NBA All-Star Game 2012: 10 Players Who Will Shine in Rising Star Challenge

The 2012 Rising Star Challenge will be better than it has been for a very long time.  Not only is the talent pool amazing, but the format of the game will make for some exciting basketball.

With Coach Barkley and Coach Shaq drafting their teams like a pickup game, the teams will be equal and the game competitive.

Some of the most explosive players in the league today will participate in this game and I expect the matchup to live up to its high expectations.

Blake Griffin

Once again, Blake Griffin will be all over your screen during All-Star Weekend.  But, I mean, who's complaining?

Griffin is one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA.  You never know what he's going to do next, and when you think you've seen his best dunk he wows you once again.

He won't be playing with Chris Paul, but he will be playing with some other more-than-capable guards, and I promise you lob city will still be in effect.

Griffin will leave this game with a handful of highlights and the fans will leave satisfied.

I wouldn't be surprised if this one turned into the Blake Show.  I just hope he is paired with Ricky Rubio.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving sat out the first game of his young career last night, but he has put together some amazing numbers thus far—even better than LeBron's rookie season.

Irving had his doubters when he was selected as the No. 1 pick by the Cavs, but he has not disappointed.  Not only is he playing well, he has his team playing with confidence and gives them a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.

He is a smooth player on the offensive end, and I look for him to create early and assert himself as one of the best on the floor during this game.

Ricky Rubio

Finally, we have gotten to see what all the Ricky Rubio talk is about.  He is playing great and is arguably on pace for Rookie of the Year alongside Kyrie Irving.

He has the Timberwolves playing some great basketball and has been labeled "the next Steve Nash" by Dwyane Wade.

At such a young age he is already one of the best passers we have ever seen in the league, as he continuously makes something out of nothing.

Always one of the most craftiest players on the court, there is no doubt in my mind that Rubio will finish this game with a double-double.  

Rubio alone will be the reason a lot of fans tune in. They'll want to see what kind of passes he is throwing to the likes of Blake Griffin and others.

John Wall

Many people expected this to be John Wall's breakout season.  I know I did.  He has had a few great games here and there, but for the most part he has been very inconsistent.

However, Wall is still one of the most exciting and athletic point guards in the NBA today.  He can finish at the rim with the best of them and is an extremely underrated passer.

He will be one of the more overall talented players in the game. I'm looking forward to seeing what Wall has in store for us.

Paul George

Hopefully we will get to see Paul George in the dunk contest as well as this game.  He is the league's newest dunk artist and is a perfect fit for this type of exhibition.

The crowd will be on the edge of their seats whenever they see George streaking toward the basket or out on a fast break.

And I promise you, he will not disappoint.

Demarcus Cousins

After some trouble in Sacramento, Demarcus Cousins has been a straight BEAST.  He is rebounding with the best of them and scoring better than ever.

Cousins is not your typical All-Star player, but he is a character and will find a way to leave an impact on the game.  

Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker has been thriving in D.J. Augustin's absence and even beforehand.

After leading his team to the national championship last year in college basketball, Walker has become an immediate fan-favorite in Charlotte.

He has amazing handles and can break down his defender with the best of them.

He will definitely have some show-stopping plays in the game, and he might even mess around and end up as the game's MVP. 

Greg Monroe

Greg Monroe has been one of the surprises of the season.  He has been a rebounding machine thus far and is a double-double waiting to happen every time he takes the floor.

He may not be your typical high-flyer, but he has no problem finishing at the rim.  There will be some great point guards participating in this game and I look for him to be on the receiving end of some nasty alley-oops.

Derrick Williams

Not even a year ago, Derrick Williams was one of the most talented players in college basketball.

Now he is playing for a young and exciting Timberwolves team. He's catching lobs from teammate Rubio and doing some high-flying through the air with Wes Johnson.

This is Williams' kind of game—up and down the court, lots of lobs for him to go get and a big crowd for the big talent to play in front of.  

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has enormous hands.  He has also been one of the most solid rookies thus far playing alongside veterans Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in San Antonio.

After a quick stint at San Diego State, Leonard has come into the league and made an immediate impact, which is even harder to do with a franchise like the Spurs.

He will get a chance to showcase his talent and athleticism in this fast-paced game. I wouldn't want to see Leonard coming at me full-speed with the ball in his hands.