Team Barkley Selects Paul George For Rising Stars Challenge

by Tom Lewis on Feb 17, 2012 10:01 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

Indiana Pacers guard Paul George will be all over All-Star weekend until the actual All-Star game (give him some time). After learning that he would be part of the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition, PG's name was called in the draft for the BBVA Rising Stars game played on All-Star Friday night.

TNT's Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal conducted the draft from a pool of rookies and second-year players including PG. The Hall of Famers each took a big man and a point guard with their first two picks and then after Shaq added Ricky Rubio in the third round, Barkley jumped at the chance to take PG.

"This could not work out any better," Barkley said after Shaq chose Rubio. "I'm going with Paul George of the Indiana Pacers."

PG was considered a flex player able to fill a front court or back court spot in the draft. Barkley and Shaq drafted as team GM's with Mike Fratello coaching Barkley's team and Steve Kerr on the sidelines for Shaq's team. Should be a fun event to let PG spread his wings and fly. Here are the rosters:

TEAM BARKLEY

Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers (Rookie)
DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings (Sophomore)
Paul George – Indiana Pacers (Sophomore)
Derrick Williams – Minnesota Timberwolves (Rookie)
MarShon Brooks – New Jersey Nets (Rookie)
John Wall – Washington Wizards (Sophomore)
Gordon Hayward – Utah Jazz (Sophomore)
Tiago Splitter – San Antonio Spurs (Sophomore)
Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs (Rookie)
Evan Turner – Philadelphia 76ers (Sophomore)

TEAM SHAQ

Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers (Sophomore)
Jeremy Lin – New York Knicks (Sophomore)
Ricky Rubio – Minnesota Timberwolves (Rookie)
Greg Monroe – Detroit Pistons (Sophomore)
Markieff Morris – Phoenix Suns (Rookie)
Kemba Walker – Charlotte Bobcats (Rookie)
Landry Fields – New York Knicks (Sophomore)
Norris Cole – Miami Heat (Rookie)
Brandon Knight – Detroit Pistons (Rookie)
Tristan Thompson – Cleveland Cavaliers (Rookie)

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Is it just me, or is Shaq's team going to get steamrolled?

Griffin is really good and I like Rubio, but other than that (unless the Linsanity continues, which who knows) it’s not a deep team at all. Top to bottom I think Barkley drafted a much better team.

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by Thomas Wachtel on Feb 17, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions

Shaq=Flash; Barkley=Substance.

It depends on what kind of game this is. If this were a regular season game, I’d go Team Barkley, but with Lin and Rubio creating lobs for Griffin and Thompson, and the scoring of Kemba and Norris, Team Shaq may win it. Lots of talent either way. Feel good about the future of the Association.

by abeas1 on Feb 17, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

proving once again that barkley is a drunk

but shaq has the brain of a f’ing toaster. norris cole? srsly? he shouldnt even be in this game, what is this the first week of the season when he had that one good game?

oh what a pass by STEPHENSON! AND THEN ITS PAUL GEORGE!

by 15ks on Feb 17, 2012 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

To be fair, Cole has just as much a right to be in the game as Derrick Williams, who was the #2 pick

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by LukeNukem on Feb 17, 2012 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

I don't understand how John Wall wasn't the second overall pick

Everyone is saying it’s because the Wizards suck so bad, but it’s clearly not his fault that he shares a starting lineup with no fewer than two complete headcases (Blatche when healthy…though I can see him decomposing a team even in street clothes and McGee). I mean, he’s going to be playing with the best young players in the league…AND he gets to be on a team with DeMarcus Cousins. Irving is less comfortable facilitating than Wall is, so you could start Wall, Irving, PG, Cousins and Williams (though I’d probably start Splitter at PF). That’s a beastly roster.

As for the other starters, I guess you’d have to start both Lin and Rubio, based on where they were drafted. Then I’d probably start Griffin/Monroe/Fields on the front court. But overall the team is filled with point guards and/or undersized two guards with no dominant athletes outside of Griffin.

I like that they did it this way this year though. If it were a typical Rookies vs. Sophomores game the sophs would go ham. Wall/George/Fields (or Hayward)/Griffin/Cousins with Lin and Monroe off the bench. Wow.

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by LukeNukem on Feb 17, 2012 11:29 AM EST reply actions