NBA All-Star Weekend

With the greatest all-star competition of them all approaching, it's time to make our picks for who will win each game/event. (All rosters and event info courtesy of NBA.com)

Friday February 13th:

McDonald's All Star Celebrity Game (7pm, ESPN)

Participants:
Clyde Drexler (NBA legend)
Dominique Wilkins (NBA legend)
Chris Tucker (Actor/comedian)
James Denton (Desperate Housewives)
Donald Faison (Scrubs)
Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboys receiver)
Zach Levi (Chuck)
Michael Rapaport (Prison Break)
Dan Majerle (Phoenix Suns legend)
Rick Fox (L.A. Lakers legend)
Lisa Leslie (L.A. Sparks)
Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs)
"Wildkat" Edgerson (Harlem Globetrotters)
"Special K" Daley (Harlem Globetrotters)
"Scooter" Christensen (Harlem Globetrotters)
"Handles" Franklin (Harlem Globetrotters)

PJ: Since the teams haven't been announced it's obviously difficult to pick a winner! But I'm going to pick the team that has "Special K" Daley, how can you go against that name?
The Pick: "Special K" leads a "Special" team to victory!

T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam (9pm, TNT)

Rookie Roster:

Michael Beasley (Heat)

Rudy Fernandez (Trail Blazers)

Marc Gasol (Grizzlies)

Eric Gordon (Clippers)

Brook Lopez (Nets)

O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies)

Greg Oden (Trail Blazers)

Derrick Rose (Bulls)

Russell Westbrook (Thunder)

Sophomore Roster:

Aaron Brooks (Rockets)

Wilson Chandler (Knicks)

Kevin Durant (Thunder)

Jeff Green (Thunder)

Al Horford (Hawks)

Luis Scola (Rockets)

Al Thornton (Clippers)

Rodney Stuckey (Pistons)

Thaddeus Young (Sixers)

PJ: The rookies have only won this event which is better known as "The Rookie-Sophomore Game" twice in it's nine year existence, they've also lost seven in a row. But this year it seems to me like they should be favored. With Oden listed as a rookie, the young(est) guns should take this one fairly easily (that's right!). The Pick: Rookies win 141-125

Saturday February 15th

Haier Shooting Stars Competition (8pm, TNT)

Team San Antonio: Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Becky Hammon
Team Detroit: Arron Afflalo, Bill Laimbeer and Katie Smith
Team Los Angeles: Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper and Lisa Leslie
Team Phoenix: Leandro Barbosa, Dan Majerle and Tangela Smith

PJ: Ok folks, this is getting old. I love the idea of the competition and frankly I enjoy watching it. But don't you think it's time for the NBA to get a little diverse and broaden it's horizons from using these teams every year? Don't you think that they could somehow form a team of former Celtics, Knicks, or 76ers? C'mon! Now for the analysis. Well let's see...San Antonio has the best NBA player (though he's not an outside shooter), the best NBA "legend" (though Robinson doesn't need the quotes there) and the second best WNBA player. I'd say that's a winning formula. The Pick: San Antonio wins it's second in a row with a time of 44 seconds.

PlayStation Skills Challenge (8:30pm, TNT)

Participants:

Devin Harris (Nets)
Mo Williams (Cavaliers)
Tony Parker (Spurs)
Derrick Rose (Bulls)

PJ: This is going to be Devin Harris' chance to shine. Playing in New Jersey isn't exactly the spotlight, but this could be his chance to show the casual fan how good he really is- much better than the man he was traded for, Jason Kidd. The Pick: Devin Harris (duhhhh

Foot Locket Three-Point Shootout (9pm, TNT)

Participants:
Mike Bibby (Hawks)
Daequan Cook (Heat)
Danny Granger (Pacers)
Jason Kapono (Raptors)
Rashard Lewis (Magic)
Roger Mason (Spurs)

PJ: Jason Kapono is the NBA's all-time leader in three-point field goal percentage, and the defending champ. He's likely the favorite due to these stats but how can you pick against Roger Mason? The Spurs sharp-shooter has a .450 3pt FG Pct. this season which is unheard of.
The Pick: Roger Mason (maybe it's because he put the dagger in the Celtics last week but he deserves some respect).

Sprite Slam Dunk Contest (9:30pm, TNT)

Participants:
Dwight Howard (Orlando)
Rudy Fernandez (Portland)
J.R. Smith (Denver)
Nate Robinson (New York)

PJ: Dwight Howard? Too big. Nate Robinson? Too small. Rudy Fernandez? Too young. J.R. Smith? Just right. (Check out this link, with dunks and info for each contestant.) Smith has mad ups and I think the experience from 2005 will help him. The Pick: J.R. Smith

Sunday February 15th

NBA All-Star Game (8pm, TNT)

Rosters Here

PJ: Though this is nearly impossible to pick, I'll do my best. My gut feeling is that the West will win this game based on one reason-the East is a selfish team, while the West is made up of unselfish players (besides Kobe). I know it's an all-star game and everyone claims that they'll pass before forcing up a shot (like they should do in any game, but usually don't), but I think the selfishness of the East will prevail. It all starts with the NBA's invincible king, or as I like to call him "Prince" James, being selfish. And it will end with the Prince being selfish. Meanwhile the West has Paul, Duncan, Billups, etc. The Pick: The West becomes the first team in All-Star history to score 200 points, beating the East 202-186.

Bubble Teams: Who's in, Who's out?

Okay everyone it's time to play our favorite game: in or out? Which teams will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament's field of 65?

Michigan:
Record: (15-10) Overall, (5-7) Big Ten
Remaining Schedule: @ Northwestern, Minnesota, @ Iowa, Purdue, @ Wisconsin, @ Minnesota
Key Wins: UCLA, Duke,
Bad Losses: None

IN OR OUT?

PJ: IN. In my opinion they have shown the ability to hang tough with good teams, and in some cases even beat them. They haven't had a loss to a significantly bad team, but they could play better on the road consistently.
Dustin:OUT. This team certainly has talent but they are 2-7 in their last nine games. Lack of a true center has hurt Michigan down the stretch, as big men have been the difference in close games lately (Uconn, and Ohio State to name a few). Michigan has an opportunity to get in but they need to win four of their last six, and win at least one in the Big Ten Tournament.

Boston College:
Record: (18-8) Overall, (6-5) ACC
Remaining Schedule: Duke, @ Miami, Florida State, @ NC State, Georgia Tech
Key Wins: @ North Carolina
Bad Losses: Harvard, St. Louis

IN OR OUT?

PJ: IN. As of today I would say BC is on the outside looking in. But they have opportunities coming up vs. Duke and @ Miami, I believe they'll be able to win at least one of these two games, then win three in a row to close out the season, and likely solidify a spot with a win in the first round of the ACC Tourney. BC has shown they can hang around with any team (they led Wake and Clemson at halftime) and their ability to play consitant over the course of 40 minutes will ultimately dictate whether or not they make it to the big dance.
Dustin: IN. Boston College's win over North Carolina was huge. Losses to Harvard, and St. Louis are disgraceful, but B.C has won five or their last seven, and are six and five in a tough ACC. Another quality win would be nice, but B.C. has some opportunities coming up with Duke and at Miami. B.C. has played well in big games, so they'll win one of those two, giving them a NCAA tournament birth.

Georgetown:
Record: (13-9) Overall, (4-7) Big East
Remaining Schedule: @ Syracuse, @ South Florida, Marquette, Louisville, @ Villanova, @ St. Johns, DePaul
Key Wins: Memphis, Syracuse, @ UConn
Bad Losses: Seton Hall, Cincinnati (2)

IN OR OUT?

PJ: OUT. The Hoyas have played well in their three big wins and they certainly have the potential to beat any team in the country but they have been extremely inconsistent which in my opinion has led to their demise. Losing to Cincinnati twice, Seton Hall, and West Virginia adds up to four losses to teams that likely won't be in the tournament. But they are a strong team with prior experience, which will definitely make a difference for them down the stretch of the next few weeks. If they can win 5 of their next 7 and close out conference play at (8-9) then I think they'll qualify, especially if they win their Big East Tourney first round game.
Dustin:OUT. Georgetown had a great start to the season but have lost six of their last seven. They have tough games coming up, at Syracuse, Marquette, Louisville, and at Villanova. I don't see them stealing any of those games. Assuming they win their other games they would end up 16-13. A record like that can only lead to the NIT, even with a schedule as difficult as Georgetown has played this year.

Providence:
Record: (15-9) Overall, (7-5) Big East
Remaining Schedule: Rutgers, @ Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, @ Rutgers, @ Villanova
Key Wins: Syracuse
Bad Losses: Baylor

IN OR OUT?

PJ: IN. Providence has one big win vs. Syracuse and one bad loss to Baylor. They lost to a Northeastern team that may very well make the Tourney so I would discount that. Through all of this they have held their own in what has shaped up to be the 2nd best conference in college basketball (behind the ACC). They've beaten the teams they should, and hung around against the teams that are better (besides a blowout loss at UConn). They have a key part of their schedule coming up and during this stretch run if they can maintain the 6th spot in the Big East then they should be all set for the big dance.
Dustin:OUT. Providence has had a surprising year with a seven and five record in what many consider the best conference in basketball. However, their only key win came versus a Syracuse team which has struggled of late, losing five of their last seven. With their tough remaining schedule, they're looking at two wins (Rutgers, at home and on the road), leaving them 17-13. They could sneak in if they can beat Notre Dame, but they too will be fighting for their tournament lives, leaving Providence on the outside looking in.

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