RISING STARS CHALLENGE
Cohen’s Analysis: This is the first year in a while where the Rising Stars game is getting almost as much attention and coverage as the All-Star Game on Sunday. Why is that?
Well, those here at All-Star Weekend believe the talent pool is about to shift and several of the young blossoming talent participating in the rookie-sophomore game will evolve into perennial All-Stars.
With guys like Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Steve Nash inching closer to retirement and with injuries deteriorating the careers of Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Brook Lopez (and possibly Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook), many think the league is ready for the emergence of new upper-echelon talent.