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Props to G time for being selected to the Rising Stars game (previously called Fresh vs Sophs) during All Star weekend. He's in good company.

The only thing that worries me is that Hayward might be confused about game strategy. Hayward actually plays defense!

enes ?

by galatasaray on Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:59 am
enes ?

He spells his name Hayward! There's no enes in it.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, and Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Ricky Rubio, who ranks third overall in assists, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge to be held on Friday, Feb. 24, in Orlando during NBA All-Star 2012.

Joining Griffin from the Sophomore class are: DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Irving and Rubio are joined by fellow first-year players MarShon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).

The participants in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

Kanter should have made it in before Williams, but the Wolves are the ESPN/NBA poster team right now, so I'm not surprised.

by BJSmiles on Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:36 pm
Kanter should have made it in before Williams, but the Wolves are the ESPN/NBA poster team right now, so I'm not surprised.

Kanter doesn't play enough minutes. Favors is playing enough minutes but he hasn't come up big in memorable games. He might get in when a couple of the other guys decline to play. It's all about the impression that players make in the coaches mind. Each player has a possible 30 votes.

Congrats Hayward! Although I like him as a player and look forward to having him on the Jazz, he has no future of being part of the All-Star game going forward.

by spoonhoops on Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:44 pm
Congrats Hayward! Although I like him as a player and look forward to having him on the Jazz, he has no future of being part of the All-Star game going forward.

And how exactly would you know that?

Oh, you don't!

I was more shocked that Favors wasn't selected. Congrats to Gordo, tho. TOO BIG YO

Im surpised they limited to only 18 players. I would assume they would want to promote as many young guys as they can and would have let 24 players in. Kanter has had an awesome rookie year. Favors had a loss year last year so basically he is a rookie and he is developing. Burks would be scoring well if he played his minutes. Let the young guys play bc they need to prove themselves. The unselected players have to be a litte disappointed.

HolyToledo wrote:Favors had a loss year last year so basically he is a rookie

Why? He played 78 games last season (27 of them as a starter) for two different teams. He averaged about 20 minutes per game. How much more experience as a rookie could you possibly ask for?

spoonhoops wrote:Congrats Hayward! Although I like him as a player and look forward to having him on the Jazz, he has no future of being part of the All-Star game going forward.

lol you dont know that at all, a year ago would you have thought that ryan anderson would be in all-star negotiations? probably not.

I just hope he doesn't get injured. I think all star games are worthless..

(sorry to be negative)

by Matt007b on Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:19 pm
I just hope he doesn't get injured. I think all star games are worthless..

(sorry to be negative)

Yeah, All Star games are worthless. Injuries---that's why they don't play defense. Most injuries occur during hard defense.