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Show notes:
All Star reserves reaction/Rising Stars thoughts (00:42)
East:
Jimmy Butler (MIA), Darius Garland (CLE), James Harden (BKN), Zach LaVine (CHI), Khris Middleton (MIL), Jayson Tatum (BOS), Fred VanVleet (TOR)
West:
Devin Booker (PHO), Chris Paul (PHO), Luka Doncic (DAL), Rudy Gobert (UTA), Donovan Mitchell (UTA), Karl Anthony Towns (MIN), Draymond Green (GSW)
Actually Draymond may not play so they'll have to pick a replacement player
Among four guys: Dejounte Murray (SAS), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Jaren Jackson Jr (MEM), Desmond Bane (MEM)
Outside of that, I got 6 out of 7 picks for the West
The biggest snubs to me in the East was Jaylen Brown (BOS) & Jarrett Allen (CLE)
There's still a possibility for either guy to make it with Kevin Durant likely to be replaced since he's injured
Another under the radar snub to me was Pascal Siakam (TOR) who's playing great even in light of OG Anunoby improving & rookie Scottie Barnes playing well
Overall I got 5 of 7 picks for the East
Kudos to the East coaches for not picking a guy like Kyrie Irving given his small body of work & the circumstances of him playing part-time
Kudos to the West coaches for not choosing Anthony Davis who's been hurt most of the 1st half of the season & Russell Westbrook who's having a down year
For the Rising Stars Challenge, they've changed the format to a round robin of 4 teams with 7 guys on each roster
Consists of 12 rookies, 12 sophomores & 4 G-Leaguers
Here's the list of players...
Rookies:
Scottie Barnes (TOR), Cade Cunningham (DET), Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), Chris Duarte (IND), Jalen Green (HOU), Josh Giddey (OKC), Herbert Jones (NOP), Davion Mitchell (SAC), Evan Mobley (CLE), Alperen Sengun (HOU), Jalen Suggs (ORL), Franz Wagner (ORL)
Sophs:
Precious Achiuwa (TOR), Cole Anthony (ORL), LaMelo Ball (CHA), Desmond Bane (MEM), Saddiq Bey (DET), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Tyrese Maxey (PHI), Jaden McDaniels (MIN), Isaac Okoro (CLE), Isaiah Stewart (DET), Jae'Sean Tate (HOU)
G League:
MarJon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy, Scoot Henderson
So the question was asked: why isn't there any NYK players on either list?
The talk around the league is about all the young talent they have
Bottom line: Tom Thibodeau's coaching style doesn't lend itself to leaning heavily on his rookies & sophs
Would have loved to see Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin or Immanuel Quickley there, but they aren't getting the consistent minutes that allow them to shine
The only player we'll likely see that weekend is Toppin in the Dunk Contest (hopefully he doesn't get robbed again)
Nonetheless I'm interested in seeing this new format & how it shakes out
