An exhibition game that is always sure to have plenty of scoring, dunking, and little defense is fun to watch because it's an opportunity for the most talented Rookies and Sophomores to put on a show on national television and take advantage of the chance to spread their name. With the All-Star game generally featuring the best players who have propelled their teams to some of the best in the league, the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge features many players who were top picks(many of so still on below .500 teams-how their team got to draft them in the first place) or pleasant surprises who are not yet at an All-Star caliber level but who have shown promise or at least flashes of potential towards such accolades.
Here's a quick review of the changes that have happened in recent years to this particular exhibition game, from the impeccably trusty internet source Wikipedia:
"The Rookie Challenge, established in 1994, was originally competed by two randomly selected teams composed entirely of first-year players. This format was continued until 1996, when it was changed to pit rookie teams of both the Eastern and the Western Conference against each other. In 1999, the game was cancelled as a result of the NBA lockout. Since the 1998 rookie class did not compete that year, the game was revamped and featured a team of standout first-year players ('Rookies') against a team of standout second-year players ('Sophomores'). For 2012 and 2013, the format was changed to having two teams drafted by former NBA superstars Charles Barkley (Team Chuck) and Shaquille O'Neal (Team Shaq). In 2014, the two teams were drafted by Chris Webber (Team Webber) and Grant Hill (Team Hill). Unlike regular NBA games, the game was divided into two twenty-minute halves, similar to college basketball. The participating players were chosen by voting among the league's assistant coaches. In the game, players wear their respective regular team uniforms, except for 2009, in which players wore fan-designed jerseys. The head coaches of the two teams are the lead assistant coaches of the NBA All-Star Game coach. Starting in 2009, two active NBA players were added to the game coaching staffs. The format of the game and name was changed to the Rising Stars Challenge in 2012."
Since I'm in a rush(heading to the gym to play some basketball myself), here's my expectations/predictions:
Once again this game will be a very high scoring affair with little to no defense until the 4th quarter. Look for dunkers and 3 point shooters to rack up the most points(Davis, Oladipo, Lillard, Beal, Barnes, Drummond, Valanciunas). Lillard has been marketed a lot for this game, but since he has 3 events tomorrow then it's hard to know whether he'll be playing big minutes for the win or conserving energy for the real show tomorrow. MVP would most likely go to Davis or Lillard but since both are also playing in the All-Star game then they may be spending more time on the bench. Drummond isn't however, so if he can put his man-child body to work against the soft defense then he can take it should Davis and Lillard be limited. It's anybody's guess though since there are so many good young scorers in this game, should be a fun one. My bet is on the more talented Team Hill, but Team Webber has more physical/gritty players which may be able to compensate for a lack of 3 point shooting threats.
Tip off it 6 p.m. ET on TNT.
Thanks,
Phillip
Full teams Via NBA.com...
Here's a quick review of the changes that have happened in recent years to this particular exhibition game, from the impeccably trusty internet source Wikipedia:
"The Rookie Challenge, established in 1994, was originally competed by two randomly selected teams composed entirely of first-year players. This format was continued until 1996, when it was changed to pit rookie teams of both the Eastern and the Western Conference against each other. In 1999, the game was cancelled as a result of the NBA lockout. Since the 1998 rookie class did not compete that year, the game was revamped and featured a team of standout first-year players ('Rookies') against a team of standout second-year players ('Sophomores'). For 2012 and 2013, the format was changed to having two teams drafted by former NBA superstars Charles Barkley (Team Chuck) and Shaquille O'Neal (Team Shaq). In 2014, the two teams were drafted by Chris Webber (Team Webber) and Grant Hill (Team Hill). Unlike regular NBA games, the game was divided into two twenty-minute halves, similar to college basketball. The participating players were chosen by voting among the league's assistant coaches. In the game, players wear their respective regular team uniforms, except for 2009, in which players wore fan-designed jerseys. The head coaches of the two teams are the lead assistant coaches of the NBA All-Star Game coach. Starting in 2009, two active NBA players were added to the game coaching staffs. The format of the game and name was changed to the Rising Stars Challenge in 2012."
Since I'm in a rush(heading to the gym to play some basketball myself), here's my expectations/predictions:
Once again this game will be a very high scoring affair with little to no defense until the 4th quarter. Look for dunkers and 3 point shooters to rack up the most points(Davis, Oladipo, Lillard, Beal, Barnes, Drummond, Valanciunas). Lillard has been marketed a lot for this game, but since he has 3 events tomorrow then it's hard to know whether he'll be playing big minutes for the win or conserving energy for the real show tomorrow. MVP would most likely go to Davis or Lillard but since both are also playing in the All-Star game then they may be spending more time on the bench. Drummond isn't however, so if he can put his man-child body to work against the soft defense then he can take it should Davis and Lillard be limited. It's anybody's guess though since there are so many good young scorers in this game, should be a fun one. My bet is on the more talented Team Hill, but Team Webber has more physical/gritty players which may be able to compensate for a lack of 3 point shooting threats.
Tip off it 6 p.m. ET on TNT.
Thanks,
Phillip
Full teams Via NBA.com...
| TEAM WEBBER | ||||
| Player | NBA Team | Class | Draft Pick | Year |
| Anthony Davis | New Orleans | Soph. | No. 1 | 2012 |
| Michael Carter-Williams | Philadelphia | Rookie | No. 11 | 2013 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | New York | Rookie | No. 24 | 2013 |
| Trey Burke | Utah | Rookie | No. 9 | 2013 |
| Jared Sullinger | Boston | Soph. | No. 21 | 2012 |
| Mason Plumlee | Brooklyn | Rookie | No. 22 | 2013 |
| Victor Oladipo | Orlando | Rookie | No. 2 | 2013 |
| Steven Adams | OKC | Rookie | No. 12 | 2013 |
| Kelly Olynyk | Boston | Rookie | No. 13 | 2013 |
| TEAM HILL | ||||
| Player | NBA Team | Class | Draft Pick | Year |
| Damian Lillard | Portland | Soph. | No. 6 | 2012 |
| Bradley Beal | Washington | Soph. | No. 3 | 2012 |
| Andre Drummond | Detroit | Soph. | No. 9 | 2012 |
| Harrison Barnes | Golden State | Soph. | No. 7 | 2012 |
| Terrence Jones | Houston | Soph. | No. 18 | 2012 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee | Rookie | No. 15 | 2013 |
| Jonas Valanciunas | Toronto | Soph. | No. 5 | 2011 |
| Dion Waiters | Cleveland | Soph. | No. 4 | 2012 |
| Miles Plumlee** | Phoenix | Soph. | No. 26 | 2012 |
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