It’s officially NBA All-Star Weekend! After the Rising Stars excitement on Friday, we move to the multi-event bonanza on Saturday. The Rebanse team is ready to share our picks for the Three-Point Shooting Contest, the Slam Dunk Contest, and the return of the team-based Shooting Stars Competition.
THREE-POINT CONTEST: THE BATTLE OF SHARPSHOOTERS
Eight elite shooters take the stage, including stars like Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell. The big story is Damian Lillard (MIL), who accepted the invite to break the monotony of his Achilles rehab. While Mitchell leads the league in total threes, our pick is Norman Powell (LAC) due to his superior 39.6% shooting clip. Keep an eye on rookie Kon Knueppel (CHA) as the ultimate dark horse candidate.
SHOOTING STARS: A TEAM-BASED SHOWDOWN
The return of this format features four intriguing squads. We have Team All-Star, Team Knicks, Team Cameron, and Team Harper. Our money is on Team Cameron (Kon Knueppel, Jalen Johnson, Corey Maggette). With Johnson and Knueppel being among the league’s most efficient shooters this season, paired with the veteran touch of Corey Maggette, this trio is poised for victory.
SLAM DUNK CONTEST: THE SEARCH FOR A NEW ICON
While this year’s field focuses on young high-flyers, the potential for highlight-reel finishes is massive. We are picking Jase Richardson (MIA) to take the crown. Not only does he possess elite athleticism, but he’s carrying the legacy of his father, two-time champ Jason Richardson. If style and flashiness prevail, Jase is the clear favorite over the high-hopping Carter Bryant (DAL).
