Team Webber vs. Team Hill: Breaking Down Rising NBA Stars on Each Team
The NBA All-Star Weekend is a time for the biggest names in the Association to participate in exciting events while also showcasing some of the rising stars in the league.
The 2014 Rising Stars Challenge will do just that, with Chris Webber and Grant Hill coaching and managing their respective teams of drafted rookies and sophomores from the league. The two teams feature some of the biggest names in the league, as well as some very promising young players who are still developing into potential All-Stars.
With that being said, let's take a look at the rosters for both Team Webber and Team Hill, breaking down the overall talent on each one.
Team Webber
| Anthony Davis | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Michael Carter-Williams | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | New York Knicks |
| Trey Burke | Utah Jazz |
| Jared Sullinger | Boston Celtics |
| Mason Plumlee | Brooklyn Nets |
| Victor Oladipo | Orlando Magic |
| Steven Adams | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Kelly Olynyk | Boston Celtics |
The first pick that Team Webber made was a logical one. Taking the star player from the city that's hosting All-Star Weekend makes a lot of sense, especially when it's a player like Anthony Davis. Davis is quietly becoming a serious star in the NBA with the Pelicans, averaging a double-double with 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field.
Along with the talented sophomore, Webber also has the top two Rookie of the Year candidates in Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo. Oladipo has been a productive scorer, but Carter-Williams has been the more all-around player with more rebounds and assists per game.
Perhaps because of his former allegiances with the school, Webber decided to reunite the Michigan Wolverines backcourt as well by bringing in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke. While the two were first-round picks with high expectations, neither have lived up to the hype yet, with Burke shooting just 37.1 percent from the field and Hardaway scoring just 9.2 points per game.
Webber's team was rounded out in the frontcourt with Steven Adams and Kelly Olynyk, but the amount of talent in the backcourt along with a star player in Davis down low could make this a very dangerous team for Team Hill to go against.
Team Hill
| Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Bradley Beal | Washington Wizards |
| Andre Drummond | Detroit Pistons |
| Harrison Barnes | Golden State Warriors |
| Terrence Jones | Houston Rockets |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Jonas Valanciunas | Toronto Raptors |
| Dion Waiters | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Miles Plumlee | Phoenix Suns |
While Team Webber might have the deeper backcourt, Hill's team might have the best overall player available for the Rising Stars Challenge in Damian Lillard.
Lillard is well on his way to becoming a superstar with the Portland Trail Blazers, as he's already one of the most efficient point guards in the league with an 18.94 PER. He's averaging an impressive 20.7 points, 5.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the field.
Lillard's accomplishments so far this season have certainly been recognized, as he'll be competing in all five events this All-Star Weekend. That's great for him, but it might not be a good thing for Team Hill, as Lillard may not want to play a ton of minutes in order to rest up.
After adding more help to their backcourt with Bradley Beal, Team Hill picked up Andre Drummond, who very well might be the most underrated player in this game. In his second season, Drummond is quickly becoming one of the best big men in the game, averaging 13.0 points and 12.9 rebounds per game while shooting an incredible 61.3 percent from the field.
Team Hill only has one rookie, but it's one of the more intriguing names from the class in Giannis Antetokounmpo. At just 19 years old, Giannis is developing nicely as an NBA shooting guard, averaging 7.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting a respectable 42.8 percent from the floor.
The numbers aren't incredible, but given the fact that he's a 6'9'' shooting guard and is just 19 years old, the potential is there for Giannis to become a star.
Overall, Hill might not have the more talented team, but he arguably has a stronger frontcourt that could make a major impact if the game is played down low.
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