The NLL All-Star weekend is one of the most enjoyable times of the year, for all the players and gm’s around the league.  “Nothing beats sitting back and watching the stars of the competition go at it, but even better is watching the rising stars of the league battle it out on the court.” Gm Smokey said.

 

Today we will be having a look at the starting five for gm Penny’s rising star team. “The team I have in front of me is going to dominate. Who does this VT guy think he is? Just because he is a great gm of one of the best run franchises in the league doesn’t mean a thing when it comes time to coach your way to a W.” gm Pennywise of the Phoenix Suns said.

 

The five Starters on this team all have a lot of hype built up about how they are going to travel over the course of their careers in the NLL. “I wouldn’t be surprised if all these guys one day end up on the NLL All-star team for their respective conference.” A Spokesman for Overtime Sports Magazine said. The five have a great mixture of ability and gives gm Penny a lot of things to play with over the course of the game.

 

NERLENS NOEL

Noel was draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 4^th overall pick in the 2013 draft.  After missing the entire 2013/2014 season Noel finally made his debut for the Wolves in week one of the 2014/2015 regular season.  After many attempts from a lot of other teams to persuade gm Javi to trade the monster, the best thing he did was hold out a full season to see him in a Wolves Uniform. Noel is averaging a double-double up to this point in the season with 12.5ppg, and 11rpg. He ranks in the top 10 in two categories (field goal percentage, and Blocks per game), and he also ranks in the top 20 for Defensive rebounds per game.

GAME TIME PREDICTION:

Noel will show his great blocking ability with 5 for the game.

 

NIKOLA MIROTIC:

Mirotic was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the29th overall pick in the 2011 draft. After playing a further 3 years in Europe, Nikola finally decided that it was time to move onto bigger and better things and join the Mavericks in the NLL.  Although Mirotic had the opportunity to start for 8 games this season so far, that more came down to injuries than anything else. Mirotic has been a good solid addition to the Mavericks bench this season. Not putting up the highest numbers, but his ability to shoot, grab boards and spread the floor can really be a headache for opposition teams when he hits his groove.

GAME TIME PREDICTION:

With the opportunity to start and play big minutes, Mirotic should find his shooting groove early and put up 15+ points.

 

ANDREW WIGGINS:

Wiggins was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 1^st overall pick in the 2014 draft. There was no questions in anyone’s mind that gm Merencio was going to select Wiggins. With the Lowly Jazz of the 2013/2014 season, has Wiggins been the saving grace for this franchise? Some would argue yes, but a lot of factors come into play for the resurgence of the team. Wiggins is just one piece of the puzzle and over the course of this season to date, he has really shown the league what he can do, and where he can go as a player in the future of this league. One of the top contenders for Rookie of the year honours, Wiggins Has so far done all he can to do the team thing for the Jazz, hitting all areas on the stats sheet on a nightly basis. Averaging 17ppg, 5rpg, and 4apg, there’s not much chance that Penny will bench this guy tonight.

GAME TIME PREDICTION:

Will win Player of The Game honours.

 

VICTOR OLADIPO:

Oladipo was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 2^nd overall pick in the 2013 draft. The bottom dwelling Utah Jazz for consecutive years was able to start their rebuilding campaign by drafting Oladipo. Suiting up next to rookie sensation Andrew Wiggins on a nightly basis, and now getting to do it again in the Rising star challenge must Make gm Merencio one proud owner.  Like Wiggins, Victor does his thing on a nightly basis. He has had an extremely consistent year, and like Wiggins has only had one week where he averaged less than 10points per game for the week.  He plays a very team orientated style of ball, and can get it done at either end of the court when asked to do so. With 14ppg, 4rpg, 3.3apg and 1.3spg Oladipo is the perfect glue guy for penny’s rising star starters.

GAME TIME PREDICTION:

Will hit the defensive hard with 4+ steals for the game.

 

LANGSTON GALLOWAY:

The undrafted Galloway was signed to a ten day contract back in week 6 of the season by the Indiana Pacers.  At the time most people wouldn’t have battered an eyelid, but with the young 23 year old pg signing a guaranteed 1 +1T contract a few may think this kid has places to go in this league now.  Personally I feel the likes of a Trey Burke could have been selected into the starting lineup, but with the talent that this kid has why not give him a chance to shine. To the present time, Galloway has played 23 games for the Pacers coming off the bench in all of them, and has averaged 5minutes per game.  Since his addition into the rotation, his minutes count has slowly increased and his numbers are getting better and better as a role player for the playoff bound Pacers side. His confidence should be extremely high heading into this game, as his last week for the Pacers saw him play 12minutes per game, and was able to average nearly 9 points to go along with some rebound and assists. We can all see the potential in this kid, and his confidence should sky rocket even more after being selected as a starter in this game.

GAME TIME PREDICTION:

Stat sheet of 10points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds.

 

So there you have it, the starting five for Penny’s rising star team.  We heard from Penny earlier, and a late response from opposition coach VT has just come in. “Look at the West, they couldn’t even win a championship if it was handed to them on a silver platter. Penny has other things coming to him if he thinks he is going to out coach me. I’ll blind fold my players and they will still run rings around penny’s side.”

 

Good luck to both teams competing in tonight’s game, it should be a ripper.