Garrett Chorpenning (@gchorp50)
- My money’s on John Wall. He’s one of the most talented guards in the NBA, if not THE most talented. He’s got ridiculous handles and passing ability, and I think he’s a lock to win.
- Swaggy P. Hands down.
- My heart says DeAndre, but my mind says Aaron Gordon. So I’m gonna have to go with DJ. All bias aside, I think he’s easily the most underrated participant in the contest, as most people view him strictly as a power dunker or lob finisher. You’re in for a treat if you ever find any of his pregame dunk mixtapes.
- I’d have to give the title to Nikola Jokic if the World team wins. The man is putting up crazy numbers in Denver, and I could see him becoming the next Dirk Nowitzki. If Team USA wins, I think it’s an easy call to give it to Karl Anthony-Towns. This one is full of dark horses though, most notably Malcolm Brogdon or Jonathon Simmons. I’m really high on Brogdon. He was the first (and only?) rookie to record a triple-double this season, and I love what he’s done in Milwaukee.
- I’d like to say Russell Westbrook if the West wins it, but I could also see it go to someone like Boogie Cousins or KD. Man, everyone would hate that. If the East wins, I think Giannis Antetokounmpo puts on a show and wins it. Hard to believe he’s only 21.
This, aside from DJ’s All-Star debut, is what I’m most excited for this weekend. I don’t think it’s likely, since it’s kind of a shady deal and I’m not sure how shady Steve Kerr is. He’d certainly please the basketball world if he did go through with it, though. And if it does, expect Westbrook to go all out. Either he goes for a triple-double or takes every shot himself. No middle ground.