Top storylines of 2018 All-Star Weekend, Part 1

Top storylines of 2018 All-Star, Part 1

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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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 16: Spencer Dinwiddie /

Who’ll win Skills Challenge?

Since revamping the Taco Bells Skills Challenge big men have dominated. Their wins punctuate how the roles of big men have changed in the new era of basketball. In the past two years Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis took the title.

Heading into Saturday my gut tells me the guards will be keen to take back their crown. Front court bigs Andre Drummond, Joel Embiid , Al Horford and Lauri Markkanen will challenge guards Buddy Hield (who replaces Donovan Mitchell), Jamal Murray, Spencer Dinwiddie and Lou Williams.

Although Embiid is exciting it’s Markkanen who should likely come out of the bigs side. As for the guards this may be the most competitive group ever assembled. Dinwiddie told the NBA panel he plans on winning. Williams will be on his home court, Hield is a perimeter sniper and Murray is about as competitive as they come.

My prediction is Markkanen will play Murray with the Canadian taking back the crown for the guards (but my dark horse is Dinwiddie).

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