NBA All-Star Weekend Game Plan
NBA All-Star 2017 kicks off this weekend in New Orleans and there's heaps to look forward to as some of the most talented and passionate players in the league's history gather together for a global celebration of the game.
This will be the 66th event which also includes the NBA All-Star Saturday Night contests where we'll see stars like Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) headline the the 3-point contest, Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic) attempt to avenge his runner-up dunk contest finish and Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans) go head-to-head with seven other players in the skills challenge.
There's so much happening in one massive weekend so here's a rundown of a few of the things to look forward to.
Taco Bell Skills Challenge
The skills challenge has been reworked to feature guards against big men, pitting them in a test of their speed, ball-handling and shooting. We'll see Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics), John Wall (Washington Wizards), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks) and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) compete against each other.
First event Saturday 18 February at 8pm ET (Sunday 19 February 11am AEST).
JBL 3-Point Contest
Going back-to-back for the three point challenge is Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors), Wesley Matthews (Dallas Mavericks), CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Klemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets) and Nick Young (Los Angeles Lakers).
Second event Saturday 18 February at 8pm ET (Sunday 19 February 11am AEST).
Verizon Slam Dunk
Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic) will return this year for the slam dunk contest and will be up against DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), Glen Robinson III (Indiana Pacers) and Derrick Jones Jr (Phoenix Suns).
Third event Saturday 18 February at 8pm ET (Sunday 19 February 11am AEST).
66th All-Star Game
The Western Conference team has won the past two All-Star games and are aiming to go for three in a row. Russell Westbrook has been MVP in both of those games but wasn't initially selected in the starting lineup but was eventually revealed as a reserve so it will be interesting to see if he earns his MVP title for a third year in a row.
See the full lineup below:
EAST
Guard - Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Guard - DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
Frontcourt - LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Frontcourt - Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Frontcourt - Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls)
Reserves:
Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
Paul Millsap (Atlanta Hawks)
Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics)
Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets)
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
WEST
Guard - Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Guard - James Harden (Houston Rockets)
Frontcourt - Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
Frontcourt - Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
Frontcourt - Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
Reserves:
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz)
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Sunday 19 February at 8:30 pm ET (Monday 20 February 11:30am AEST).
Halftime Headliner - John Legend
10-time Grammy Award winner, John Legend will be headlining the 66th NBA All-Star Game halftime show this year.
@johnlegend The countdown begins to an epic perfomance by John Legend at the 2017 NBA All Star Weekend! #nbaallstarweekend #nba #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/9cBCbYt3kI
— All Star Weekend 17 (@asw2017) February 7, 2017
Half time, Sunday 19 February at 8:30 pm ET (Monday 20 February 11:#30am AEST).
So, not only is there a game showcasing the best in the game at the moment headlining the whole All-Star event, you're also promised an array of entertaining skill challenges and a-class entertainment.
Head in store to cop an official NBA All-Star Jersey in time for the weekend or order online now.