Kenneth Wilson (@ksaidwhat)
The stats have already been given and the cases have really already been made, but I will do my best to pick up the scraps. As far as the first question, “How many players do you expect to be participating in ASW”, I would say seven. These include Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Derrick Jones Jr., and surprise … Chris Silva.
As my colleagues have already mentioned, Duncan Robinson is a virtual lock for the three-point competition, if he decides to do it. Tyler Herro should also be eligible to participate there as well and I would like to see a duo of Heat players in the thing if they are willing.
When it comes to the All-Star Game, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo should both be there. They have both been top players in the conference, for their team, and have both had their names at least tossed around in MVP conversations this season.
Looking at the skills challenge event, you could go a myriad of ways, to be honest. Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and even Jimmy Butler could compete there. It’s pretty self-explanatory with Bam, Nunn, and Herro, but with the way Jimmy’s all-around game has flourished this season with the Heat, he should be eligible to participate.
As my cohorts have asked, is there a need to ask about the dunk contest? Derrick Jones Jr., the honorable Airlane Mode, is the absolute best dunker in the league (in-game or game of H.O.R.S.E.) and one of the league’s preeminent high-flyers. If he so chooses to be there, how can they not have him?
Here is where the shock sets in. Chris Silva should be called upon to play in the rising stars game between the best young American players and the best young players from around the world.
When he’s seen time, he’s excelled and heck, do we all forget he was supposed to just be a two-way G-League guy? He’s made it impossible for the Miami Heat to send him down and that speaks a ton to why he should play in that game.
When it comes to the second part of the question however, “How many do I think can actually make it”, it doesn’t differ that much from my first answer. Everyone mentioned should actually be in the competitions that I put them in, except for Bam. Politics and a zany voting system will likely keep him out.
That’s not such a bad thing for Heat fans though, as indicated by his performance and feelings in a recent home game against San Antonio (see Pop cutting him from National Team). He seems to thrive on that type of motivation.
We look forward to seeing our own participate in the NBA’s celebratory weekend. We wish that the voting was a bit more precise and accurately based, but hey, what can we do? These have been our thoughts though, and we hope to see at least some of them come to fruition.