BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Rosters Set

The rosters for the Rising Stars Challenge were set today.  The draft took place this evening as Charles Barkley & Shaquille O'Neal drafted their teams.

Before the draft, the NBA added sophomore and recent sensation New York Knick Jeremy Lin to the list of draftable players as well as Miami Heat rookie Norris Cole.

Shaquille O'Neal won the coin toss so he selected first.  Here are the team's and the order the players were drafted below (obviously, Shaq & Chuck went back and forth as they selected)...

Team SHAQ

1. Blake Griffin (LAC)
2. Jeremy Lin (NYK)
3. Ricky Rubio (MIN)
4. Greg Monroe (DET)
5. Markieff Morris (PHO)
6. Kemba Walker (CHA)
7. Landry Fields (NYK)
8. Norris Cole (MIA)
9. Brandon Knight (DET)
10. Tristan Thompson (CLE)

team Chuck

1. Kyrie Irving (CLE)
2. DeMarcus Cousins (SAC)
3. Paul George (IND)
4. Derrick Williams (MIN)
5. MarShon Brooks (NJN)
6. John Wall (WSH)
7. Gordon Hayward (UTA)
8. Tiago Splitter (SAS)
9. Kawhi Leonard (SAS)
10. Evan Turner (PHI)

So, it looks as though fellow rookie TWolf's will be playing on opposite teams.  Though, if you notice, Rubio is one of the five point guards selected by Shaquille O'Neal.  Doing his best David Kahn impression?  Maybe...

Chuck certainly has the more balanced team, but ultimately...do you really care who wins?  It's just going to be fun to watch a lot of these young guys go out and show off their skills.

Other thoughts: John Wall fell that low?  May have a bit of a 'chip on his shoulder' after that.  I guess that's the result when you're the best player and leader on a team that's won 7 games this season.  Though, Shaq's pick at number six is a rookie who's team has won just 3 games this season...

Here's hoping one of the sophomores gets injured and Nikola Pekovic is finally recognized for what he's been doing in the TWolves frontcourt these past few weeks and gets an invite.  I don't know if they actually have injury replacements for this game and I don't really hope any player gets seriously injured before All-Star weekend.  Just want Pek to get the recognition he's earned, from his stellar play.

That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!