So, before we get too far ahead, I’m referring to the activities that aren’t the actual All-Star game. So the Skills Competition, the 3-Point Contest, and the Dunk Contest. I’ve seen a lot of people on Twitter downplay how good these players are, and I am here to right that wrong. I won’t tolerate any slander of any of the participants for All-Star weekend, and neither should you. Let’s talk about it.
Dunk Contest
I know that this isn’t the start studded line up that we all wanted. I am fully aware of that. I think we should consider some things, though. There are going to be a limited number of people allowed in the arena, outside of the players themselves. There won’t be this hyped crowd get make things as exciting as they normally would be. On top of that, long gone are the days of Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, or even LeBron James even thinking about being in the Dunk Contest. This is time for a new breed of dunker to take center stage. Obi Toppin was an undisputed highlight reel in college, and now that he’s had some decent playing time, he’s starting to look like a real show stopper. Anfernee Simons has sneaky bounce. He doesn’t get a lot of hype because he plays in Portland behind Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and sometimes Carmelo Anthony, but he’s got mad bounce for sure. The most underrated of the entire group is Cassius Stanley. He hasn’t had too many moments in the league, but he’s just a few years removed from being in every single Ball is Life highlight reel for his athletic ability. No, we didn’t get Zion, or Ja, but we do have a few young guys looking to make a name for themselves, and I’m sure they won’t disappoint.
Skills Competition
One of the biggest reasons I watch basketball is to see the skill demonstrated on the court. I wasn’t a dunker in my playing days, so I had to rely on my shooting ability and basketball IQ/skills. Naturally, because of that, the Skills Competition has always had my attention. With the influx of talent at the big man positions in the last few years, the floor has become wide open to who could win. Bigs are doing guard things, guards are posting up… basketball has become a position-less game, and this competition is proof of that. This year, we’ll have guys like Luka Doncic and Chris Paul who are wizards on the court be able to demonstrate what they’ve been doing their entire careers. Guys like Nikola Vucevic and Julius Randle will be able to step out and show the NBA fans what they can do on a regular basis, and what they are able to do in the future. Even a guy like Robert Covington, who is seen as a guy who is a 3-and-D player, will be able to show his true skillset. If you’re looking for a “do it all” kind of showing, look no further
3-Point Contest
Although it hasn’t been seen as the competition that requires the most skill compared to the other two, the 3-Point Contest has always been my favorite activity during All-Star Weekend. I like guys who can light up the scoreboard in a hurry with the 3-ball, what can I say? This year won’t be any different. We’ve got two former winners of the contest in Devin Booker and Steph Curry, both of which can easily win another. We have my two Celtics in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who will look to capture their first trophy, and honestly, for me, I’d be happy with either of them walking away with it. To finish out the card, we have Zach LaVine and Donovan Mitchell, who, if you’ve seen any Bulls or Jazz games this year, you know exactly how deadly both of them can be. The field is stacked, and anyone can actually take home the trophy.
Round The Game 
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