2011 NBA All Star Game

kobe bryantNBA Allstar Weekend is almost upon us, and while people like to groan about ways to make the All Star game more competitive, that’s not what this weekend is all about.

If the NBA truly wanted the allstar game to be competitive they would make it American Allstars versus the World’s Allstars. That game would be intense. But the last thing any GM or owner wants to see is one of his players getting hurt on a meaningless weekend.

Besides, they start to compete for real towards the end of the third quarter and for the entire fourth, when it’s winning time.
Basket-ball is one of those games where not all of a player’s talents on the court can appropriately be showcased during true competitive play. But in the Allstar Game, everyone pulls out all the tricks. That’s what this game is all about.

This year the East got a little tougher with the addition of Amare Stoudemire, and it just might the most athletic starting five for the Eastern side since the days of Dominique, Jordan and Drexler.

As for Western side, there’s a solid mix this year of proven and young talented players with additions Westbrook and Griffin.
Now, I know competitive games aren’t what we typically have come to expect from the NBA Allstar Weekend, but this game could have a little more edge to it than previous years, it’s definitely something you won’t want to miss, unlike the NHL Allstar Game which nobody cares about, or even the NFL Pro Bowl.

Who will be the star of stars this year in Hollywood for NBA’s 60th All Star Game? They couldn’t have picked a better place than Los Angeles for this star studded affair, and when the lights are on, it’s no surprise that Lebron James and Kobe Bryant are the early favourites with the Bodog Sportsbook to win the award, but you really never know. Wade took home the MVP award last year, and he’s a threat to do it again this year.

Anytime it’s being disputed as to who the best basketball player in the world is, that’s when the Mamba strikes. You have to lean towards Kobe just because it is his house and he’s about due for an Allstar MVP performance.

Sleeper picks have to include Durant, Stoudemire, Dirk and Rose, but a guy like Chris Paul or Carmelo Anthony could easily steal it. The fun value in the NBA Allstar Game betting isn’t on who will actually win or lose the game, it’s on all the props surrounding the game.

So if you don’t have them up, get em up!