Live Thread: All Star Saturday (#MardiGras)

What happens when the NBA All Star Weekend collides with the first big parade of Mardi Gras? Well, the League and TNT can only hope it’s as big of a celebration as last year’s event in Toronto, which saw the virtual rebirth of the Slam Dunk Contest. After Adam Silver announced last summer that the NBA had made a decision to move the location of this year’s game from Charlotte to New Orleans (due to North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2), the Big Easy had to hustle to host it’s second All Star weekend in the last four years (third in the last 10).

“It’s going to be one of the most interesting and complicated weekends we’ve ever had,” said President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau Steven Perry. “In addition to the All-Star Game, we have two citywide conventions that weekend, and, of course, Mardi Gras. We’re going to have a sold-out city.”

All Star Saturday night begins with the Skills Challenge, and will be followed up by the Three Point Contest where Kyrie Irving will attempt to win back the title he won in 2013. But, the real showcase of the night should be the rejuvenated Slam Dunk Contest, featuring the high flying exploits of last year’s runner up, Aaron Gordon (who probably should have won for his epic dunks). It should also feature Shaq throwing out 10s like so many strands of beads on Bourbon Street.

The action kicks off at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans at 8 p.m. (EST) on TNT, and the whole evening is once again sponsored by State Farm… so expect wall-to-wall CP3, DJ and Dame commercials).

Participants:

Devin Booker (Suns)
DeMarcus Cousins (Kings)
Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
Gordon Hayward (Jazz)
Nikola Jokic* (Nuggets)
Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks)
Isaiah Thomas (Celtics)
John Wall (Wizards)
* injury replacement for Joel Embiid

Prediction: The NBA has again decided to incorporate some big men with the small, and with good reason, as most of the selected bigs handle the ball extremely well. However, I think the smallest guy in the field will come out on top this time. Isaiah Thomas edges out former teammate, Boogie Cousins for the win.

Participants:

Eric Gordon (Rockets)
Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers)
Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
Wes Matthews (Mavericks)
CJ McCollum (Blazers)
Klay Thompson (Warriors)
Kemba Walker (Hornets)
Nick Young (Lakers)

Prediction: Even without gunners like Steph Curry, Kyle Korver, JJ Redick, or even current league leader Otto Porter (46.5%), this is a pretty deep field. Reigning champ, Klay Thompson, will be tough to beat, although weird things usually happen in this contest… so it wouldn’t be out of the question for someone like Swaggy P to catch fire and win it. Still, Kyrie has already gotten the world (both circular and flat) to put all eyez on him thus far this weekend… so, at the risk of extreme homerism, I’m gonna ride or die with Ky.

Participants:

Aaron Gordon (Magic)
DeAndre Jordan (Clippers)
Glenn Robinson III (Pacers)
Derrick Jones Jr. (Suns)

Prediction: Sadly, Zach Lavine’s season-ending ACL injury will prevent him from defending his title with another dynamic dunking display. Aaron Gordon is back, however, and if you ask me, there’s a pretty clear path to victory for him. Without CP3 to throw lobs to him, DJ probably goes the way of Andre Drummond last year (although the irony of him pulling off a dunk from the free throw line would not be lost). As for the other guys… I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Glenn Robinson dunk a ball… and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Derrick Jones Jr. play period. Obviously, you never know… but I’d expect Gordon to grab the title he was (in my opinion anyway) somewhat robbed of last year with his fantastic throw downs.

Who do you like? And also, while we’re at it, feel free to throw out your beads of wisdom on any hot takes concerning trade deadline rumors…