The Three Man Weave head into the All-Star Weekend wondering if the Raptors are comfortable with their team and what may happen in New York this weekend on the court with the stars. Hosts of TSN 1050's 1 On 1 With Will & Duane, Will Strickland and Duane Watson are joined with Meghan McPeak, play-by-play announcer for the Brampton A’s and sometime 1 On 1 guest host.

Will the Raptors make a trade before the deadline?

Strickland: Only if the right piece is available. Maintaining team chemistry is a fickle equation, whether you add or subtract variables or choose not to in hopes of establishing a winning formula. Masai Ujiri has been prudent and patient while being ruthlessly pragmatic and efficient in his dealings to date. So, as an example, unless a scenario where Chicago, Denver and Toronto negotiate a three-way trade that garners Bulls PF Taj Gibson while jettisoning the Raptors' anchor for years, Amir Johnson, as well as other expiring contracts, don't expect Ujiri to pull the trigger just because February 19 looms.

McPeak: No, I don't think so. They have been able to find their chemistry and rhythm through the ups and downs in the first half of the season. Masai Uijiri has proven he's the type to use patience and ride with his group like last year after the Rudy Gay trade and Lowry broke out, he didn't make any moves and stuck with his guys. 

Watson: Despite the pleas of Raptors fans who clamour for more, chemistry and consistency has been key for this team. There’s no surefire trade that makes this team better than Chicago or Clelveland and I believe GM Masai Ujiri will watch this team continue on their path with a healthy DeMar DeRozan back in the line-up.

With the West missing three starters in the All-Star game, will they beat the East?
 

Strickland: Rhetorical. Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis won't be playing, but will be "replaced" in the starting lineup by the Association's leading scorer in James Harden, as well as fellow FIBA World Cup gold medalist teammate Klay Thompson, and could also be joined by the reigning MVP of the NBA, Kevin Wayne Durant. Nothing's guaranteed, but that West team looks monstrous top to bottom.  Now watch the East win the game!

McPeak: I believe they will beat the East, still. You've got Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, Marc Gasol and Anthony Davis's yet-to-be-announced starting replacement and then you look at the reserves for the West,  and they could be the starters just as easily! 

Watson: While there's no shortage of talent replacing them, the Eastern All-Star bench boasts four members of the Atlanta Hawks. In addition to Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving, that's some serious  firepower and, despite being the weaker conference, I like their chances.

 

Which event in All-Star Weekend can you do without?

Strickland: Anything that highlights Kevin Hart. He is painfully unfunny. Outside of that, the Celebrity Game can go away, unless the incredible two-man team of #1On1 with Will x Duane are active participants every All-Star Game Weekend!

McPeak: Based on this year alone, the Slam Dunk Contest. It has become bland, boring and lacks excitement. I am more interested and excited for the 3-point Shootout than anything. In general, I could go without the Shooting Stars or Skills Challenge. 

Watson: Curious to see how the revamped Rising Stars Challenge plays out. If it goes down the path of the old Rookie vs. Sophomore game, that would be my choice. The main All-Star Game is bad enough, so here’s no need to see more dunks and porous defence from lesser players.

Should DeAndre Jordan have been selected for the All-Star Game?

Strickland: Yes, but Jordan not being selected over Dirk Notwitzki, who is replacing the injured Anthony Davis, is not quite the travesty Glenn Rivers makes it out to be. Outside of being the frontrunner for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, DJ leads the NBA in rebounds, is second in blocked shots, but is also within sniffing distance of having the highest FG% in league history, currently at an absurd 72.5%, slightly behind the record 72.7% mark of the legendary Wilton Norman Chamberlain. The real travesty is that the team with the second-best record in the brutal West, the Memphis Grizzlies, have but one All-Star. Sorry, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph.

McPeak: No, I do not think he has been playing at a better or higher All-Star level than Z-Bo or any of the bigs chosen for the West. He is a highlight reel for in-game dunks, so I wouldn't have been opposed to him being in the slam dunk competition. 

Watson: Who?

 

The Pan Am Games recently announced their basketball schedule - who do you see as Team Canada's starting five?

Strickland: Steve Nash, Sherman Hamilton, Rowan Barrett, Leo Rautins and the immortal Greg Newton! Jokes aside, it's a definite luxury to be able to field a team of NBA talent, all with international experience. San Antonio Spurs PG Cory Joseph has earned his spot as the leader of this unit with stellar international play, which will bode well for Team Canada when they hit inevitable rough patches. Add eventual 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Christian Wiggins to the mix, along with Nik Stauskas, Kelly Olynyk and Tristan Thompson as the Maple Leaf Five look toward a solid showing to prep for the drive to Rio 2016.

McPeak: Depending on the match up for that game: Cory Joseph, Phillip Scrubb, Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson and Kelly Olynyk.

Watson: All hands need to be on deck as Canada has talent, but needs to get as much international experience under their belt in order to qualify for the Olympics. My backcourt would be Tyler Ennis and Cory Joseph, with a frontcourt of Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson and Kelly Olynyk.
 

Follow them on Twitter: Will Strickland @WallStrizzle1, Duane Watson @duanewatson and Meghan McPeak @meghanmcpeak