[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

 

John Wall captured the 2011 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge MVP award with a record 22 assists.

NBAE via Getty Images

Young talent on display in BBVA Rising Stars Challenge

 

Posted Jan 31 2012 1:34PM

 

What: BBVA Rising Stars Challenge

When: Feb. 24, 9 p.m. ET

Where: Amway Center

TV: TNT

NBA All-Star 2012 will play host to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, which will introduce an exciting new format to a game that has historically featured NBA rookies facing off against sophomores. For the first time, rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. BBVA, the Official Bank of the NBA, will serve as the title partner of the new event.

TNT Analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as the general managers of two opposing teams, each with nine man rosters, consisting of NBA rookies and sophomores drafted from a pool that was previously selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches. Also, TNT’s Kenny Smith will serve as the honorary Commissioner and Ernie Johnson will host the live BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft on Thursday, Feb. 16, on NBA TV at 7 p.m. ET.

http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/rising-stars-12/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

Taking a play off of the NHL All-Star game, like the GM format. Will be interesting to see how competitive this gets, plus who goes where in the draft. 

[JordanC20Participant]

 Don’t like this format but whatever…

[Anton123Participant]

 It’s probably good since the sophmores would’ve absolutely destroyed the rookies. Should be an interesting watch

Although TBH the thing I loved about the rookie-sophmore game was how simple and straight-forward it was. No dances, no stars popping up and singing, just a nice entertaining game of basketball.

[B FreeParticipant]

 This will at least be exciting, new and fun,with Chuck involved anything can happen.

[Ghost01Participant]

 The Rook/Soph thing had gotten pretty old. This way they can do the fun draft thing without affecting the real game like the NHL did. 

[qDizzle32Participant]

 I’m sure the reason why their mixing rookies and sophomores on the same teams is cuz all the rookies who could play in the rookie game this year all point guards except for MarShon Brooks 

[llperez]

this isnt new, this is how the rookie game used to be. But i kinda like it. Makes it a little more interesting to see the draft.

[Bob BallParticipant]

 is blake griffen able to play he’S kind off a spohmore. If Blakes not playing who do you think is the number 1 pick  In this Chuck Shaq draft?

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

 It should be a fun and exciting game, but we all know what happened the last time Charles Barkley was involved in a draft.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

They used to split the ROOKIES on two separate teams, when it was called the rookie game. Than, after the lockout shortened year that had no All-Star break, they came up with the Rookies versus Sophomores. Since than, they have always been one team of rookies against another team of sophomores. Plus, I never remember there being a draft splitting up the old teams.

My only issue with this format is size making things confusing. The NHL has clearly defined positions as well, but I do not feel that size is as much of a factor as it is in basketball. True, it is an All-Star Game and guards tend to rule, but I have seen quite a few Rookie/Sophomore games go to the bigger, stronger team.

The draft should at the very least be interesting, though I could care less about Kenny Smith being "commissioner". Team Shaq versus Team Chuck is cool though, two of the best and most well known players fielding a group of ballers. At the very least, the teams should hopefully be fair and competitive. Nobody wants to be Michael Jordan when it comes to executive decisions……

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Chuck: "Imma selec Kevin Seraphin, cause da Rookie-Sophomore Challeng is a Power Forward-dominated game."

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 I loved the Rookie vs Sophomore format.  It was great, and not only was it exciting but the teams also played for pride on the line.  The Sophs didn’t want these rooks beating them, but the rooks wanted too so bad to show them they’re here now.  

Plus last year the rookies put on a show wit Wall, Griffin, and Cousins, not the sophomores.  Like I can’t see too many rookies even getting a chance to start with sophomores on their team.

I hope Brooks get’s a chance to shine in this game he got the talent to do it.  

I was looking forward to seeing Irving and Rubio go against Wall now Irving and Wall might even be on the same team.

If I had the first pick I’m drafting Rubio cuz he’s made to play in games like this with his passing.  Cousins would also be in consideration with my top pick.

Turner better not get snubbed again I can’t wait to see him make up for his snub last year this year.  I’m gonna go ape sh!t if say Wes Johnson or Fields makes it over him again.  I can see Turner getting an easy triple double in this game.

[delfamParticipant]

 Rookies: Irving, Rubio, Knight, Brooks, Shumpert, Leonard, Markief

Sophmores: Wall, Turner, Cousins, Monroe, Hayward, George, 

So I see 13 locks, need 2 more rookies and 3 more sophmores locks on each team. Also most of these are guards so there would have to be some more big men. Any chance Lavoy or Vucevic makes the team cause the need for big men?

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Watch out for Trevor Booker of the Wizards

[llperez]

@mikeyvthedon, I meant the draft isn’t new. They used to have coaches draft the rookies round by round for the rookie game. But u are right in that it didn’t include sophomores before

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I always thought they just split up the teams those first two years. First year it was "Phenoms" (coach Doug Collins) against "Sensations" (coach KC Jones). 1995 it was the even more original "White" (Cotton Fitzsimmons) versus "Green" (Al Attles). Each one afterwards was either East vs. West or Rookie vs. Sophomores.

Seeing that as we post on NBADraft.net, that we kind of think the draft is cool, I see no documented proof of who was selected where or the two coaches ever having an actual draft. They may have, behind closed doors, but not like this. Hence, it being a new format. If you can find me a draft of those first two teams, I would love to see it, but I never recall coaches (or in this years case "GM’s") picking sides. 

[llperez]

I very vividly remember them drafting the players back and forth in 1994. I even remember when the coach won the first pick, the opposite teams coach argued that he should be awarded the 2nd and 3rd pick. It was on television and not behind closed doors. I’ll look later when I’m not posting from my phone

[aamir543Participant]

I really like the idea, and the game will be great. As for who picks who, I would take DeMarcus Cousins first, and then you get either Wall or Irving or possibly even Turner to pair with Cousins. I really like Cousins’ future, and he has really been coming into his own as of late. And don’t forget, Jeremy Lin is a sophmore too…………………..

[llperez]

well i cant find anything bringing up the rosters for how the rookie team was selected, but i can assure you with 100% certainty there was a draft between the coaches back then.

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