NBA All-Star Game: 10 Bold Predictions for the East vs. West Showdown
The NBA All-Star Game is quickly approaching. After the Slam-Dunk Contest, the Three-Point Shootout and the Rookie-Sophomore Game, the NBA's best players will come out of their brief hibernation ready to shine.
I'll give you one prediction that isn't too bold. There will be lots and lots of offense. And then some.
Unless you're an old-school basketball fan who likes watching teams grind out elongated possessions, you have to enjoy watching this shootout.
Always chalk full of talent, the 2011 version of this game is no different.
Read on for 10 bold predictions about the game.
Dwight Howard Double-Doubles
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We're going to start out with the least bold prediction of the bunch.
Last year in the All-Star game, three players recorded double-doubles that were made up of points and rebounds. From the Eastern team, Chris Bosh scored 23 points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds. On the opposition, Carmelo Anthony had 27 points and 10 boards while Amar'e Stoudemire put up 12 and 10.
This year, Dwight Howard will improve upon his lackluster five rebounds in 2010 and put up the game's biggest double-double.
Howard is averaging 22.6 points and 13.9 rebounds per game thus far in the 2010-2011 season and there's no reason that this success can't carry over to the All-Star contest.
Ditto For Blake Griffin
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Last year, not a single reserve was able to crack double-digits in both the points column and the rebounds column.
But neither the 2010 Eastern squad nor the 2010 Western squad had a talent like Blake Griffin as a reserve.
The Los Angeles Clippers' star forward was born to put up double-doubles. He's done it all season long, often throwing down highlight-reel dunks in the process.
The extra competition isn't going to slow him down. Griffin is going to get his minutes both because the West can't keep him on the bench and because he'll want to put on a show for his home crowd in Los Angeles.
With minutes come both points and rebounds.
Russell Westbrook Throws Down The Best Dunk Of The Night
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There are plenty of talented dunkers on the rosters for the 2011 All-Star game, but none of them are going to be able to show up the young point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
You may expect to see Blake Griffin throw down a couple jaw-dropping slams, but he'll be the sideshow to the one inevitable Russell Westbrook dunk.
Westbrook may only be 6'3" but he can elevate with the best of them. He makes his living because of his unrelenting intensity and enthusiasm for the game.
In a game where defense isn't exactly the No. 1 priority, Westbrook's burst to the rim is going to be contested far less than it normally is.
All 4 Celtics Will End Up on the Court at Once
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For just the sixth time in NBA history, four players from the same team are on the roster of an All-Star team.
This year, the Boston Celtics join the 2006 Detroit Pistons, 1998 Los Angeles Lakers, 1975 Boston Celtics, 1983 Philadelphia 76ers and 1962 Boston Celtics as the only teams to do so.
Since the Boston Celtics and the 2011 Eastern squad share one more thing (head coach Doc Rivers), I think it's a safe bet that the four all end up on the court at the same time at some point during the game.
If it's close at the end, would you really be surprised to see Rivers put the players he trusts most on the court together?
People Ask Who Chris Bosh Is
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The following is a true story:
I was drafting a fantasy basketball team in a league with a bunch of friends. The draft was an auction (because all good fantasy leagues are auction-styled) and Chris Bosh's name came up.
One of my friends immediately overbid on Bosh while filling up the chat with predictions about how Bosh would easily average 25 points and 15 rebounds. In fact, he said, that may be selling him short.
Not one of us agreed with him and the season has proven us right so far. We have of course taken to occasionally calling our friend Mr. 25/15 just to rub in how wrong he was.
But the point of the story is that Bosh has been completely underwhelming this year. He's still putting up good numbers, but the Miami Heat have indeed resembled Two and a Half Men this season. Bosh has simply gone missing at times.
He may still belong in the All-Star Game, but Bosh won't be recognized as a superstar this year.
Carmelo Anthony Stares Longingly at Amar'e Stoudemire
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We all know that Carmelo Anthony desperately wants to join the New York Knicks as soon as he can.
Well, during his weekend in Los Angeles, you can bet that he'll secretly cast longing stares at Amar'e Stoudemire. It's probably safe to say that Stoudemire will be doing everything he can to convince the prolific scorer to do everything possible to end up in the city that never sleeps.
The All-Star Game is a chance for superstars to showcase their talents. Melo may be bringing his talents to Los Angeles, but he really wants to bring them to New York.
Chris Paul Joins Him
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Remember too that Chris Paul wants to join Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York to form yet another Big Three.
Because he hasn't been embroiled in trade talks all season long, Paul has stayed relatively quiet this season. But he still wants to end up on the Knicks.
There was the toast before the season and then the trade demands right before the first game was played, but the season has been all business.
The All-Star Game though is extracurricular. It's a time to let loose and have some fun. It's a chance to let your true feeling show a little bit.
Amar'e Stoudemire Puts On a Show
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Amar'e Stoudemire knows that Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul will be on the opposing team watching him score point after point.
If he can score so proficiently during the regular season when teams are focused on stopping him, he's bound to put up a lot of buckets against a defenseless Western squad.
The goggled one is going to want to impress certain members of the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Hornets. He knows what this means.
Derrick Rose Wins MVP Honors
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A lot of people think that Derrick Rose has been the MVP of the regular season so far. It hasn't been said as often, but Rose is going to carry over that success into the All-Star Game and take home the same award.
Rose is a remarkable offensive catalyst. He can slash to the basket better than anyone in the league right now, possesses remarkable finishing ability and can still dish the ball around to open men.
Surround him with more talent and he becomes even more dangerous. I'd be shocked if Rose doesn't score over 25 points, gather in at least five rebounds and deal out at least 10 assists.
If that's not MVP worthy, I don't know what is.
The East Wins By 20
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Both teams are absolutely stacked. There's no denying that.
But the chemistry of the team from the East is going to reign superior over the pickup-style team playing in the West. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are used to playing together on a regular basis. So too are Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
When the going gets tough, the players on the East have familiar faces to look for.
Plus they have the best All-Star in the league, some guy named James.
Sorry Kobe fans. I still would rather have Kobe lead my team during the playoffs, but when it comes to offensive basketball in an All-Star setting, I'd rather have the fun-loving Heat superstar on my squad.
When the final buzzer sounds, expect to see the East ahead by a comfortable margin.
