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Trash it or Keep it – NBA All-Star “Gamechangers” Event

By Stephen Varnum

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This year, Adam Silver has decided to shake things up a bit for the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend.  He first changed up the Rising Stars Challenge by flipping the format.  Silver is a big fan of expanding the NBA overseas, and has changed the game from just rookies vs sophomores, to USA vs World basketball players.  Not sure how much I like that decision?  I can definitely see this would leave out some of the best young players in the future, if half of the criteria is to be from another country…

Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) is introduced before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

I mean I can’t speak for everyone, but I loved seeing the rookies vs the sophomores, or even last year where it was a fantasy draft of a pool of rookies and sophomores.  I think it will be very strange IMO, but I am a fan of Adam Silver, so I will give it a shot.

Another change in All-Star weekend I wanted to talk about, is the intriguing Gamechanger event, that has been added to the weekend.  John Wall and Stephen Curry have been selected to go head-to-head in a HORSEish style match-up.  This is something I can get behind.  If your older than 8 years old, you remember in 2010 that the NBA introduced a straight-up HORSE game where KD and Rajon Rondo went down to the wire in a televised HORSE final.  Check out the vid below –

Now, it didn’t stick the next year, but I found that challenge incredibly entertaining.  This Gamechanger event will be similar to HORSE, but the fans will have some say into what happens.  The fans will vote from a selection of choices on what move/shot each player will do.  I’m just hoping the fans don’t pick too many outside shots, because there is no way that Wall can keep up with Curry’s outside jumpers.  On the other hand, everyone didn’t expect our own Rajon Rondo to make the finals in the HORSE competition, so you never know!

January 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

So, for the most part I am down with the new take on HORSE; but I wanted to get Beantown fans’ opinion of the event…good choice or bad choice? VOTE below!

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