With most of this week's NBA action set for All-Star Weekend, this week's Fast Break is dedicated to a closer look at what to watch for in New Orleans--from the Slam Dunk Contest to the Three-Point Shootout, to the Rookie Challenge, Skills Challenge and the All-Star Game itself. A complete primer...
 

  The rookie challenge GAME 

When it is: Friday, Feb.15, at 9 pm ET at New Orleans Arena
What it's all about: A selection of the NBA's best rookies take on a group of the league's top second-year players in an exhibition game.
What/who to watch for: Dunks, dunks, dunks, and some more dunks. 

PLAYING IN THIS YEAR'S GAME ARE:

For the Rookies:

- Kevin Durant, SG, SuperSonics: Almost a lock already for Rookie of the Year, Durant is a good bet to lead the rooks in scoring here.
- Al Horford, PF/C, Hawks: He is more of a low-post guy and so may not bring the flashy moves in this one, but will likely play well regardless.
- Mike Conley, PG, Grizzlies: His lightning quickness should be perfect for an up-and-down contest like this one.
- Yi Jianlian, PF, Bucks: He's not all that flashy but Yi has a lot of skill and might light it up from the outside.
- Sean Williams, PF/C, Nets: Sleeper alert! Williams has fantastic athleticism and may dominate in this game at both ends.
- Jeff Green, F, SuperSonics: He gets overlooked playing alongside Durant but Green is a very polished rookie forward.
- Jamario Moon, F, Raptors: At 27 he's a more veteran rookie, but he can out-jump everyone in this game. Expect lots of dunks.
- Luis Scola, F, Rockets: Another veteran rookie (he's 27), Scola is highly-skilled. He's more fundamentals than playground moves, so don't expect major highlights.
- Juan Carlos Navarro, G, Grizzlies: Keep an eye on this 27-year-old rookie. Navarro has the ability to win this game with circus shots.

For the Sophomores:

- Brandon Roy, SG, Trail Blazers: He is sometimes seen as more skilled than athletic but Roy will still likely pour in the points here.
- Rudy Gay, F, Grizzlies. A high-flyer who may give people a preview of his dunk skills for Saturday.
- LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Trail Blazers: He will do the dirty work under the basket but Aldridge may not be all that busy filling the lane for dunks here.
- Andrea Bargnani, F/C, Raptors: After an awful start to the season Il Mago has really come on strongly lately. He can do a lot for a big-man.
- Rajon Rondo, PG, Celtics: Explosive and super-athletic, Rondo should pile up the assists in this contest.
- Ronnie Brewer, G/F, Jazz: Brewer is very athletic but his defensive prowess may not be rewarded very well in this game.
- Jordan Farmar, PG, Lakers: He can really push the ball and that makes him one to watch in this game.
- Daniel Gibson, G, Cavaliers: His sweet stroke from the perimeter will keep the rookies honest (not that anyone is playing defense in this game).
- Paul Millsap, PF, Jazz: A major sleeper. Don't be surprised if he leads this game in rebounds.

FEARLESS FORECAST: 152-148 for the rookies. This may be seen as a bit of an upset, but the Rookies have those three 27-year-olds who may help them pull out the win. Look for Durant to cop MVP honors.

  The skills CHALLENGE 

When it is: Saturday, Feb.16, at 8 pm ET at New Orleans Arena
What it's all about: Four NBA players compete through a timed obstacle course that tests ball-handling, passing, and shooting accuracy.
What/who to watch for: A heated battle by these four guards. They include:

- Dwyane Wade, G, Heat: The two-time defending champion of this event will be tough to beat.
- Chris Paul, PG, Hornets: He will have the home crowd on his side and is certainly as skilled as any player in the Association.
- Deron Williams, PG, Jazz: His great fundamentals should shine through here, and he will want to do well after being an All-Star Game snub.
- Jason Kidd, PG, Nets: Kidd still owns incredible quickness and dexterity that is second to none.

FEARLESS FORECAST: Kidd over Wade in the final. Wade is proven in this event but may overlook the aging Kidd, who is as cool under pressure as they come.

  The three-point SHOOTOUT 

When it is: Saturday, Feb.16, after 8 pm ET at New Orleans Arena
What it's all about: Six sweet-shooters try to hit as many three-pointers as possible from different spots around the arc in a timed event.
What/who to watch for: Potentially some classic performances, especially with Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, and Kobe Bryant participating. The field is:

- Jason Kapono, SF, Raptors: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .510. A simply unreal pure shooter, Kapono is the defending champ here. He'll be tough to beat.
- Steve Nash, PG, Suns: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .470. Besides having incredible form and consistency, Nash is possibly the most clutch long-range shooter in the league.
- Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .354. His average isn't as good as the others here but Kobe is simply money when it matters.
- Peja Stojakovic, SF, Hornets: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .466. He has won this contest before (twice), and in front of the home fans he will be a factor.
- Richard Hamilton, SG, Pistons: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .460. He is very accurate but Rip doesn't actually take all that many threes. 
- Daniel Gibson, G, Cavaliers: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .467. Also known as "Boobie," the second-year Gibson is emerging as one of the NBA's best from long range.

FEARLESS FORECAST: Nash over Kapono in the final. It's tough to pick against Kapono because he's so good but Nash's clutch ability should win out.

  The slam-dunk CONTEST 

When it is: Saturday, Feb.16, after 8 pm ET at New Orleans Arena
What it's all about: Four of the NBA's most athletic and creative young leapers try to out-dunk each other in front of fans, fellow players, and celebrity judges.
What/who to watch for: A better contest than there has been in some recent years. All four of this year's contestants seem pumped to bring their best. They are:

- Gerald Green, SF, Timberwolves: Height: 6-8. Green is the defending champ in this contest, and is a true high flyer. He also brings a nice mix of power and execution.
- Dwight Howard, C, Magic: Height: 6-11. If Howard wins here he will be the tallest player ever to take the contest. Look for lots of power and creativity but not as much finesse.
- Rudy Gay, F, Grizzlies: Height: 6-9. Gay doesn't get as much credit for his creativity because he's such a sound fundamental player, but he can really sky.
- Jamario Moon, F, Raptors: Height: 6-8. A darkhorse here. He's not as well-known as the rest of this field but Moon may be soon. He may have the best leaping ability of the four.

FEARLESS FORECAST: Moon takes the final over Howard. Raptors fans have come to appreciate Moon's incredible leaping and athleticism, and it should be on full display in this contest.

  The three-point SHOOTOUT 

When it is: Saturday, Feb.16, after 8 pm ET at New Orleans Arena
What it's all about: Six sweet-shooters try to hit as many three-pointers as possible from different spots around the arc in a timed event.
What/who to watch for: Potentially some classic performances, especially with Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, and Kobe Bryant participating. The field is:

- Jason Kapono, SF, Raptors: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .510. A simply unreal pure shooter, Kapono is the defending champ here. He'll be tough to beat.
- Steve Nash, PG, Suns: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .470. Besides having incredible form and consistency, Nash is possibly the most clutch long-range shooter in the league.
- Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .354. His average isn't as good as the others here but Kobe is simply money when it matters.
- Peja Stojakovic, SF, Hornets: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .466. He has won this contest before (twice), and in front of the home fans he will be a factor.
- Richard Hamilton, SG, Pistons: 2007-08 3-point percentage: .460. He is very accurate but Rip doesn't actually take all that many threes. - Daniel Gibson, G, Cavaliers. 2007-08 3-point percentage: .467. Also known as ÎBoobie,' the second-year Gibson is emerging as one of the NBA's best from long range.

FEARLESS FORECAST: Nash over Kapono in the final. It's tough to pick against Kapono because he's so good but Nash's clutch ability should win out.

  The all-star GAME 

When it is: Sunday, Feb.17, at 8:30 pm ET at New Orleans Arena
What it's all about: The NBA's best players from the Eastern conference square off against the NBA's best from the Western conference (with Îthe best' determined by votes from fans for the starters and by coaches for the reserves).
What/who to watch for: Expect lots of dunks, lots of scoring, lots of creativity, and not a lot of defensive intensity. The rosters:

EAST STARTERS

C - Dwight Howard, Magic: A true rising star and a dominator inside. Look for a lot of boards and some big monster dunks.
PF - Kevin Garnett, Celtics: The Big Ticket won't play in this year's game because of a sore abdomen.
SF - LeBron James, Cavaliers: Probably the game's best all-round player, LeBron is always a threat to take the MVP of this game.
SG - Dwyane Wade, Heat: Miami's terrible campaign has overshadowed a strong comeback season for Flash.
PG - Jason Kidd, Nets: Will he be traded during this Weekend? Maybe. Regardless, no one runs the break better than this guy.

Reserves

C - Chris Bosh, Raptors: Toronto's heart-and-soul player is still highly underrated and is one of the NBA's emerging elites.
PF - Antawn Jamison, Wizards: As consistent as they come. Look for lots of boards and some nice perimeter shooting.
SF - Caron Butler, Wizards: His emergence since the injury to Gilbert Arenas has been impressive. A real do-it-all force.
SG - Paul Pierce, Celtics: He's always a threat to put up big numbers but isn't very flashy, making him less of a highlight guy here.
PG - Chauncey Billups, Pistons: He's still lightning-quick and a clutch shooter and distributor.
F/C - Rasheed Wallace, Pistons: An injury fill-in for Garnett, Wallace is a sweet shooter for a big man.
G/F - Joe Johnson, Hawks: His ability to put up both big scoring numbers and big assists is rare.
G/F - Richard Hamilton, Pistons: Mr. Mask often gets named to these games despite not putting up huge numbers. A solid all-round performer.

WEST STARTERS

C - Yao Ming, Rockets: He may be the best overall pure center in the game. But can he keep up with this particular game's pace?
PF - Tim Duncan, Spurs: Big Fundamental isn't really all about the flashy plays, but he will get his share of boards here.
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets: Game MVP alert! 'Melo is a good bet to lead this one in scoring.
SG - Kobe Bryant, Lakers: Now happy and on a real contender, Kobe may celebrate with, say, 40.
PG - Allen Iverson, Nuggets: To his credit, The Answer usually passes first during All-Star games.

Reserves

C - Amare Stoudemire, Suns: There are few big-men as explosive and mobile.
PF - Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks: The reigning MVP is having a pretty quiet campaign, but will make himself known in this one.
SF - Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers: His fantastic play for Portland has the Blazers looking much better than anyone expected.
SG - Chris Paul, Hornets: To be fair he's really a point guard, but he will play a lot in this one and can certainly score when called upon.
PG - Steve Nash, Suns: The game's best playmaker could get 100 points out of high school team playing in the NBA.
F/C - Carlos Boozer, Jazz: He has slowed down a little recently but remains a beast in the post.
F - David West, Hornets: Playing in front of his home fans, West should have a solid outing.

FEARLESS FORECAST: 140-128, West. If Garnett were playing the East might actually have a better starting five, but he's not and the West's reserves are incredible. That depth should help them carry the day. Also look for Chris Paul to take the game MVP in front of his hometown faithful.

  The super SNUBS 

Who should have probably been named All-Stars this year but weren't? A short list...

East Snubs

1. Gerald Wallace, F, Bobcats: Playing for the Bobs he doesn't get a lot of attention, but overall game is as good as anyone's in the NBA not named LeBron.
2. Josh Smith, F, Hawks: A truly unique talent who can dominate in every facet. He's becoming a sort of hybrid of Andrei Kirilenko and Shawn Marion (and is just as overlooked).
3. Andre Iguodala, SG, Sixers: Where is the love? This guy is not only one of the NBA's most exciting players, he's a superb defender and a triple-double threat.
4. Jose Calderon, PG, Raptors: After T.J. Ford went down Calderon became the East's version of Steve Nash. It's a shame more people don't know about him.
5. Danny Granger, F, Pacers: He doesn't get enough hype playing in Indy. He does a little of everything and has been almost as good as, say, Antawn Jamison.

West Snubs

1. Shawn Marion, F, Heat (formerly of Suns): Will getting traded to the Heat get him the credit he deserves? We'll see.
2. Marcus Camby, C, Nuggets: This guy leads the NBA in rebounding (14.4 per game) and blocked shots (3.8) and he's not even a reserve? Ridiculous.
3. Baron Davis, PG, Warriors: Okay, so he takes a few too many bad shots. But the rest of his game is incredible and he's an electric leader.
4. Deron Williams, PG, Jazz: If he were in the East he might be a starter. He's not, so Williams gets edged out by the West's incredible point-guard depth.
5. Al Jefferson, PF/C, Timberwolves: The fact his team is so awful plays a big role in him getting overlooked here. Still, it's tough to ignore 21 points and 12 boards per game.
 

AND THE FINAL WORD...  "I wouldn't deserve to be an All-Star." -- Shaquille O'Neal to the Associated Press. Big Daddy's record-tying string of 14 straight All-Star appearances ends this year after he wasn't voted in by either fans or coaches during a down season.