NBA Celebrity All-Star Game 2015: Participants, Live Stream and Score Prediction
If the NBA All-Star Game comes too close to displays of actual basketball for your liking, give the Celebrity All-Star Game a try.
On Friday night, a random assortment of famous people will gather at Madison Square Garden to show off their limited skills on the hardwood. Save for a few WNBA stars and former NBA legends still capable of executing bounce passes, it'll get ugly.
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony will join forces with Mike & Mike host Mike Greenberg, while Greenberg's co-host Mike Golic will team up with director and noted Knicks fan Spike Lee to coach the other squad.
Greenberg revealed his plan to secure the victory, per For The Win's Nina Mandell.
“[Lee is] certainly a great director, so I’m sure he can diagram up a few plays,” he said. “But I have confidence in Melo and if worse comes to worse maybe I’ll put Melo in the game late and he can become a player-coach if we need a bucket late in the game.”
Nobody tell Greeny the bad news. As long as Anthony or Lee don't try to install the triangle offense, the participants boast potential to produce a watchable event.
NBA Celebrity All-Star Game
When: Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Participants
| Kevin Hart | Comedian/Actor |
| Ansel Elgort | Actor |
| Anthony Anderson | Actor |
| Common | Musician/Actor |
| Mo'ne Davis | Little League World Series star |
| Win Butler | Arcade Fire lead vocalist |
| Chadwick Boseman | Actor |
| Nick Cannon | America's Got Talent host |
| Allan Houston | Former New York Knicks All-Star/Current Assistant GM |
| Chris Mullin | Basketball Hall of Famer |
| Blake Leeper | Paralympic gold medalist |
| Michael Rapaport | Actor/Director |
| Robert Pera | Memphis Grizzlies owner |
| Kristen Ledlow | NBA TV host |
| Abhishek Bachchan | Bollywood star |
| Shoni Schimmel | WNBA star (Atlanta Dream) |
| Skylar Diggins | WNBA star (Tulsa Shock) |
| Tina Charles | WNBA star (New York Liberty) |
It appears Kevin Hart will never leave. The game's mainstay is advertised as the headliner, despite his ball-hogging, hero-ball tendencies.
The stand-up comedian turned actor once again has his eyes set on winning a meaningless popularity contest, and he's a front-runner to do so without Justin Bieber in the fold.
Michael Rapaport and Common will deliver solid contributions among the non-players, and Nick Cannon will keep showing up, despite his on-court struggles. According to ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk, Hart, Common and former Knick Allan Houston will play for Anthony and Greenberg's East, while Cannon, Anthony Anderson, NBA legend Chris Mullin and WNBA star Skylar Diggins headline the West roster.
Mo'ne Davis, however, provides a fresh face to intensify the competition.
The youngster stole headlines for her dominant pitching in last year's Little League World Series, but basketball is actually her true calling. The Chicago Sky noted her magnificent achievement two months ago.
Davis may one day get a chance to share the court with Diggins at the pro level, but before then they'll collide at the World's Most Famous Arena. Her rousing popularity will challenge Hart's quest for another MVP, and she stands a better chance of earning it with her production.
Who's going to be the jerk to block or steal from a kid?
There's one glaring omission: Arne Duncan. The United States Secretary of Education has constantly taught everyone a lesson on NBA All-Star Weekend. Last year, he collected a record 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists during his side's 60-56 victory.
If anyone put a modicum of thought into the game's MVP vote, everyone would realize height isn't the only advantage Duncan had over Hart. Even Hart regifted the hardware out of respect, yet Duncan apparently has better things to do than play another celebrity basketball game.
Also, Hannibal Buress' campaigning sadly fell flat. Considering how most participants mail it in, it would have been refreshing to see someone excited to play some hoops.
Perhaps funny comedians aren't allowed to take part in the festivities.
Final Score Prediction
Please, please tell me you have no plans to bet on the Celebrity All-Star Game. Not knowing the full teams makes handicapping this game an impossible mission.
Besides, does anyone really care who wins? This game merely serves as a reminder that celebrities are actual human beings, too. Just like many of us, they stink at basketball.
While four of the past six games were decided by five points or fewer, the other two (2012, 2013) ended in lopsided laughers. With last year's top-two stars, Duncan and actor Michael B. Jordan, not around this time, there are no ringers to produce a blowout.
Regardless of the rosters, expect a close, low-scoring affair. Last year's 60-56 final is a solid template, and even that result rests on the high side.
Prediction: 57-52
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