AUCH Roundtable: Talking the Miami Heat’s All-Star weekend presence
Stefan Alvarez (@stef_alvarez)
Miami could be highly represented — and rightfully so — in this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend taking place in Chicago, Illinois. For starters, rookie bucket-getter Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn are near locks for the NBA Rising Stars game which showcases the league’s premier young talent.
Nunn, a two-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month winner, ranks 2nd in points per game (15.4) amongst rookies and is a vital part of Miami’s early-season success with his instant offense approach. Herro currently ranks 6th in points per game and 4th in total points amongst all rookies.
Herro also leads all rookies in three-point field goals. Putting the stats aside for one second, Herro has the persona that the NBA lives to focus on. A confident player that looks like the average human and is highly fashionable.
I would be completely shocked if Herro doesn’t represent Miami during Friday nights All-Star event. Moving onto the Saturday night events — the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the MTN DEW 3-Point Shootout, and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest — Miami has the opportunity to be represented in every event.
Three-point specialist Duncan Robinson has become a rumored name to compete according to NBA.com. Robinson ranks 3rd across the league in 3pt percentage among players who have attempted more than 200 threes this season — trailing only JJ Redick and Davis Bertans.
Since the Taco Bell Skills Challenge has featured 4 guards and 4 big-men in recent years, players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic have showcased their elite talent during this event by showing their guard-like skill sets. This event is set up perfectly for Heat big man Bam Adebayo.
The Kentucky Wildcat product has made a huge leap this season with an increased role, especially on the offensive side. Adebayo should at least draw some attention when the NBA chooses its contestants.
On to the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest and there’s just one thing to say: Flight DJJ. Jones Jr. competed in the contest in 2017 as a member of the Phoenix Suns where he lost in the final round to Glenn Robinson Jr.
DJJ is amongst the league’s highest flyers and has already drawn some rumors of competing during All-Star Saturday night. However, I would be surprised if DJJ competes in the contest as not many players get a second chance at the competition after a loss.
Finally, the All-Star Game. The world’s best pick-up basketball game.
How many Heat players will be represented? Two. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
The duo has led Miami to a strong first half of the season, currently sitting at no.3 in the Eastern Conference. Both players are in the top 7 in All-Star voting for forwards, however, Tacko Fall — who’s appeared in four games and logged a total of 21 minutes all season — currently sits at no. 6, one spot in front of Adebayo.
Shoutout to Tacko Fall and the UCF Knights, by the way. Butler should be considered a lock to appear in his 5th All-Star game. Adebayo may have the harder route, but I’ll explain why he should definitely be an All-Star soon. Stay tuned!