Rookies and Sophs to be mixed, Shaq and Chuck to serve as GMs

[Mel_13]

NBA All-Star 2012 will play host to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, which will introduce an exciting new format to a game that has historically featured NBA rookies facing off against sophomores. For the first time, rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. TNT Analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as the general managers of two opposing teams, each with nine man rosters, consisting of NBA rookies and sophomores drafted from a pool that was previously selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches. Also, TNT’s Kenny Smith will serve as the honorary Commissioner and Ernie Johnson will host the live BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft on Thursday, Feb. 16, on NBA TV at 7 p.m. ET. The pool of players will be announced on Feb. 8, followed by the live BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft on Thursday evening, Feb. 16. Fellow TNT Analysts Mike Fratello and Steve Kerr will be part of the coaching staffs for the teams, with Fratello joining TEAM CHUCK and Kerr joining TEAM SHAQ. The Head Coaches for both teams will be the lead assistant coaches from the 2012 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs.

http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nba/35124/allstar_game_rookie_and_sophomores_will_be_mixed_t ogether.html

Tiago and Kawhi could both go.

[024]

good idea. if it were the sophomore vs rookies format, it would be a terrible, terrible rout.

[loveforthegame]

I like that. :tu

Hope Leonard and Splitter get the nods.

[will_spurs]

Good to see the NBA not taking things so seriously any more and bringing back a bit of fun to the ASG. The live draft and the trash talk between "Shaq" and "Chuck" might actually be the best moment in the whole ASG week-end.

[timtonymanu]

If it was strictly rookie vs sophomores again, the rookie team will have all guards and Leonard would have been the tallest one.

Like this new concept.

[Dex]

Still waiting for the NBA to start running some 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 games on AllStar Weekend.

[deibero]

I like that. :tu

Hope Leonard and Splitter get the nods.

neal?

[loveforthegame]

neal?

Doh. I was thinking this was his 3rd year. Hope he makes it too but I doubt 3 Spurs get the nod.

[Mal]

Rookie bigs clearly sucks. Leuer and Vucevic seams best options, so rookie big are a joke. Then we have Cousins, Monroe even Favors more likely then Splitter from sophmores. Leonard is sure thing, I dont know about Splitter. Talentwise - yes, but all star game is a show.

[timtonymanu]

I think Splitter gets in easily. He's been getting a lot of love from Chuck on TNT. Not a lot of sophomores have played well this year. Wall, Cousins, George, Monroe, and Blake are the only other standouts this year.

[Mel_13]

The player pool will be determined by votes from the league's assistant coaches. Shaq and Chuck will just pick sides. I think Tiago is a safer bet than Leonard and that Neal has no chance.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=N&year_min=2012&year_max=2012&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=2&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&is_active=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=0&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=pts_per_g_req&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=per

[therealtruth]

I almost don't want Splitter to play because of the chance of injury. It will give Pop another reason to not play him.

[024]

I almost don't want Splitter to play because of the chance of injury. It will give Pop another reason to not play him.
even worse, tiago might actually dunk with one hand and leave pop with no choice but to bench him for the remaining season.

[Spurtacus]

I like this idea.

Leonard is a lock to play. Hopefully Splitter gets in.

[angelbelow]

Refreshing variation on an otherwise boring event.

[liltex2010]

Still waiting for the NBA to start running some 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 games on AllStar Weekend.

i been saying that for years, but not really enough time..

[Buddy Holly]

The player pool will be determined by votes from the league's assistant coaches. Shaq and Chuck will just pick sides. I think Tiago is a safer bet than Leonard and that Neal has no chance.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=N&year_min=2012&year_max=2012&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=2&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&is_active=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=0&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=pts_per_g_req&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=per

Leonard is the best rookie SF. Why wouldn't he have a shot?

[SA210]

I think Splitter gets in easily. He's been getting a lot of love from Chuck on TNT. Not a lot of sophomores have played well this year. Wall, Cousins, George, Monroe, and Blake are the only other standouts this year.

What has chuck said? I really haven't been able to see much TNT this season.

[TDMVPDPOY]

why they keep on shoving shaq down out throats....fkn his not relevant no more..

[Mel_13]

Leonard is the best rookie SF. Why wouldn't he have a shot?

Reading is fundamental.

[Obstructed_View]

Who is it that's perpetuating the myth that Shaq is the least bit entertaining?