Enlarge By Rick Scuteri, AP
Shaquille O'Neal will join Amare Stoudemire as hometown representatives of the Suns in the All-Star Game in Phoenix.
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The NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix will have a decidedly Magical feel.
Eastern Conference coaches voted two Orlando Magic players as All-Star reserves, guard Jameer Nelson and forward Rashard Lewis, to join the leading vote-getter in the fans' first-team balloting, center Dwight Howard. The Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns have two All-Stars each.
ROSTERS: 58th NBA All-Star Game
Among those playing the best who did not make the Feb. 15 game are Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry and Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap.
The Lakers' Phil Jackson will coach the West as Los Angeles has clinched that conference's best record; the East coach will be decided this weekend between Orlando's Stan Van Gundy and Cleveland's Mike Brown.
Shaquille O'Neal is an All-Star for the 15th time, second to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 19 appearances. O'Neal will be reunited with the Lakers' Jackson and Kobe Bryant, with whom he feuded in the past. But hugs and high-fives were exchanged when the Suns and Lakers met in Phoenix in November. Nelson, New Jersey Nets guard Devin Harris and Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger are the only first-time All-Stars, all as reserves for the East squad.
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NBA coaches voted for seven reserves from their respective conferences but could not vote for their own players. NBA Commissioner David Stern will select replacements if All-Stars cannot play because of injuries.
New Orleans, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers also had multiple players on the West roster.
But for the second year in a row, only two of the Boston Celtics' Big Three made the initial roster: Paul Pierce was voted in with starter Kevin Garnett, while Ray Allen was left out.
Traded to the Suns at last season's deadline, O'Neal endured the worst season of his career and had his record-tying streak of 14 consecutive All-Star appearances end. Now he's back in the showcase game, and trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 19 for most appearances.
Abdul-Jabbar, a Lakers assistant, will help coach the West team.
The 36-year-old O'Neal was averaging 18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds entering Thursday night's showdown against the Spurs. He needed five more points to catch Hakeem Olajuwon for seventh on the NBA's career scoring list.
O'Neal isn't the only veteran on a West roster flush with experience. The Spurs' Tim Duncan and the Bryant are each making their 11th appearances, while Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki was picked for the eighth time and Houston center Yao Ming for the seventh time.
Carmelo Anthony, who's missed the last 10 games with a broken bone in his right hand, was left off the roster even though he's been cleared to play Friday night at Charlotte. That leaves point guard Chauncey Billups the lone selection from the division-leading Nuggets.
"I was definitely excited. My next question right directly after that was, 'Did Melo make it?' Of course I'm disappointed in that," Billups told The Associated Press. "The only reason why is because of the injury. It's just an unfortunate situation."
Acquired in a trade with the Pistons on Nov. 3, Billups has given Denver a steady backcourt presence. The four-time All-Star is averaging 19.0 points and 6.5 assists.
Stoudemire, Yao, Bryant, Duncan and Chris Paul of the Hornets were voted by fans to start for the West. The East starters are Garnett, Howard, Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson of the Pistons and LeBron James of the Cavaliers.
Coaches were then required to vote for two guards, two forwards, a center and two at-large reserves. The other picks for the West were Pau Gasol of the Lakers, Tony Parker of the Spurs, Brandon Roy of the Trail Blazers and David West of the Hornets. Filling out the East roster are Raptors forward Chris Bosh and Hawks guard Joe Johnson.
There was little controversy in fan voting — besides Stoudemire beating out Spurs reserve Bruce Bowen by just 68,000 votes — but the ballots turned in by the league's coaches left a bunch of deserving players with a gripe.
Allen was passed over despite averaging 18.0 points and helping Boston to a 38-9 record. The eight-time All-Star was skipped over last year, too, but was later added by commissioner David Stern as an injury replacement for Caron Butler.
All-Star Game rosters
EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
No.
Player, team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/HS/Country All-Star
Selections
4
Chris Bosh, Toronto
F/C
6-10
230
Georgia Tech 4th
5
Kevin Garnett, Boston
F
6-11
220
Farragut Academy 12th
33
Danny Granger, Indiana
F
6-8
225
New Mexico 1st
34
Devin Harris, New Jersey
G
6-3
185
Wisconsin 1st
12
Dwight Howard, Orlando
C
6-11
265
SW Atlanta Christian Academy 3rd
3
Allen Iverson, Detroit
G
6-0
165
Georgetown 10th
23
LeBron James, Cleveland
F
6-8
250
St. Vincent/St. Mary HS 5th
2
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
G
6-7
235
Arkansas 3rd
9
Rashard Lewis, Orlando
F
6-10
215
Alief Elsik HS 2nd
14
Jameer Nelson, Orlando
G
6-0
190
St. Joseph's 1st
34
Paul Pierce, Boston
F
6-7
235
Kansas 7th
3
Dwayne Wade, Miami
G
6-4
210
Marquette 5th
WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
No.
Player, team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/HS/Country All-Star
Selections
1
Chauncey Billups, Denver
G
6-3
202
Colorado 4th
24
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
G
6-6
205
Lower Merion HS 11th
21
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
F
6-11
260
Wake Forest 11th
16
Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
F
7-0
227
Spain 2nd
11
Yao Ming, Houston
C
7-6
310
China 7th
41
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
F
7-0
245
Germany 8th
32
Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix
C
7-1
315
Louisiana State 15th
9
Tony Parker, San Antonio
G
6-2
177
France 3rd
3
Chris Paul, New Orleans
G
6-0
175
Wake Forest 2nd
7
Brandon Roy, Portland
G
6-6
211
Washington 2nd
1
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
F/C
6-10
245
Cypress Creek HS 4th
30
David West, New Orleans
F
6-9
240
Xavier 2nd
***
Contributing: Chris Colston, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-01-29-all-star-reserves_N.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO DESERVED IT AND WHO GOT SNUBBED
---- Xavier Thompson
yes
FIRSTLY LETS JUS RECAP THE CHOSEN FEW
All-Star Game rosters
* — starters
EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
No.
Player, team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/HS/Country All-Star
Selections
4
Chris Bosh, Toronto
F/C
6-1
230
Georgia Tech 4th
5
* Kevin Garnett, Boston
F
6-11
220
Farragut Academy 12th
33
Danny Granger, Indiana
F
6-8
225
New Mexico 1st
34
Devin Harris, New Jersey
G
6-3
185
Wisconsin 1st
12
* Dwight Howard, Orlando
C
6-11
265
SW Atlanta Christian Academy 3rd
3
* Allen Iverson, Detroit
G
6-10
165
Georgetown 10th
23
* LeBron James, Cleveland
F
6-8
250
St. Vincent/St. Mary HS 5th
2
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
G
6-7
235
Arkansas 3rd
9
Rashard Lewis, Orlando
F
6-10
215
Alief Elsik HS 2nd
14
Jameer Nelson, Orlando
G
6-0
190
St. Joseph's 1st
34
Paul Pierce, Boston
F
6-7
235
Kansas 7th
3
* Dwayne Wade, Miami
G
6-4
210
Marquette 5th
WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
No.
Player, team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/HS/Country All-Star
Selections
1
Chauncey Billups, Denver
G
6-3
202
Colorado 4th
24
* Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
G
6-6
205
Lower Merion HS 11th
21
* Tim Duncan, San Antonio
F
6-11
260
Wake Forest 11th
16
Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
F
7-0
227
Spain 2nd
11
* Yao Ming, Houston
C
7-6
310
China 7th
41
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
F
7-0
245
Germany 8th
32
Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix
C
7-1
315
Louisiana State 15th
9
Tony Parker, San Antonio
G
6-2
177
France 3rd
3
* Chris Paul, New Orleans
G
6-0
175
Wake Forest 2nd
7
Brandon Roy, Portland
G
6-6
211
Washington 2nd
1
* Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
F/C
6-10
245
Cypress Creek HS 4th
30
David West, New Orleans
F
6-9
240
Xavier 2nd
Firstly, let's start with the deserved ...
On the Eastern side of things, we saw all THREE debutantes in Nelson, Granger and Harris. A bit surprising since all are in the middle of their breakout seasosn, especially hARRIS AND nELSON (gRANGER was pretty good last year but has still improved a great deal). The bottom line, however, is that all three DESERVED their allstar selections. The rest of the east was pretty expected with Rashard Lewis being the only member chosen by the coaches which I thought was a bit undeserved. Now don't get me wrong Rashard is playing bball at a very high level and we're seeing numbers reminiscient of what he put up as a Super Sonic which led to his rise to stardom. Furthermore, after last year's dismal season (by my accounts) I think he's made very big steps in shwocasing his value to the Magics organization and fans. However, his numbers don't light up the board enough to be playing in such a showcase. Allen Iverson's selection was obviously the MOST UNDESERVED, however, seeing he was actually voted in by the fans then I have no right to argue, they choose what they want to see.
SNUBS ON THE EAST:
Mike Bibby - definately deserved a nod due to the way he's provided that extra uumph the Hawks needed to become a contender in the East.
Vince Carter - he may not be able to jump as high or as much but he still can light it up on any choosen day ... plus his numbers don't lie (maybe if the nets had a better record he would have made it)
Andre Iguodala
Tashaun Prince - this is more because of my view that a player which is undoubtedly the most valauble on his team though his numbers may not show this.
David Lee - maybe next year but the kid can play
ON THE WEST
NO FIRST TIMERS .... NOT SURPRISED. The ONLY problem with the roster chosen was DAVID WEST. Yeah, 20 ppg, 7 rpg looks pretty good on a stat sheet
Can't really say "Snubs" since the lineup was a pretty deserved one but there were a number of surprise absentees:
Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony (no excuse for him not being on ... definately should have made it over DAVID WEST), Al Jefferson (not really "surprising" per se but...), The Utah Twins ... Carlos "C-Bo" Boozer and Deron Williams (.... obviously only the injruies kept these two BEASTS off the roster), KEVIN DURANT ( if only this guy did not play for such a horrendous team but my God has this kid improved in terms of bball IQ and rebounding skills BIG PROPS TO MR. DURANT ... who the hell needs to be able to bench press 180 when u can play like this right? - mind over matter)
Ken Berger
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
Posted on: January 29, 2009 7:27 pm
Edited on: January 30, 2009 7:16 am
Score: 89
2
Predictably, Shaquille O'Neal captured the sentimental vote among NBA coaches, gaining entry to his 15th All-Star game when the chocies were announced Thursday night on TNT.
As vehemently as I argued that Shaq didn't deserve to be in over Al Jefferson, I will enjoy Shaq's presence in Phoenix -- especially his reunion with Kobe & Phil. What bothers me is that he's in and Carmelo Anthony is out. The way the coaches' votes are tabulated --ranking their choices 1-7 with two guards, two forwards, one center, and two wild cards -- Anthony would appear to have been pushed off the squad by Shaq. I haven't seen the voting, but Shaq probably made it because some coaches listed him as the backup center and others listed him as one of the wild cards.
Anthony missed some games, so if you don't agree with me there you might argue for Paul Millsap, Kevin Durant, or Jefferson. All three are having a better year than Shaq. But I've said my piece. I can't wait until Shaq is holding court at All-Star media availability. Should be fun.
In case you missed it, here are the rest of the Western reserves: Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Brandon Roy, Chauncey Billups, and David West. The difference between the coaches' choices and mine -- I had Jefferson, Deron Williams, and Anthony vs. Shaq, Parker, and West.
There are three first-timers on the Eastern squad: Danny Granger, Devin Harris and Jameer Nelson. Joining them are Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh and Rashard Lewis. The only difference between the real squad and mine -- I had Ray Allen instead of Lewis. Nothing to quibble about there.
Your thoughts?
Category: NBA
Tags: All-Star Reserves
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FlyingJ
Reputation: 90
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Since: Dec 10, 2006
Posted on: January 29, 2009 7:38 pm
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
I say david lee instead of lewis or nelson i know orlando has a winning record but they already have howard starting. Lewis and Nelsons numbers are not great. David lee has great numbers
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BadgerNation
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Posted on: January 29, 2009 8:12 pm
Score: 89
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
I like to see some players who arent on dominating teams get chosen. You can have great stats when you are surrounded by Garnett Pierce and Allen, or Howard and Lewis and Nelson. Al Jefferson is on a bad team and gets his stats being double teamed and ganged up on every night. Shaq has been great, but he is also playing with superstars Nash and Amare. I think thats why i like the Granger and Harris and Bosh picks. David Lee and Durant also do it often on thier own.
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jlt421
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Posted on: January 29, 2009 8:21 pm
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Al Jefferson snubbed....are you kidding me?
WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
PLAYER A: 22.7 PPG 10.5 RPG 49% FG 74% FT
PLAYER B: 20.6 PPG 10.3 RPG 52% FG 68% FT
You would choose Player A right? Well.....Player A is Al Jefferson, and Player B is Tim Duncan, the starting PF for the West.... A complete travesty he did not make the team just beacuse the Wolves aren't a good team.
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thommie2011jz
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Posted on: January 29, 2009 8:27 pm
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
On top of that, Jefferson averages those numbers with constantly facing double, usually triple teams beacause their are no other legitamate threat for the timberwolves offensively.
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MotownKit
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Posted on: January 29, 2009 9:07 pm
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
Calderon deserves a spot. Hands down. Don't know why he was left off or no one is calling him a possible snub?
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MotownKit
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Posted on: January 29, 2009 9:09 pm
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
Al Jefferson definitely got snubbed too but I dont know exactly who I would take off, maybe David West.
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Bluejays4ws
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Posted on: January 29, 2009 9:26 pm
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
Shaq should be an all-star. If there's anyone Al Jefferson should've made it in over it would have to be David West
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playmaker21
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
i don't see why people are making fuss outta the all-star game, the weekend is just an excuse for people
to get drunk and have sex with hookers, nobody takes the game seriously. Also the media dig up the same garbage
every year and brag about the travesty about who didn't got in, or who got in. ENOUGH ALREADY.
also im sick of former nba-players using the all-star weekend to grandstand and promote their useless lives like how that homo amaechi tried to steal the show.
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Hawkman77
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Posted on: January 30, 2009 2:37 am
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
I say david lee instead of lewis or nelson i know orlando has a winning record but they already have howard starting. Lewis and Nelsons numbers are not great. David lee has great numbersTwo problems with that. 1) they play different positions. Nobody is going to pick David Lee over Jameer Nelson when they need a point guard for the team. 2) the numbers don't tell the whole story. Basketball fans know Lee is a good ballplayer, a scrapper who is not a star but who has played very well in D'antoni's system. Nelson is one of the few point guards shooting more than 50% from the field and is leading his team. I think Lewis is less deserving than Nelson but he's been great at what he does also. Lee is a nice player but he does not have great numbers - he has one great number, and that's his rebounding number.
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Hawkman77
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Shaq & Kobe, together again
WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? PLAYER A: 22.7 PPG 10.5 RPG 49% FG 74% FT PLAYER B: 20.6 PPG 10.3 RPG 52% FG 68% FTHorrible question. This is like saying numbers matter more than contributions and skill. Numbers don't account for the type of team a player is on, how he fits in the defense, intangibles, defense, etc.
Duncan = Hall of Fame and having a very strong year. Shooting a better percentage than Jefferson.
Jefferson = Good player. Might make an all-star team or two in his career. Can get to the Hall of Fame if he buys a ticket.
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Xavier Thompson from THE BLEACHER REPORT --- see part of story here: (scroll up to see all)
Firstly, let's start with the deserved ...
On the Eastern side of things, we saw all THREE debutantes in Nelson, Granger and Harris. A bit surprising since all are in the middle of their breakout seasosn, especially hARRIS AND nELSON (gRANGER was pretty good last year but has still improved a great deal). The bottom line, however, is that all three DESERVED their allstar selections. The rest of the east was pretty expected with Rashard Lewis being the only member chosen by the coaches which I thought was a bit undeserved. Now don't get me wrong Rashard is playing bball at a very high level and we're seeing numbers reminiscient of what he put up as a Super Sonic which led to his rise to stardom. Furthermore, after last year's dismal season (by my accounts) I think he's made very big steps in shwocasing his value to the Magics organization and fans. However, his numbers don't light up the board enough to be playing in such a showcase. Allen Iverson's selection was obviously the MOST UNDESERVED, however, seeing he was actually voted in by the fans then I have no right to argue, they choose what they want to see.
SNUBS ON THE EAST:
Mike Bibby - definately deserved a nod due to the way he's provided that extra uumph the Hawks needed to become a contender in the East.
Vince Carter - he may not be able to jump as high or as much but he still can light it up on any choosen day ... plus his numbers don't lie (maybe if the nets had a better record he would have made it)
Andre Iguodala
Tashaun Prince - this is more because of my view that a player which is undoubtedly the most valauble on his team though his numbers may not show this.
David Lee - maybe next year but the kid can play
ON THE WEST
NO FIRST TIMERS .... NOT SURPRISED. The ONLY problem with the roster chosen was DAVID WEST. Yeah, 20 ppg, 7 rpg looks pretty good on a stat sheet
Can't really say "Snubs" since the lineup was a pretty deserved one but there were a number of surprise absentees:
Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony (no excuse for him not being on ... definately should have made it over DAVID WEST), Al Jefferson (not really "surprising" per se but...), The Utah Twins ... Carlos "C-Bo" Boozer and Deron Williams (.... obviously only the injruies kept these two BEASTS off the roster), KEVIN DURANT ( if only this guy did not play for such a horrendous team but my God has this kid improved in terms of bball IQ and rebounding skills BIG PROPS TO MR. DURANT ... who the hell needs to be able to bench press 180 when u can play like this right? - mind over matter)
:)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRSTLY LETS JUS RECAP THE CHOSEN FEW
All-Star Game rosters
* — starters
EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
No.
Player, team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/HS/Country All-Star
Selections
4
Chris Bosh, Toronto
F/C
6-1
230
Georgia Tech 4th
5
* Kevin Garnett, Boston
F
6-11
220
Farragut Academy 12th
33
Danny Granger, Indiana
F
6-8
225
New Mexico 1st
34
Devin Harris, New Jersey
G
6-3
185
Wisconsin 1st
12
* Dwight Howard, Orlando
C
6-11
265
SW Atlanta Christian Academy 3rd
3
* Allen Iverson, Detroit
G
6-10
165
Georgetown 10th
23
* LeBron James, Cleveland
F
6-8
250
St. Vincent/St. Mary HS 5th
2
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
G
6-7
235
Arkansas 3rd
9
Rashard Lewis, Orlando
F
6-10
215
Alief Elsik HS 2nd
14
Jameer Nelson, Orlando
G
6-0
190
St. Joseph’s 1st
34
Paul Pierce, Boston
F
6-7
235
Kansas 7th
3
* Dwayne Wade, Miami
G
6-4
210
Marquette 5th
WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
No.
Player, team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/HS/Country All-Star
Selections
1
Chauncey Billups, Denver
G
6-3
202
Colorado 4th
24
* Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
G
6-6
205
Lower Merion HS 11th
21
* Tim Duncan, San Antonio
F
6-11
260
Wake Forest 11th
16
Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
F
7-0
227
Spain 2nd
11
* Yao Ming, Houston
C
7-6
310
China 7th
41
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
F
7-0
245
Germany 8th
32
Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix
C
7-1
315
Louisiana State 15th
9
Tony Parker, San Antonio
G
6-2
177
France 3rd
3
* Chris Paul, New Orleans
G
6-0
175
Wake Forest 2nd
7
Brandon Roy, Portland
G
6-6
211
Washington 2nd
1
* Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
F/C
6-10
245
Cypress Creek HS 4th
30
David West, New Orleans
F
6-9
240
Xavier 2nd
Firstly, let’s start with THE EAST …
On the Eastern side of things, we saw all THREE debutantes in Nelson, Granger and Harris. A bit surprising since all are in the middle of their breakout seasosn, especially Harris and Nelson (Granger was pretty good last year but has still improved a great deal). The bottom line, however, is that all three DESERVED their allstar selections.
The rest of the east was pretty expected with Rashard Lewis being the only member chosen by the coaches which I thought was a bit undeserved. Now don’t get me wrong Rashard is playing bball at a very high level and we’re seeing numbers reminiscient of what he put up as a Super Sonic which led to his rise to stardom. Furthermore, after last year’s dismal season (by my accounts) I think he’s made very big steps in showcasing his value to the Magics organization and fans. However, his numbers don’t light up the board enough to be playing in such a showcase.
Allen Iverson’s selection was obviously the MOST UNDESERVED, however, seeing he was actually voted in by the fans then I have no right to argue, they choose what they want to see.
SNUBS on the EAST:
Mike Bibby - definately deserved a nod due to the way he’s provided that extra uumph the Hawks needed to become a contender in the East.
Vince Carter - he may not be able to jump as high or as much but he still can light it up on any given day … plus his numbers don’t lie (maybe if the nets had a better record he would have made it)
Andre Iguodala
Tashaun Prince - this is more because of my view that a player which is undoubtedly the most valuable on his team though his numbers may not show this.
David Lee - maybe next year but the kid can play
THE WEST
NO FIRST TIMERS …. NOT SURPRISED. The ONLY problem with the roster chosen was DAVID WEST. Yeah, 20 ppg, 7 rpg looks pretty good on a stat sheet but he really hasn't provided any 'sting' for the hornets.
Can’t really say “Snubs” since the lineup was a pretty deserved one but there were a number of surprise absentees:
Steve Nash
Carmelo Anthony (no excuse for him not being on … definately should have made it over DAVID WEST)
Al Jefferson (not really “surprising” per se but…)
The Utah Twins … Carlos “C-Bo” Boozer and Deron Williams (…. obviously only the injuries kept these two BEASTS off the roster)
KEVIN DURANT - if only this guy did not play for such a horrendous team but my God has this kid improved in terms of bball IQ and rebounding skills. BIG PROPS TO MR. DURANT … who in the world needs to be able to bench press 180 when u can play like this right? - mind over matter.
—- Xavier Thompson
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/118091-nba-2009-allstars-have-been-named-who-deserved-it-who-got-snubbed?just_published=1
