It is that time of the year again when the best players in the NBA go head-to-head in the All-Stars game in Cleveland , and this time we’ll have a number of Aussies involved across the weekend.
The 2022 All-Stars weekend will be a special milestone as the NBA celebrates their 75th anniversary.
Australian Boomers legend Patty Mills will be taking part in the Three-Point Contest, young gun Josh Giddey will feature in the Rising Stars game, plus the Skills Challenge and Dyson Daniels will also play in the Rising Stars game, despite playing for the G-League Ignite team
Mills has had an outstanding season for the Brooklyn Nets and has done a remarkable job filling in for star player Kyrie Irving at point guard.
NBA writer Stephen Noh is tipping Mills to take the win in the Three-Point Contest.
“Mills is the favourite to win in the betting markets, and for good reason. He’s 11th in 3-point percentage (41.8%) and fourth in makes (179). Watch the right wing, where he’s hitting 51.3% of his 3’s this season. That should be his moneyball rack,” Noh said.
Young gun Josh Giddey has exceeded expectations in his rookie NBA season and has been in brilliant form for Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddey recently recorded his third-straight triple-double, joining NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson in achieving the milestone as a rookie.
In the All-Stars game, Team Durant consists of Kevin Durant, although he is injured and will not play, Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, Andrew Wiggins and Trae Young. On the bench will be LaMelo Ball, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Dejounte Murray and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Team LeBron contains of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Jovic. While Jarrett Allen, Jimmy Butler, Luka Doncic, Darius Garland, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul and Fred VanVleet are on the bench.
NBA writer Micah Adams believes LeBron will step up and lead his team to victory and claim the All-Stars MVP award.
“Nobody understands legacy like LeBron James who can seize the opportunity to shift focus away from a turbulent season with the Lakers. In front of the game’s biggest names both past and present AND back in Cleveland, LeBron can stake a claim that in Year 19, this is still HIS league,” Adams said.
“Also worth noting? He can tie Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit for the most All-Star Game MVPs.”
The All Stars game is always an exciting contest with plenty of stars on the court putting on an exciting display for the crowd. The game is light hearted and fun, with plenty of dunks, lay ups, long bombs and the players putting on a show for the fans.
So, who win the All Stars game? This author believes Team LeBron will be too good for Team Durant. Expect a big game from captain LeBron James who loves the big stage and will want to put on a show in front of the best NBA players as he returns to Cleveland.
