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5 Rookies Who Could Win 2015 NBA Skills Challenge

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By @DaveCuff

5 Rookies Who Could Win 2015 NBA Skills Challenge

NBA Skills Challenge
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The skills challenge is one of the more fun events during All-Star weekend. Three past rookies have won the event, including Trey Burke last season. Here are five rookies who could win the event this year.

5. Nik Stauskas

Nik Stauskas
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5. Nik Stauskas

Nik Stauskas
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Stauskas is known mainly as a shooter, but he is one of the more skilled rookies overall from the 2014 class. He is a very good ball handler and solid passer to go along with his shooting touch. He has struggled for the most part this season, but he has enough talent to win a competition like this.

4. Shabazz Napier

Shabazz Napier
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4. Shabazz Napier

Shabazz Napier
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Napier is a tremendous competitor and it's tough to bet against him in a competition setting. He hasn't been great this season but has had his moments. He can shoot, handle and pass at a high enough level that he could surprise some people in an event like this.

3. Dante Exum

Dante Exum
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3. Dante Exum

Dante Exum
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Exum may have the most raw talent of anyone from the 2014 draft class. He is being brought along slowly and has shown some flashes of his great potential. In an event like this, his raw talent could carry him to a victory. He isn't a true point guard, however, and could struggle at the passing part of the competition. The jump shot portion could also be his downfall.

2. Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton
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2. Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton
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Payton currently leads all rookies in assists per game and could become the best pure point guard in the 2014 draft class. He struggles with his shot, so that could be a potential downfall for him in this event, but everything else he would excel at.

1. Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart
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1. Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart
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Marcus Smart has great potential. He hasn't had a ton of playing time this year, but that is already increasing with Rajon Rondo now gone. He isn't the best shooter, but can overcome that with everything else he has going for him. He has great speed and passing ability to make up for the shooting portion of the event.

David Cuff is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveCuff, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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