NBA All-Star weekend has become one of the most celebrated sports events, second only to the Super Bowl. Thousands of people from around the world have converged in Dallas to party with celebrities and watch some of the NBA’s best athletes battle on the court. Although “snowmageddon” has made its way through Texas, All-Star festivities should heat things up a bit. Here are several of the top story lines of the weekend and predictions of how things will turn out. –amir shaw
1. Kevin Durant will WIN NBA All-Star MVP – It takes a special athlete to shine among the best players in the world. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder often takes high percentage shots and scores with ease. And without Kobe Bryant taking most of the shots, Durant will have a chance to outdo LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
2. Shannon Brown will win the Slam Dunk Contest – It would have been a Texas-sized contest if LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Josh Smith decided to show off their best dunks. However, out of a field that includes Nate Robinson and Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown of the Lakers should put on a show that inspires James to enter the contest in 2011.
3. 90,000 people will NOT pack Cowboys Stadium – After Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones built a mammoth stadium that cost $1.3 billion, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban teamed up with Jones to bring the NBA All-Star game to the super stadium. While Cuban and Jones are hoping to fill the stadium with 90,000 people, it’s very unlikely that will happen. With Kobe Bryant out of the game due to injury, and inclement weather wreaking havoc on travel plans, attendance will probably fall short by 30,000.
