OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander replaces Rose in Taco Bell Skills Challenge

OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will play in the Rising Stars Game and also participate in the All-Star Saturday night, Taco Bell Skills Challenge.

The teams are set for the big event at All-Star weekend as OKC Thunder guard Chris Paul joins Team LeBron. CP3’s backcourt partner also learned he’ll have a busier itinerary than originally expected. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was tapped to replace Derrick Rose (who hails from Chicago) in the All-Star Saturday Night as part of the Taco Bell Skills Challenge.

Thunderous Intentions outlined the specifics of the teams playing Sunday as LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounpo selected their squads and ironically the starting five features West versus East.

Gilgeous-Alexander will be active on Friday as part of the Rising Stars World Team. TI is still wondering if Luka Doncic might pull out of that event to focus on the Sunday Game and if he does could Lu Dort get the tap to replace him?

State Farm All-Star Saturday Night:

Taco Bell Skills Challenge:

As for the State Farm All-Star Saturday night events, SGA will also participate in that event. The OKC Thunder guard is part of the Taco Bell Skills Challenge.

The full list of participants is:

• Bam Adebayo (Heat)
• Patrick Beverley (Clippers)
• Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets)
• Khris Middleton (Bucks)
• Domantas Sabonis (Pacers)
• Pascal Siakam (Raptors)
• Jayson Tatum (Celtics)

In recent years the NBA switched the format of the Skills Comp to feature big men versus guards but this list features three guards (SGA, Beverley, and Dinwiddie), two big men (Adebayo, Sabonis) and three players who play both forward positions or guard/forward (Middleton, Siakam, Tatum).

As in recent years, each contestant will navigate an obstacle course featuring sections that highlight passing, dribbling and shooting. Three previous winners are in the contest including Beverley, Dinwiddie and reigning champion Tatum.

MTN DEW 3-Point Contest:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Although it wouldn’t have surprised to see  Danilo Gallinari in this event (he shoots the deep ball at a healthy 40.5 percent) the OKC Thunder forward didn’t get the nod. Here’s the list of participants:

• Davis Bertans – 43. 2 percent (Wizards)
• Devonte’ Graham – 37.0 percent (Hornets)
• Joe Harris – 40.6 percent (Nets)
• Buddy Hield – 37.6 percent (Kings)
• Zach LaVine – 37.3 percent (Bulls)
• Damian Lillard – 39.8 percent (Blazers)
• Duncan Robinson – 44.1 percent (Heat)
• Trae Young – 37. 0 percent (Hawks)

AT&T Slam Dunk Competition:

We’ve yet to hear back from reigning champion OKC Thunder wing Hamidou Diallo but presumably, the doctors didn’t give the go-ahead to participate since his name isn’t on the list. And, fans also won’t get to witness a repeat of the Toronto version which featured the best event in recent years as Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine needed extra rounds to determine the winner.

The four players who will participate are:

• Pat Connaughton (Bucks)
• Aaron Gordon (Magic)
• Dwight Howard (Lakers)
• Derrick Jones Jr., (Heat)

I might be on an island here, but it’s a little annoying Dwight Howard seemingly told the NBA he was participating. Then again, it would’ve been great to see Ja Morant and Zion Williamson go at each other as the two rookies most likely to win Rookie of the Year are both high flyers.

The event begins at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15th with the Taco Bell Skills Challenge first on the slate of events. For full details on each of the events visit NBA.com.