In only a few short weeks, it will be time for the All-Star Weekend. Rookies vs. Sophmore Challenge, 3-Pt. Shoot-Out (we want Charlie Ward!), Slam Dunk Contest, and the pointless All-Star game the next day. Maybe a Skills Challenge as well.

So far, here's the starting lineups for the All-Star Game.


East
G: LeBron James
G: Allen Iverson
F: Vince Carter
F: Grant Hill
C: Shaquille O'Neal

West
G: Tracy McGrady
G: Kobe Bryant
F: Kevin Garnett
F: Tim Duncan
C: Yao Ming

The only person that really deserved a spot was Grant Hill. Vince Carter hasn't shown ANY of the promise he had 3 years ago, and just seems uninspired. Also, $100 says Iverson hogs the ball, and Bryant gets into a fist fight with Shaq-Fu.

"The only person that really deserved a spot was Grant Hill"

???

LeBron is great, best guard in the east, and the Cavs are top three team in the east.

Shaq's still the best center in the league, and turned the Heat into the #1 team in the east.

Duncan is a ROCK and makes Spurs the best team in the league.

Garnett's stats are insane.

They all deserve their spot.

I mean for people who don't get voted in every year regardless of their performance (kinda like any Red Sox player in MLB). I just hope to hell that the East has Okafor as at least a bench player, otherwise there is no God.

All-Star Reserves (a.k.a Bench Players) Announced...

East Reserves
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas
C/F Ben Wallace
F Jermaine O'Neal
F Antawn Jamison
F/G Paul Pierce
G Gilbert Arenas
G Dwayne Wade

West Reserves
C/F Amare Stoudemire
F/C Dirk Nowitzki
F Rashard Lewis
F Shawn Marion
G Steve Nash
G Ray Allen
G Manu Ginobili

Nothing too surprising here, although Jermaine O'Neal making the roster is quite shocking, after being suspended for nearly 2 months and probably being on everyones shit list.

Glad to see Dwayne Wade get a spot too, but I think if he wasn't injured Emeka Okafor should've gotten a spot. Been pretty good all season, racking up double doubls every game and basically doing the best he possibly can for a Rookie on an Expansion Team.

If the refs in the NBA actually called all the fouls and travels that occured, Shaq would be useless.

Of course, so would most of the NBA. Which is why I haven't watched a single game this year, which is why I'm so befuddled by the all-star listings.

I haven't enjoyed the regular season much, but I always enjoy seeing All-Star Weekend. No going ape over a game, and it's just a relaxing waste of time.

I thought I was the only one though who noticed Shaq travels pretty much every time he touches the damn ball.

It's part of the reason I lost all respect for the NBA. He travels, and half of his "moves" involve him knocking the guy guarding him down.

The Heat broadcasters explanation: "He's built like a wall" and he's hard to defend", which I guess is a good enough excuse to knock people on their arse (or hurt them). Hard to defend is Michael Jordan, who could make jump shots while being triple teamed.

Chris Webber was robbed. He belongs over Lewis.

Tonight, it's time for the "Got Milk?" Rookies vs. Sophmores Challenge. I miss the old East Rookies vs. West Rookies games, but I guess this is alright as well. And to piss me off, they have some annoying little shit doing the opening to verbally blow every star player that isn't white. REVERSE RACISM~!

Rookies Lineup:
G Beno Udrih (San Antonio Spurs)
F Andre Igoudala (Philadelphia 76ers)
F Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
G Devin Harris (Dallas Mavericks)
F Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls)
G Ben Gorden (Chicago Bulls)
G Tony Allen (Boston Celtics)
F Al Jefferson (Boston Celtics)
F Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks)
IL Emeka Okafor (Charlotte Bobcats)

Sophmores Lineup:
G Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls)
F LeBron James (Clevland Cavaliers)
F Josh Howard (Dallas Mavericks)
F Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
F Udonis Haslem (Miami Heat)
G Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
F Kyle Korver (Philadelphia 76ers)
G Luke Ridnour (Seattle Supersonics)
F Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)

This is my second favorite part of the NBA season followed by the playoffs, I love the events leading up to the actual game. Soph is going to destroy the rookies, I predict by atleast 20. I've already started saving for when the All-Star game comes to Texas next year!

EDIT: Nice to see Devin Harris and Josh Howard representing for the Mavs.

Think I got my pick for the Dunk Contest tomorow night, Josh Smith.

Sophmores are killing the Rookies now, although the Rookies put up a good fight (and were leading) in the 1st Half.

Carmelo had a hot game last night. I like him so I'm hoping he can now turn his season around and carry the Nuggets to some form. The dunk contest I have no clue who will win. I'm rooting for Stoudemire because he's one of my favourites, but I doubt he will win. I have that feeling...

The Dunk Contest is always the toughest to predict, since it usually comes down to creativity and who doesn't fuck up.

Amare is a game dunker to me so I don't see him pulling it out. Chris Anderson didn't impress me too much last year, but Josh Smith did last night plus he's learning from Dominque Wilkins so I'm not betting against him.

Is there anything else tonight other than the 3-Pt. Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest? (Speaking of 3PTSO, Charlie Ward was robbed in 1998 I say! Robbed!)

The Skills Competiton is tonight and the contest where a WNBA player joins a current player and a NBA Legend in a shooting contest.

Oh, they still have that with the WNBA? I keep forgetting. As for Skills... eh. Everyone knows the players have talent, no need to show it off here.

The WNBA thing is still called 2-Ball right? Or am I starting to lose my mind? (Houston and Lobo were robbed in 1998! ROBBED!)

1998: The Year of the Robbed

Speaking of robbed, no one thinks Jason Richardson has been robbed the last couple of years, this was triggered by watching Sportscenter and seeing that J-Rich has the most points without getting into the all star game, oh well.

And yes you are losing your mind it's called "Radio Shack Shooting Stars"

They should've won! It was in Madison Square Garden! AAAAAAAAAH! (jumps out the window)

Radio Shack Shooting Stars? Excuse me... LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!

Let's see for the Skills Challenge...

Gilbert Arenas
Steve Nash
Earl Boykins
Luke Ridnour

I'm going with Steve Nash, since he's been keeping my Fantasy team alive all season.

I like Earl Boykins in this one, he's closer to the floor so I like his chances. Nick Van Exel's son goes to my high school so maybe if I suck up enough I can get some tickets next year!

Nick Van Exel... pfft. You have better chance scoring some cocaine... yes, I just made a tasteless joke that makes no sense. I'm out of control! [/Philbin Mode]

Magic, Smith, and Barkley all picked the same people... High-fuckin-larious!

Korver made 7 or 8 threes last night in the Rookie/Sophmore so I like his chances in the 3 point shoot out. It's always an unlikely person who wins that.

Spud Webb's daughter goes to another high school in my district is that better?

And where's mY Royal Rumble 95 review!!

Hmm... I'll have it done tomorrow if Allen and Smith both win their respective contests.

One person claps for "O Canada"... I'm laughing just thinking about it. I can't even name 5 canadian players.

Nash...that's all I got.

Is that Smith good for J.R. and Josh?

I thought Nash was Australlian... or maybe I'm thinking of someone else.

Kelly Clarkson?! Ewwwwwwwwwwww.... If shes the one I'm thinking of, I'm glad her movie is rated I think the 2nd Worst Movie of All Time, along with brillo head Sideshow Justin.

Gotta like Pheonix in this, them or LA.

Radio Shacks Shooting Stars:

Detroit:
Ronald Dupree (Pistons)
Swin Cash (Shock)
Adrian Dantley (Legend)

Phoenix:
Shawn Marion (Suns)
Diana Taruasi (Mercury)
Dan Majerle (Legend)

Denver:
Andre Miller (Nuggets)
Becky Hammon (Liberty?!)
Alex English (Legend)

Los Angeles:
Luke Walton (Lakers... looks kinda ugly like Bill Walton)
Lisa Leslie (Spark)
Magic Johnson (Legend)

I'm going with Denver, since my first instinct (LA) always loses.

Becky Hammon graduated from CU.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT! Phoenix just whooped that ass... (curses self)

Any true New York player would throw the game intentionally for not having a New York team. Come on, NBA! EWING! HOUSTON! SOMEBITCH!

Damn I go to the kitchen I come back and they're done, who hit the half court shot?

I think Majerle did.

Denver does pretty good with 44 seconds, and the chick (NEW YORK!) whooped that ass.