Hey Now, You're an All-Star

It’s almost that time, people. That’s right, tomorrow night kicks off NBA All-Star Weekend 2011. Yeah, the NBA sometimes gets a bad rap. Sure, the players are overpaid and don’t try nearly as hard as they did in college, when they worked their butts off trying to make it to the Dance. But that doesn’t negate the fact that athletes in the NBA are the best of the best and put on a show every night. With nicknames like STAT (Amare Stoudemire), K-Mart (Kenyon Martin), Nashty (Steve Nash), and OKC’s very own Serge Iblocka, how can you help but enjoy watching the fast-paced action on the hardwood (no “that’s what she said” jokes, please)?

All-Star weekend is just a fun time for all, and it’s called the all-star break for a reason. Players, coaches, and fans get a break from the stress of worrying about the remaining schedule and clinching a spot in the playoffs. And yes, fans do need a little downtime too. Take it from this hardcore Phoenix Suns fan, whose beloved team might not slide into even the eighth spot in the West this year.

But for one weekend (and one weekend only, because after Sunday, it’s back to the grindstone), fans of the game get to see the NBA’s finest interact with one another in a much more relaxed atmosphere than usual. Instead of brows creased in concentration during a crucial overtime, fans witness friendly banter between players from rival teams, like the Celtics and Lakers.

I have always loved All-Star Weekend, but mostly for Friday’s and Saturday’s events. Of course, I’ll watch (and enjoy) the actual All-Star game on Sunday, but my favorite events are the Haier Shooting Stars contest, rookie/sophomore game, three-point contest, and the dunk contest. (I could do without Commissioner Stern’s “State of the NBA” address, though.)

Even if you don’t normally follow the NBA action from October to June, you’ll want to tune in for this weekend’s all-star game. In the Haier Shooting Stars contest, Team Texas, led by Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, will defend its 2010 title, potentially making it the only team to win the competition back-to-back since its origination in 2005. Let me point out here that Phoenix won the first Shooting Stars challenge. Shawn Marion and my brother’s favorite WNBA player, Diana Taurasi, along with Phoenix legend Dan Majerle, completed the competition in a mere 28 seconds. Beat that, Team Texas.

• Prediction: As much as it pains me to say this, I predict the Los Angeles Lakers will win the Haier Shooting Stars contest this year.

The rookie/sophomore game promises to be quite the event this year. The guard-dominated sophomore team boasts Tyreke Evans, who led the rookie team to a rare win in 2010. And expect some impressive dunks from Blake Griffin and Landry Fields. I’m interested to see if Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, coaches for the rookie and sophomore teams respectively, show up in a get-up similar to Dwyane Wade’s from last year.

• Prediction: As I said, a rookie team win is rare, and I don’t think they’ll get the W two years in a row. I’m going with Evans, Stephen Curry, Ibaka, and company’s sophomore team this year.

The Thunder’s KD will be competing in the three-point contest, so I will certainly be pulling for the hometown hero. But I’m confident Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will make an impressive showing. Pierce was 2010’s winner, and just last week, Allen surpassed Reggie Miller’s three-point record.

• Prediction: It is because of this record breaker that I say Ray Allen will win this year, beating out teammate Paul Pierce. He’s gonna be hyped up and running on adrenaline, especially since he’ll be on his rival Lakers’ home court.

And finally, the dunk contest. OKC has a representative in this category as well: Serge Ibaka. Blake Griffin, however, is highly favored to win the slam-dunk contest this year. But the dunk contest can surprise you. I mean, who would have expected 5’9” Nate Robinson to win not one, but three dunk contests.

• Prediction: I don’t think we’re in for any big surprises this year. Call me a bandwagon jumper, but I think Blake Griffin will be crowned the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk winner.

• Prediction: As for the All-Star game itself, it’s gonna be the West all the way. For one thing, the game is being played in L.A. Kobe will refuse to lose at the Staples Center and will be gunning for the MVP trophy. For another thing, the West has a better win percentage and puts up more points per game. And finally, I have to say the West will win because Phoenix represents the West. What kind of fan would I be if I bet against them?

So even if you’re not interested in viewing crazy dunks, rapid-fire three-point shots, and rookies and sophomores duking it out, you should at least watch the NBA All-Star events just to see if my predictions were right…and because OKC is representin’!