The NBA on TNT crew announced the rosters for the 2014 NBA Rising Stars Challenge on Thursday night. For the third year in a row, TNT personalities drafted their teams from a pool of rookies and sophomores selected by the NBA's assistant coaches. This time, instead of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal acting as "general managers," the honors went to Grant Hill and Chris Webber. There were some, um, interesting choices, but the right guy went No. 1.
2014 Rising Stars Challenge rosters: Anthony Davis picked first
The coaches snubbed Anthony Davis as an All-Star reserve, but at least Chris Webber picked him first in the Rising Stars draft.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport
The first pick went to Webber, then Hill had two picks in a row, then they alternated until each had taken seven players. The last two picks on each side were selected by O’Neal in a blind draw.
Here’s how it shook out, with the players listed in order of selection:
Team Webber: Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Michael Carter-Williams (Sixers), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Knicks), Trey Burke (Jazz), Jared Sullinger (Celtics), Mason Plumlee (Nets), Victor Oladipo (Magic), Steven Adams (Thunder), Kelly Olynyk (Celtics).
Team Hill: Damian Lillard (Blazers), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Andre Drummond (Pistons), Harrison Barnes (Warriors), Terrence Jones (Rockets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors), Dion Waiters (Cavaliers), Miles Plumlee (Suns) replacing Pero Antic (Hawks).
There were definitely some weird things happening here after the first couple of picks -- who would have bet on Hardaway Jr. going ahead of Burke, or Plumlee ahead of Oladipo? Personally, I’ll take Team Hill. Can’t wait to see Antetokounmpo catching alley-oop passes from Lillard.
You’ll probably want to see Barkley try to pronounce “Valanciunas.”
The Rising Stars Challenge will be played at 9 p.m. ET Feb. 14 on TNT. Fans will be able to vote online to determine the starting lineups.
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