The 2011 NBA All-Star weekend kicks off in full force today. There are two games at Staples Center today, culminating in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, which pits first-year players against second-year players. Because Blake Griffin of the co-host Los Angeles Clippers was injured and missed all of last season, this is technically his rookie year, which puts him on the first-year team and gives them two consecutive No. 1 overall picks, with John Wall of the Washington Wizards. This begins a whirlwind weekend for Griffin, who is competing in three events in three days this weekend.
Here are the details of tonight's rookie challenge:
When: 6 p.m. PST
Television: TNT
Rosters:
First-Year Team
- Guard: Eric Bledsoe, Clippers
- Center: DeMarcus Cousins, Kings
- Forward: Derrick Favors, Nets
- Guard: Landry Fields, Knicks
- Forward: Blake Griffin, Clippers
- Guard: Wesley Johnson, Timberwolves
- Center: Greg Monroe, Pistons
- Guard: Gary Neal, Spurs
- Guard: John Wall, Wizards
- Coaches: Mike Budenholzer, Amare Stoudemire, Kevin McHale
Second-Year Team
-
Center: DeJuan Blair, Spurs
-
Guard: DeMar DeRozan, Raptors
- Guard: Stephen Curry, Warriors
- Forward: Taj Gibson, Bulls
-
Guard: James Harden, Thunder
-
Guard: Jrue Holiday, 76ers
-
Forward/Center: Serge Ibaka, Thunder
- Guard: Brandon Jennings, Bucks
-
Guard: Wesley Matthews, Trail Blazers
- Coaches: Lawrence Frank, Carmelo Anthony, Steve Kerr
Tyreke Evans, who was MVP as a rookie of last year's Rookie Challenge, was selected for the second-year team this year but is injured and will not play. He was replaced by James Harden.