NBA All-Star Weekend 2016: Rising Stars Challenge Preview
Lakers guards D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson will have the chance to shine at NBA All-Star Weekend in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge
NBA All-Star Weekend 2016 kicks off on Friday night with the Celebrity Game and then the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge. Formerly the Rookie-Sophomore Game, some of the best young players in the league will take the stage in a USA vs. World format, including the young backcourt duo for the Los Angeles Lakers in rookie D’Angelo Russell and sophomore Jordan Clarkson.
Both Lakers guards will lace up their shoes for the U.S. Team on Friday night and, quite frankly, there’s plenty of reason for Lakers fans to be excited about what they could see from the duo. Sure, it’d be nice if the NBA had made it a trio by adding Julius Randle, but that doesn’t mean that fans shouldn’t be anxious to see what Russell and Clarkson can do in this environment (re: uninhibited by Byron Scott).
While Clarkson should be able to show off the scoring ability that he’s shown over his first season and a half in the league in a game where defense isn’t played at a high level. However, what should be more enticing for Lakers fans is watching Russell assumedly have free reign in an offense and, even more so, working in the pick-and-roll with a player as talented as Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Towns has proven that he’s already a fantastic NBA player and one with a bevy of offensive talents. However, he stands in stark contrast to the majority of the Lakers frontcourt because of his fluidity and versatility on the offensive end of the floor. Watching Russell with his ability to facilitate and make highlight passes on the NBA All-Star stage with Towns could show what he’s truly capable of.
In terms of how the game itself should play out, the U.S. Team has a far deeper backcourt while the World Team is substantially deeper in the frontcourt. However, the U.S. Team’s roster looks to have more high quality talent dispersed throughout and should be able to ultimately edge out the World Team. Hopefully, though, that victory will come with the Lakers shining to kick off NBA All-Star Weekend.
USA vs. World
Date: Friday, Feb. 12
Start Time: 6 p.m. PT
Location: Toronto, ON
Arena: Air Canada Centre
TV Info: TNT
Live Stream: WatchTNT
Rosters
U.S. Team
- Jordan Clarkson – G – Lakers
- D’Angelo Russell – G – Lakers
- Rodney Hood – G – Jazz
- Zach LaVine – G – Timberwolves
- Devin Booker – G – Suns (replacing Nerlens Noel)
- Elfrid Payton – G – Magic
- Marcus Smart – G – Celtics
- Jabari Parker – F – Bucks
- Jahlil Okafor – C – 76ers
- Karl-Anthony Towns – C – Timberwolves
World Team
- Emmanuel Mudiay – G – Nuggets
- Raul Neto – G – Jazz
- Mario Hezonja – G/F – Magic
- Andrew Wiggins – G/F – Timberwolves
- Bojan Bogdanovic – G/F – Nets
- Trey Lyles – F – Jazz (replacing injured Nikola Mirotic)
- Kristaps Porzingis – F/C – Knicks
- Dwight Powell – F/C – Mavericks
- Clint Capela – F/C – Rockets
- Nikola Jokic – C – Nuggets
Next: 5 Possible Trade Destinations for Brandon Bass
Enjoy the pair of young Lakers in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend and be sure to check back with Lake Show Life for all your Lakers updates, news, analysis, and more.