Seems like picking All-Star teams is the hip thing to do this weekend, so I’ll throw my two cents in. For the people scratching their heads wondering why I’m doing the East. Simply put..its a lot easier. Courtesy of rock, paper, scissors I don’t have to struggle with the Manu-BD-Chris Paul-Deron Williams-Brandon Roy-Steve Nash debate. Have fun with that one Coup! I will say this: T-Mac should have to give up his starting spot to Nash or Paul and both of those guys should make the All-Star team.
(Also…Jeff Van Gundy should be fired for making a Top 5 point guard list that excluded both Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups. When Bill Walton is the only one making any sort of sense on your network you know something isn’t quite right, ESPN.)
The fans have spoken on the starters and I would have to agree with their decisions.
C: Dwight Howard
22.4 points per game, 15.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He has pretty much ripped the torch from Shaq’s hand with his dominance this year. The definition of a beast, a complete freak of nature who just keeps getting better every year.
F: Kevin Garnett & LeBron James
The Cavs have no business being 3 games over .500 but they are because of LeBron. The Celtics have no business having the best record in the NBA but they do because of KG. There’s no real debate. Out of their last 7 wins, LeBron has willed them to win 6 of them (Atlanta, Sacramento, the explosion at Toronto, 31-19-8 against the Bobcats, the 51 against Memphis and San Antonio). KG has completely turned everything around in Boston, don’t even bother looking at the stats.
G: Jason Kidd & Dwyane Wade
Jason Kidd is the best point guard in basketball. 11 points, 10 assists and nearly 9 rebounds…the man is nearly averaging a triple-double. Anyone who nearly averages a triple-double is an All-Star, especially when they have to captain the ship known as the Nets. Wade…He’s the number two scorer in the conference on a horrible team. If T-Mac can get voted in, Wade should since he’s trying to play through his injuries when he could shut it down. Name another 2 guard who is in the top-15 in the league in assists. Also if you the 3rd quarter of last night’s Heat/Blazers game, you saw D-Wade. Enough said.
So I agree with the fans. Onto the seven players I am selecting to make the bench. I’m not going to pick 2 guards, 2 forwards…no. Here are the 7 players that I find deserving of making the All-Star team as a reserve.
Chauncey Billups
The captain of the Pistons ship is having a great year. He’s averaging nearly 18 points per game, 7 assists and only 2 turnovers a game. Automatic from the line (90%) and sharp from behind the arc (40%). Easily one of the top PG’s in the game and #2 in the Eastern Conference.
Chris Bosh
Complete miscarriage of justice if Chris Bosh doesn’t make the All-Star team. He carries the Raptors night-in and night-out, nearly averaging a double-double.
Caron Butler & Antawn Jamison
These two are the reason why some people have forgotten how good Gilbert is. Jamison is averaging 20/10…only man in the East not named Dwight doing that. Caron can do it all, but not just that he is the heart and soul of this team.
Ray Allen & Paul Pierce
The other two members of the C-3 have to get in the All-Star game too. They just have to, Pierce carried the C’s during their West Coast road trip and Allen has hit clutch shots and single-handedly beat the Blazers.
Shaquille O’Neal
If Shaq doesn’t make it than Sheed should. I know there is next to no chance he will make it and you can’t make much of an argument averaging 14 and 8 on a 30-loss team…but it’s Shaq. What is the damn All-Star game without Shaq? I wouldn’t know its been that long.