2010 All-Star roster

It is kinda late, but let's take a look at the roster voted by fans and selected by the coach:

EAST

Starters:
G Allen Iverson, PHI (filled in by Joe Johnson, ATL, replaced by David Lee, NYK)
G Dwyane Wade, MIA
F LeBron James, CLE
F Kevin Garnett, BOS
C Dwight Howard, ORL

Reserves:
G Joe Johnson, ATL
G Derrick Rose, CHI
G Rajon Rondo, BOS
F Paul Pierce, BOS
F Gerald Wallace, CHA
F Chris Bosh, TOR
C Al Horford, ATL

Substitute:
F David Lee, NYK (replacing Allen Iverson)

First, there is no way on earth that Allen Iverson should be in, so I am glad that he did not participate, for whatever reason. Let's face it folks, he's no longer an all-star. Secondly, like AI, KG was also voted due to reputation. He seems like to have lost a considerable athleticism and agility after the knee injury, most notably he didn't jump as high as before. And he's not as quick in defense rotation (i.e. slow lateral movement). Luckily, KG's still an all-star, but I think Chris Bosh deserves the starting spot more.

As for the reserves, welcome Derrick Rose to play his first ASG. He deserves it. JJ, PP, Bosh's return is no-brainer. Rondo? borderline case, although he's better than AI. The Bocats deserve a spot and Gerald Wallace is a logical choice, especially he no longer falls in love with jumpers. But Horford? C'mon. I know he's good, and the Hawks play well. But All-Star spot? Over David Lee and Andrew Bogut at C? Please. I would have put Josh Smith in and move Bosh to C.

Again, I respect David Lee as the sub-in, but I genuinely believe Josh Smith deserves the spot more.


WEST

Starters:
G Steve Nash, PHO
G Kobe Bryant, LAL (filled in by Dirk Nowitzki, DAL, replaced by Jason Kidd, DAL)
F Carmelo Anthony, DEN
F Tim Duncan, SAS
C Amare Stoudemire, PHO

Reserves:
G Deron Williams, UTA
G Chris Paul, NOH (replaced by Chauncey Billups, DEN)
G Brandon Roy, POR (replaced by Chris Kaman, LAC)
F Dirk Nowitzki, DAL
F Kevin Durant, OKC
F Zach Randolph, MEM
C Pau Gasol, LAL

Substitutes:
G Chauncey Billups, DEN (replacing Chris Paul)
G Jason Kidd, DAL (replacing Kobe Bryant)
C Chris Kaman, LAC (replacing Brandon Roy)

I am perfectly fine with the starting lineup. But I'm biased. I know Dirk deserves the starting spot more than Duncan. But I am a Spurs fan, so bear with me. I'm so glad that 'Melo made it to the starting lineup. He really deserves it this season, after seeing him go unstoppable so many times this year.

As for the reserves, CP3, Roy, Dirk and Gasol are no-brainers. And congratulations to Deron Williams for his first All-Star appearance. It is long due. The fact that the Jazz played so well this season is also worth mentioning. Durant, is another pleasant surprise this season. He is getting better and better and is arguable one of the top 10 players this season. And did I mention that OKC is playing damn good this season? As for Randolph, well, I know he has terrific stats, and I know the Grizz are entertaining. But I cannot forgive what he had done is the past few years after signing a fatty fat contract, namely being lazy and disinterested. And I will never allow a player who has absolutely zero interest in playing D to be an All-Star. Instead of Z-Bo, I will opt for Billups, to represent the Nuggets, the second best team in the West.

Now for the subs, Billups is no-brainer. The choice of J-Kidd is understandable due to "home court advantage", and I'm biased. Kaman is an interesting choice. I may give the nod to Carlos Boozer, though I have been a Boozer-hater all along. I think the Jazz deserves one more spot than the Clippers. But as an injury-sub, Kaman is an acceptable choice. Aaron Brooks of the Rockets is worth mentioning.

All in all, had there not been so many injuries, this year's picks are just fine, maybe except a couple in the West, and Iverson and Horford in the East. The injuries of Kobe, CP3 and Roy have really screwed the otherwise acceptable Western All-Star roster.



The Game

As for the game itself, well, it was boring. I didn't see many flashy moves, significantly fewer alley-oops and complicated dunks, with the exception of the throw-the-ball-to-the-board-and-get-it-back-himself-and-dunk aka "T-mac Dunk" by Wade. It was a close game, but not necessarily an exciting game. The worst probably is that the winner was determined by free throws. Argh. I mean, how did you compare with the unforgettable 1992 ASG aka The Magic All Star Game, which the league celebrated during half time this year? Sigh.

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.

2009 NBA All-Star Ballot

I always find it hard to pick all stars that early, because most of the votes were based on reputation, rather than reflecting the actual performance of the players this season. That is why you'll seee guys like Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady always got voted as All-Star starters no matter whether they were lousy or even injured.

As of Dec 25, the leaders in the latest balloting results are: LeBron James (F), Kevin Garnett (F), Dwyane Wade (G), Allen Iverson (G), Dwight Howard (C) in the East; and Tim Duncan (F), Amare Stoudemire (F), Kobe Bryant (G), Tracy McGrady (G), Yao Ming (C) in the West.

While I have no problem with most of the selections, I would exclude Iverson and McGrady in my list, simply because I have some better and more deserving candidates. My voting would be like this:

EAST:

Fowards:

LeBron James - no-brainer

Kevin Garnett - no brainer

Guards:

Dwyane Wade - no-brainer

Joe Johnson - a close call between JJ and Devin Harris. While Harris is leading the surprising Nets to success that nobody had expected, JJ is doing even more for the Hawks, who now stands firmly at #4 in the East. Who would have thought of that before the season began? Not enough? How about that 23.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.7 APG so far this season? Or all the clutch shots he made in Q4 for the Hawks? (I wish I could get the stat for that. Need to check out 82games.com.)

Center:

Dwight Howard - who else?


WEST

Fowards:

Tim Duncan - he's playing like his old self. The most impressive is the way he led the team to remain competitive during the absence of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. He showed people that he could dominate when he wants to. He's still the best PF in the league.

Dirk Nowitzki - People may choose Carmelo Anthony or Amare Stoudemire, but you can't deny that Dirk is quietly having some MVP-like stat this season: 25.8 PPG and 8.9 RPG. Amare is actually having a worse season this year under Terry Porter. (Although he's getting better after Porter lossened up the offense. But we'll see.) As for 'Melo, he's winning more games, but having a worse stat this season. The wins, are mainly due to the arrival of Billups, not 'Melo.

Guards:

Chris Paul - Although he's not getting as much attention as last season, but his stat hardly drops (20.1 PPG and 11.4 APG), and he's still one of if not the best PGs in the league. Can't imagine people picking T-Mac over him. Ridiculous.

Kobe Bryant - no-brainer, although his stat is off.

Center:

Yao Ming - C'mon, you're not going to vote for Shaq, right?

What about you?

Note:

Yi Jianlian is right now #3 in the voting for the Eastern forward. I mean, please, would all the Chinese stop these stupid pseudo-patriotic act? That's completely meaningless and stupid. Immediately out of my mind, I can think of over 10 forwards in the East that are way better than Yi: Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu in the East. If that is not enough, what about Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace or Andre Igoudala?

If Yi is voted as the starting ineup in the East, it would be a flat out embarrassment to the All-Star Game, to the League, and to the Chinese. Please stop that. I really, really don't want Yi to be remembered as THE most undeserved All-Star in NBA history.

Vote Now! (but not to Yi!)