All-Star Activities: The Preview

By:

Josh Sperber

All-star weekend is fun to watch even without the main event: the All-Star game.  Here are the three most exciting events to entertain NBA fans in the waiting game for the all-star game, or a whole weekend.

H-O-R-S-E:

A spinoff of the classic backyard game that is going big into its inaugural all-star weekend. Headed by three of the NBA's youngest, and exciting stars, Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo, and Joe Johnson, this is sure to be a very interesting game as these three stars are known to create and make amazing shots, the point of this game.  It is tough to predict a winner, since all of these stars can do it all, however, few in the league can compete with Durant in this category, so he is my pick.

3-Point Shootout: 

An all-star weekend classic returns, and with a field with all competitors averaging over .400 3pt.%.  The reigning champ Jason Kapono will be challenged by all-star Danny Granger, as well as Roger Mason, Mike Bibby, Daquaen Cook, and Rashard Lewis.  It is easy to pick Kapono to win his third consecutive title, after tying a record en route to his victory last year, but Roger Mason leads all competitors with .450 3pt.%, and Kapono is not nearly as hot as Mason.  My pick: Roger Mason.  

Slam Dunk Contest: 

What everyone has been waiting for, the Slam-Dunk favorite of the all-star game, where high-flying stars defy gravity to excite the multitude of viewers.  Dwight Howard is looking to win his second straight, but Rudy Fernandez, Nate Robinson, and J.R. Smith look to stop him. Fernandez may be loved by fans, and J.R. Smith was great in 2005 and Nate Robinson won the 2005 contest, "Superman" Howard will find another way to pick up another dunk contest, whether or not he has the superman outfit.