Top Trends for State Farm All-Star Saturday Night

# Trending Topics: Team Predictions for Castrol Rising Stars at All-Star Game Which Castrol Rising Stars team will dominate and reach the All-Star Game this season? # Trending Topics: All-Star Game Firepower Analysis Which All-Star team is stacked with the most talent and firepower this year?

Steve Aschburner

Kia Skills Challenge = Team SpursStarry 3-point Contest = Damian LillardAT&T Slam Dunk = Mac McClung

The Skills Challenge was a process of elimination for me: Team Cavs is too cool, Team Rooks is too raw and Team Warriors will be too distracted as weekend hosts. That leaves immensely skilled Victor Wembanyama and feisty sidekick Chris Paul. I’ll take Lillard to add a third crown in the 3-point Contest because it’s what he does and this is a “home game” for the Oakland native. Nothing against Mac McClung — heck, I’m picking him to win the Dunk Contest — but it would be nice if one of the other young guys who are in the NBA would win. It’d be nice if some NBA stars would compete in this too, but that ship has sailed. McClung’s hops and underdog aura probably will prevail once more.

Brian Martin

Kia Skills Challenge = Team SpursStarry 3-point Contest = Damian LillardAT&T Slam Dunk = Mac McClung

Since the Kia Skills Challenge introduced a team format in 2022, the host city squad has been unbeaten. I have that streak being snapped by an All-Star rookie (Victor Wembanyama) and a veteran (Chris Paul) with Team Spurs. Last year, I picked Damian Lillard to be the first repeat 3-point champ in 16 years and he delivered. Now, I’m picking the Oakland native to be the first three-peat champ in 33 years, joining Craig Hodges and Larry Bird. There has never been a Dunk Contest three-peat … that is, until Saturday night. I’m going with McClung to bring the house down again and edge out Matas Buzelis.

Shaun Powell

Kia Skills Challenge = Team SpursStarry 3-point Contest = Damian LillardAT&T Slam Dunk = Mac McClung

The heart says Team Spurs with Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama, while the brain goes with Team Cavs because everything has worked out well for Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley so far. In the Starry 3-Point Contest, Lillard — born and raised in the Bay Area, and a two-time champ — is here. In the words of Vince Carter, it’s ovah. The Kansas City Chiefs failed to three-peat but McClung will show them how it’s done. He’ll bring more funk to the dunk and — by the way — has he made more money in this contest than from his NBA contract?

John Schuhmann

Kia Skills Challenge = Team WarriorsStarry 3-point Contest = Damian LillardAT&T Slam Dunk = Andre Jackson Jr.

The home team has won the Skills Challenge in each of the last three years. Let’s make it four. Lillard just knows how to win the 3-point Contest and doing it at home (or close to home) should motivate a three-peat. Like Lillard, Mac McClung should be the favorite for a third straight dunk contest crown, but maybe we get some voter fatigue, opening the door for Jackson, who should have the right combination of elevation and flare to dethrone the G Leaguer.