NBA All-Star Saturday Open Thread

Happy Saturday. Let's get to the roundup of events we have for you.

The Main Event: Battle of the Game Changers, 11 a.m. on NBA TV

John Wall faces off against Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry in a game of H-O-R-S-E sponsored by Degree Deodorant. I've seen conflicting times between 10:30 a.m. and 11, but I'm going with 11:

Watch @StephenCurry30 vs @JohnWall in the Battle of the Game Changers, this Sat 2/14, 11 AM on NBATV. https://t.co/ayDFKA5alj

— Degree Men (@DegreeMen) February 13, 2015

Wall may not be making threes at the same clip. Even though fans get to choose what shots these two guys attempt, I hope we get to see something like this instead with food on the line:

All-Star Saturday Night, 8 p.m. on TNT

John Wall and Bradley Beal won't be part of the festivities, but the show goes on I guess.

Shooting Stars Event

An NBA All-Star, a WNBA superstar, and a retired NBA player (a/k/a the legend) shoot from various locations ranging from a bank shot to a half court heave. There is no conference supremacy on the line unlike last year. The teams:

• Chris Bosh (Heat), Swin Cash (New York Liberty), and Dominique Wilkins - this trio won each of the last two Shooting Stars competitions. I don't think they have been the favorite every year, but when it counts, they've delivered.
• Stephen Curry (Warriors), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), and Dell Curry - This group is my prohibitive favorite given that all three are known threats from the three point line. But if Wall pulverizes Curry this morning, that could get into Curry's head. Maybe State Farm's "Professor" is going to need an assist from the "Tenacinator" and his daddy.
• Paul Millsap (Hawks), Elena Delle Donne (Chicago Sky), and Scottie Pippen - This was originally supposed to be Anthony Davis' team, but he is sitting this out due to a shoulder injury.
• Russell Westbrook (Thunder), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), and Penny Hardaway

Skills Challenge

Players go head to head in an 8-man single elimination tournament where they dribble, pass, and shoot the ball on an obstacle course. The participants are:

• Patrick Beverley (Rockets)
• Trey Burke (Jazz)
• Brandon Knight (Bucks)
• Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
• Elfrid Payton (Magic)
• Dennis Schroder (Hawks)
• Jeff Teague (Hawks)
• Isaiah Thomas (Suns)

Three Point Shooting Contest

It's when you do something like this:

And get kudos from your babysitter like this:

Here's a proud babysitter. @Nelly_Mo pic.twitter.com/4gEHF0B1A9

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2014

The participants are:

• Marco Belinelli (Spurs), last year's champion
• Stephen Curry (Warriors) - he's having a busy Saturday....
• James Harden (Rockets)
• Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers)
• Kyle Korver (Hawks)
• Wesley Matthews (Trail Blazers)
• J.J. Redick (Clippers)
• Klay Thompson (Warriors)

Slam Dunk Contest

Four players will dunk off in a two round event. The slam dunk contest is getting back to its classic roots, because John Wall's "Good Night" dunk was too perfect:

The participants are:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
• Zach LaVine (Timberwolves)
• Victor Oladipo (Magic)
• Mason Plumlee (Nets)

Enjoy your Saturdays everyone.