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5 Players Who We Want To See in 2015 NBA Skills Challenge

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By @GoldenPerspectv

5 Players Who We Want To See In 2015 NBA Skills Challenge

NBA Skills Challenge
Godofredo Vasquez - USA Today Sports

Last year, Damian Lillard and Trey Burke were crowned as the Taco Bell Skills Challenge champions. In a competition where NBA players showcase their speed, passing and shooting ability, there are a few players I'd love to see in this year's contest. Of course, the champions must return to defend their crown, but outside of them, I have 5 players I must see challenge Lillard and Burke.

Honorable Mentions

Jeff Teague, Mike Conley
Justin Ford - USA Today Sports

Honorable Mentions

Jeff Teague, Mike Conley
Justin Ford - USA Today Sports

This group of guys got left off the list due to their speed, shooting or passing ability.

Jeff Teague
Kyle Lowry
Ty Lawson
Kyrie Irving
Brandon Knight
Mike Conley Jr.

5. Darren Collison

Darren Collison
Cary Edmondson - USA Today Sports

5. Darren Collison

Darren Collison
Cary Edmondson - USA Today Sports

Collison may be a surprise to most but he's a certified shoe-in for me. Collison is a speedster who can blaze down the court as quick as any other player. He's a good shooter and decent assist man but his strength is his amazing speed. Both of his parents were track stars so it comes as no surprise that Collison can accelerate with the best of them.

4. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry
Kyle Terada - USA Today Sports

4. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry
Kyle Terada - USA Today Sports

Curry does not possess astonishing speed like Collison, but his precision is what boosts him to the top 5. There's no reason to question his shooting ability; that's a given. He isn't slow by any means but he isn't in the fastest-player category. He has also been known as an accurate passer. His quick trigger and precise passes would be a sight to see under the lights of the Skills Challenge.

3. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose
Dennis Wierzbicki - USA Today Sports

3. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose
Dennis Wierzbicki - USA Today Sports

In four seconds and only three dribbles, Rose went coast-to-coast in the USA scrimmage game in his return. That play was enough for me to add him as high as he is. He's good for a fancy slam at the end of the obstacle course as well (as we saw in 2009's Skills Challenge). My only knock on Mr. Glass is that he may take to competition lightly because of injury paranoia.

2. John Wall

John Wall
Steve Mitchell - USA Today Sports

2. John Wall

John Wall
Steve Mitchell - USA Today Sports

Here's another guy who joins the conversation as the fastest player in the NBA. He's not the quickest but his stride allows him to get to where he wants in a hurry. He's improved his jumper drastically and he leads the NBA in assists so I think it would be a treat to see him compete in this challenge. As we saw in last year's dunk contest, he's an awesome competitor. It would be hard to imagine he wouldn't give it his all.

1. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook
Mark D. Smith - USA Today Sports

1. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook
Mark D. Smith - USA Today Sports

The No. 1 spot goes to the man who never seems to hold anything back. When I think of a word synonymous with him, I think of "beast." This guy's motor never stops. His jumpshot is still average but it's getting better. His explosiveness would easily make up for that though. He's among the top ten in assists too. Honestly, this dude is a flat-out freak of nature. If he joins the contest, it'll easily be worth the admission.

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