This is shamelessly lifted from Lucas's morning thread, because why re-write when copy and paste works just fine?
Rising Stars Challenge:
When: Friday, February 19, 8 p.m.
TV: TNT
United States Roster: Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, Zach LaVine, Devin Booker, Jahlil Okafor, Jabari Parker, Elfrid Payton, D'Angelo Russell, Marcus Smart, Karl-Anthony Towns
World Roster: Bojan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, Mario Hezonja, Nikola Jokic, Trey Lyles, Emmanuel Mudiay, Raul Neto, Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell, Andrew Wiggins
Wolves' fans will want to tune into this game if only to see Andrew Wiggins face off against teammates Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns. Chances are that they won't really be going up against each other as I don't see either LaVine or Towns guarding or being guarded by Wiggins (and, truthfully, it doesn't really matter), but it will be a fun spectacle nonetheless. This game will feature a lot of young, up-and-coming talent on both sides, but I give the edge to the U.S. team, for a couple reasons. 1. I'm biased and 2. that U.S. front court is devastating. They could easily start the game with Towns and Okafor and torch the World team on the offensive end of the court. Or they could start Towns and Parker and let them run a nice alternating high-low game. Or they could start Okafor and Parker and bring Towns off the bench to destroy the World team's second unit....there is no end to the U.S. team's options. The U.S. team probably contains more overall talent as well, especially on defense.
The match up I'm most looking forward too (in a game that means literally less than nothing) is Towns v. Porzingis, for obvious reasons. This should be a fun one.
Thanks for doing the work Lucas.
This is an open thread for the game. Don't overdo.