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Top storylines of 2018 All-Star, Part 1

By Tamberlyn Richardson

STUDIO CITY, CA - JANUARY 25: A photo of the LeBron James and Stephen Curry Brand Jordan NBA All-Star Uniforms on January 25, 2018 at CBS Studios in Studio City, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
STUDIO CITY, CA - JANUARY 25: A photo of the LeBron James and Stephen Curry Brand Jordan NBA All-Star Uniforms on January 25, 2018 at CBS Studios in Studio City, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Media day arrives at the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend with pundits set to dive into topics as stars and teams prepare to head for the stretch run.

As the 2018 NBA All-Star weekend hits its stride media day will serve as opportunity to learn more about the stars and teams. Expect interviews today to result in hot takes and takeaways which will become the new narratives in the NBA.

Fans are anxious to learn hidden secrets, find out about rumored relationship fractures between players and gain insight from analysts.

Although the trade deadline has past, the next segment of the schedule known as the stretch run is the most critical for all squads. Expect questions from scribes to probe the stars for what fans can expect in the final segment of the regular season.

Over the next 48 hours the topics likely to receive the most attention fall into three categories.

The 2018 All-Star activities on Saturday and Sunday:

  • Saturday:
    • Who’ll win Skills Challenge?
    • Can Paul George win Three Point Competition?
    • Will NBA worldwide fans be abuzz about Donovan Mitchell after the dunk contest or will someone else steal the spotlight?
  • Sunday:
    • Does Team Steph have the edge given the injuries to Team LeBron?
    • How do Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook interact with LeBron and KD?
    • Who is the x-factor in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game?
    • Can Paul George, Russell Westbrook win MVP
    • If not does another LA hometown star have the edge?

Player related items:

  • Paul George is likely to be in the spotlight for numerous reasons (the location this All-Star event is occurring being just one). I’ll dive into this further below.
  • Who is leading in awards race
  • What specific individual and team goals the players have like who is leading awards, individual achievements and  goals) and the stretch run.
  • Surprises and secrets (there is always something we learn at these events)

Stretch Run:

  • What each team’s narrative is heading into the stretch
  • Will the buyout market have any effect on teams?
  • How other teams moves will affect OKC
  • Log jam in middle ground of both conferences
  • Lottery bound teams – does the tank mode heat up in second half?

This series will expand upon these three segments.  Expect some of these questions to be a part of media sessions. Furthermore, I give my take on what the analysts may (and should be) discussing regarding the stretch run. Finally, I’ll tie in how other team’s situations can affect the OKC Thunder as they prepare for the postseason.

Part one dives into the events with predictions and narratives associated with the next two days of action.

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