to the basket against the Western Conference All-Star Team during the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2017 NBA All Star Weekend on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Eastern Conference All-Star Team drives to the basket against the Western Conference All-Star Team during the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2017 NBA All Star Weekend on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /

5. Rising Stars Challenge

The NBA Rookie Challenge was begun back in 1994 as an opportunity to showcase the league’s best young talent. Soon the event began to include not only rookies but sophomores as well, with each group facing each other in an exhibition game. For the past few seasons the format has shifted to now field teams of first and second-year players divided into “Team World” and “Team USA.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared in the game during both his rookie and sophomore seasons, and currently-injured forward Jabari Parker played in the game during his sophomore season. Last season, Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon was a part of Team USA in his first year.

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This season, Malcolm Brogdon has a strong case to return to the event, more so than just his status as the reigning Rookie of the Year. Although moved to the bench after the Eric Bledsoe trade, Brogdon is fifth on the team in minutes per game and fourth in points per game. He often closes games alongside Bledsoe in the backcourt for Milwaukee.

Could another member of the Bucks join him? It’s unlikely either of the team’s rookies would be invited, as D.J. Wilson and Sterling Brown have appeared in just 12 and 10 games respectively, combining to average less than 3.0 points per game.

Second-year player Thon Maker is the wild card, as he has shown flashes of brilliance intermingled with stretches of regression and inconsistency. Although Team World will probably have plenty of options, the competition will be slightly less fierce and could leave an opening for Maker as a final selection of injury replacement. But Brogdon is the only player certain to play.

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