All Star rosters

OK, finally, the 2009 All-Star Game's starters (voted by fans) and reserves (voted by coaches) were determined, as follows:

EAST

Starters:

G Allen Iverson, DET
G Dwyane Wade, MIA
F LeBron James, CLE
F Kevin Garnett, BOS
C Dwight Howard, ORL

I am perfectly fine with the starting lineup except Allen Iverson. I would replace him with Joe Johnson at guard. I am also glad that Yi did not beat out LBJ or KG at forward thereby avoiding all the embarrassment, even though he's injured and would not play even though he's voted as starter.

Reserves:

G Joe Johnson, ATL
G Devin Harris, NJN
G Jameer Nelson, ORL
F Danny Granger, IND
F Rashard Lewis, ORL
F Paul Pierce, BOS
C Chris Bosh, TOR

First, Joe Johnson should have been voted as a starter. Next, at center, Chris Bosh is clearly a no-brainer. Danny Granger is 4th in scoring and is in the top 20 in efficiency. Plus, he's an exciting player to watch. So he is an all-star. As for PP, well, it is kind of understanding that there should be at least 2 representatives from the Celtics' Big Three, so PP should be there. Devin Harris has a breakout season and has been scoring at will while also doing a good job in play making, although his team is not winning. And just like that, basically two guards, two forwards and one center are set.

Now the wild cards, which is also the tricky part. I can understand that, given their record, the Magic should have 2 players in the rosters. But three? That's a bit too much. I love the way Jameer Nelson has improved this season, which is also a major reason why the Magic has become one of the best teams in the league. But if I have to pick an all-star from Orlando, I would have to go for Hedo Turkoglu, who is clearly the team leader and the most versatile. His stats will never stand out but no one can deny that he is the second most important player in the team. Otherwise, I would settle with Rashard Lewis, who is one of the smoothest pure scorers in the league. Either way, I would not have voted for Jameer Nelson. I am not downplaying Nelson's effort, but it is just that both Turkoglu and Lewis deserves more.

And how could you snub Ray Allen? I mean, picking Jameer Nelson ahead of Ray Allen? Ray Ray has always been overlooked in this talented Celtic team, because he seldom handles the ball, his plays are rarely shown in highlights and he does not show much emotion like KG or PP. But he's still one of the top guards and the smoothest shooter in the league, if not in history.

People have been pushing for Mo Williams to be an All-Star, as they consider that the Cavaliers, being the best team in the league, should warrant 2 selections. Yes, Mo is the second best player in the Cavs (but I'm not sure whether it is still true if Ilgauskas was not injured), and yes, his numbers are nice, and for sure his arrival has taken the team to another level. But C'mon, he is far from being an All-Star. Forget it. Are you saying that Mo is better than Devin Harris or Jameer Nelson? Please.


WEST

Starters:

G Chris Paul, NOR
G Kobe Bryant, LAL
F Amare Stoudemire, PHO
F Tim Duncan, SAS
C Yao Ming, HOU

Almost ideal, although I would prefer Dirk Nowitzki to Amare Stoudemire. Yet, finally the fans did come to some sense in the last moment as CP3 just edged out T-mac at guard.

Reserves:

G Chauncey Billups, DEN
G Tony Parker, SAS
G Brandon Roy, POR
F Pau Gasol, LAL
F Dirk Nowitzki, DAL
F David West, NOR
C Shaquille O'Neal, PHO

Most no-brainers here. As I said before, Dirk is having some MVP stats this season (5th in scoring), he should have been voted as starter. Billups has transformed the Nuggets from a borderline playoffs team to now 4th in the West, he clearly deserves it. Roy is the hero of the Blazers and we have seen him singlehandedly winning games for his team like Kobe/Wade, another no-brainer. Gasol is the foruth best forward behind Duncan, Dirk and Amare, and he showed how he could dominate the game when needed, bear in mind that there are not that many players can do that, in particular as a teammate of Kobe. Purely based on production, Al Jefferson can really challenge Shaq at center. However, (1) the Suns are winning way more games than the Wolves; (2) the ASG is playing in Phoenix; and (3) Shaq's reputation and popularity, we have to pick Shaq over Jefferson. Tony Parker is the second best players in the Spurs with 20.5 PPG and 6.5 APG. He's shooting better this season (both FG and FT). He has to be there.

Now here is the controversy. With just one wild card left, who would you pick? The two-time MVP (Steve Nash) but then we will have 3 Suns? The talented scorer (Carmelo Anthony) who deferred his role to the new-coming Billups but who also missed a considerable number of games due to injury? How about the low key PG who is 2nd in assist (Deron Williams)? To me, all three are legitimate choices. If I have to choose, I would go for Deron Williams, as there is no way that the Jazz, who has been playing so well without Boozer, does not have a single representative in the ASG. Plus, I think Deron is really long due.

You may make a case for ex-ROY Kevin Durant too, who is now standing at #6 in scoring and has been shooting way better this season. But I think it is a bit stretch to name him as an All-Star at this point of time. But I do think Durant is a bit underrated after the team moved to Oklahoma City.

But David West? I mean, David freaking West of the Hornets? Yes, he's averaging 20 PPG. Yes, he's the second best player in his team. Yes, he's a talented player with good working ethics. But this year? All-Star? There's no way that he should be picked ahead of Nash, 'Melo or D-Will, however I like him.