Where should the Charlotte Hornets be represented during All-Star Game?

Dunk Competition

Charlotte Hornets’ forward Miles Bridges is a no-brainer to participate in the dunk contest at the All-Start game this season. In his two-plus seasons in the league, Bridges has consistently electrified Hornets’ fans and social media with his amazing slams.

During his rookie season in 2016, Bridges participated in the dunk contest, held in Charlotte, finishing third. For his second dunk, with an assist from former teammate Kemba Walker, Bridges wore a Hornets’ Larry Johnson jersey with a gold tooth and caught a mid-air pass off the side of the backboard and did a 360-degree spin to his left, slamming it through on his first attempt.

This season, Bridges and rookie LaMelo Ball have been an electrifying duo with Ball often beautifully and spectacularly assisting Bridges on transition dunks and alloy hoops.

The duo dubbed, “Air BnB,” has the potential to steal the show during halftime if Bridges is selected to participate in the dunk contest for a second time.

Three-Point Competition

Terry Rozier has been dangerous from three so far this season and continues to improve overall as a player. Last season, Rozier set a career-high in three-point field goals made (172) and percentage (40.7%). This season so far, Rozier is shooting 44.5% from three and is on track to set another career-high in three-point field goals made. Rozier’s 89 three-point field goals made this season currently rank eighth in the league, tied with Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. Of the players ranked in the top ten in three-point field goals made this season, only Brooklyn Nets’ guard-forward Joe Harris has a higher percentage than Rozier (49.7%).

Skills Competition

Recent reports have suggested that the NBA wants Hornets’ rookie LaMelo Ball highly involved in this year’s All-Star events. Since there will be no Rising Stars game, the skills competition is where the league is eyeing his participation. Ball’s participation in the skills competition, in addition to Bridges participating in the dunk contest, will be an easy way to maximize Ball’s involvement during the March 7th event. Ball’s speed, pace, passing ability, and a knack for knocking down shots from deep despite flaws in his shooting technique have been on display on a nightly basis to Hornets’ fans, it will be interesting to see how it translates to the skills court.

All-Star Game

Gordon Hayward won’t be selected as a starter in the All-Star game, but he deserves an opportunity to be selected as a reserve. Hayward was an All-Star during his last season with the Utah Jazz during the 2016-2017 season before injuries and the development of young stars derailed him during his three seasons with the Boston Celtics. The Hornets signed Hayward to a huge 4-year, $128 million contract in the offseason which was widely criticized due to his issues while he was a member of the Celtics. However, Hayward has bounced back to All-Star form this season with the Hornets. He has started and played in 26 of the Hornets’ 28 games this season averaging 22.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.6% from the field and 42.2% from three, all improvements over his performance during his last season in Utah.