Announcement

**Hotshot** · Sat Jan 29, 2011, 06:19 PM

I agree with this article regarding the game roster:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18602

One of the most entertaining parts of All-Star Weekend every year is All-Star Friday's T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam, pitting the hottest rookies against the hottest sophomores. The 2011 version of the game should be no different, with plenty of already star quality players performing in Los Angeles.

Each team features nine players. The game is usually very uptempo, high scoring, and little defense is played. Because of that guard play is very important to getting a win and many big men, even the best young big men, don't always put up a good performance unless they can run the floor with the guards.

So which players should be there? Let's take a closer look and whose presence should be a done deal and who else should get consideration.

ROOKIES

Who Is In?

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers – Considering how much hype Griffin is getting about making the actual All-Star team for the Western Conference by leading all rookies in scoring, rebounds, efficiency, and highlight reels he's a guarantee.

John Wall, Washington Wizards – The number one pick of the 2010 NBA Draft leads all rookies in assists and steals, plus is one of the fastest from one end of the floor to the other with the ball. Raise your hand if your popcorn is ready for Wall to Griffin alley-oops?

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings – Cousins has had his ups and downs early on, but lately has become the unquestioned starter at center. He is third in scoring and second in rebounding among rookies.

Landry Fields, New York Knicks – It's rare a second-round pick rates this highly in the rookie discussion, but Fields has been a key part in New York's turnaround this season. He is third in steals and fourth in scoring for rookies.

In The Mix:

Wes Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves – Fifth among all rookies in scoring, the Wolves' forward had been up-and-down all season.

Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons – Early on Monroe wasn't getting much time, but in the last month has been starting and getting better every game at center.

Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers – Turner received a lot of attention early for what he wasn't doing, but the second pick in the 2010 draft has slowly improved, finally getting his shooting percentage over 40%.

Eric Bledsoe, Los Angeles Clippers – Bledsoe managed the show while Baron Davis was out with injury, but since Davis has come back has been relegated to a few minutes here and there. Still, he is second among all rookies in assists.

Ed Davis, Toronto Raptors – Davis missed games with injury, but in the last month has played well. He doesn't get plays run for him, but is one of the top rebounders in the class.

Derrick Favors, New Jersey Nets – While Favors has been inconsistent his athleticism, especially on defense, has earned him a starting role.

Gary Neal, San Antonio Spurs – Only four rookies qualify to be considered among the leaders in three-point shooting in the league and Neal is the best of the group at 40% from deep.

Christian Eyenga, Cleveland Cavaliers – A late entry to the field, Eyenga has played only nine games but is ninth among rookies in scoring average and getting 23.2 minutes a game, also ninth.

The Roster Should Be: Griffin, Wall, Cousins, Fields, Johnson, Monroe, Davis, Favors, Bledsoe, and Neal.

The last spot came down to Neal and Turner. For building a team Neal is the better pick, but Turner being chosen instead wouldn't be a surprise.

SOPHOMORES

Who Is In?

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors - Curry leads the group in scoring and steals, and is second in three-point shooting and assists.

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings - Evans won the Rookie of the Year award last year and was MVP of the Rookie Challenge, but his numbers have gone down a bit in his sophomore year as he has dealt with injuries and off-court distractions. Still, there is no way he shouldn't be here.

Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers - Matthews, and undrafted rookie for the Utah Jazz last year, tends to get forgotten a bit as being a sophomore until someone brings it up. He has stepped in for Brandon Roy and become a reliable scorer and defender for the Blazers, proving his full Mid-Level Exception contract this past summer was worth it. He also leads the class in three-pointers made.

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks - Yes, Jennings has been hurt, but he is third in the class in assists and may be one of the fastest players in the league, period. If he is back to full health, he deserves to be here.

Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder - Ibaka leads the class in rebounding, field goal shooting, and blocks, plus is excellent at throwing down the alley-oops. The sophomore class is weak up front and Ibaka is the best of the group.

In The Mix:

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors - DeRozan is still a very raw player, but is fifth in the class in scoring and has raised his stats across the board.

Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers - Considering the bevy of point guards in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, who do you suppose leads the class in assists? Yep, it's Holiday.

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls - Gibson has the bad fortune of playing behind a stud in Carlos Boozer. Then again, he's had plenty of court time this year with injuries to Boozer and Joakim Noah – and delivered every time. On most other teams he'd be a 15-10 player,

Darren Collison, Indiana Pacers - A lot was expected from Collison with his move to Indy after fantastic numbers filling in for Chris Paul as a rookie in New Orleans. It hasn't worked out that way and he has plenty of competition in the backcourt.

Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets - Like Gibson with Boozer in Chicago, Lawson plays behind a star in Chauncey Billups. And like with Gibson, Lawson has delivered when Billups has been hurt.

DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs - Blair is second in the class in rebounding and would give the Sophomores some needed bulk.

Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings - Casspi is third in the class in three-pointers made and is a solid rebounder and defender.

The Roster Should Be: Curry, Evans, Matthews, Jennings, Ibaka, Gibson, Blair, DeRozan, Holiday

ANALYSIS

Usually the Sophomores are a good bet in these games. They have a year of experience, they aren't tiring like the Rookies at this point in the season, and they have a higher level of confidence. Plus, these Sophomores won last year as Rookies.

However.

The sophomore class is weak up front overall and the best player in this game plays power forward for the Rookies. Both teams will have outstanding guard play, but for the Sophomores to win they may have to get hot from beyond the arc to counter the mess of their defense Griffin will make inside. Considering the quality of their shooters in Curry, Matthews, and Evans, that's quite possible.

Announcement

Predictions for Rookie - Sophomore Game Rosters?

Predictions for Rookie - Sophomore Game Rosters?

Comment