All-Star Starters

[Pugz]

As announced by TNT, here are the Eastern Conference All-Star starters:

F: Kevin Garnett, Boston
F: LeBron James, Cleveland
C: Dwight Howard, Orlando
G: Dwyane Wade, Miami
G: Jason Kidd, New Jersey

Western Conference All-Star starters:

F: Tim Duncan, San Antonio
F: Carmelo Anthony, Denver
C: Yao Ming, Houston
G: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
G: Allen Iverson, Denver

 

[The Guid]

Would have rather seen Allen or Pierce over Wade but I guess I can take just KG

 

[Pugz]

Would have rather seen Allen or Pierce over Wade but I guess I can take just KG

Rip woulda got it over Wade but..Yea I don't think Wade should have got it.

 

[RipCity32]

I find it really retarded how Billups, Hamilton, Allen, Johnson and many more aren't starting over Wade. Wade's team is one of the worst teams in the league. He doesn't deserve that spot at all.

 

[sheed]

Its all a popularity contest, all stars dont get voted in for skills anymore really.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

I find it really retarded how Billups, Hamilton, Allen, Johnson and many more aren't starting over Wade. Wade's team is one of the worst teams in the league. He doesn't deserve that spot at all.

Well Wade does average more PPG than those guys but other than that No Shaq FTW.

 

[RipCity32]

I know but below .500 teams shouldn't be able to have an All-Star starter on it. Maybe reserve but starter...no.

 

[RipCity32]

When are the reserves announced?

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

I know but below .500 teams shouldn't be able to have an All-Star starter on it. Maybe reserve but starter...no.

Well there are not that many teams in the east over .500

 

[-Torres-]

Its all a popularity contest, all stars dont get voted in for skills anymore really.

Wade is one of the most skilled players in the league, his team just sux this year. He maybe should not be a starter because of that, but he definetaly should make it.

 

[Pugz]

When are the reserves announced?

I think Thursday.

 

[.snowy]

Its all a popularity contest, all stars dont get voted in for skills anymore really.

I dont think thats true. Dwight is starting over Shaq. Yao actually deserves to start this year, Melo deserves his spot, as does Kidd. Im pretty happy with the starting 5s this year. Hopefully Bogut gets bench based on his past month (17 and 10)

 

[Pugz]

I dont think thats true. Dwight is starting over Shaq. Yao actually deserves to start this year, Melo deserves his spot, as does Kidd. Im pretty happy with the starting 5s this year. Hopefully Bogut gets bench based on his past month (17 and 10)

I think Camby should start over Yao but I do like the starters other than Wade(he just shouldn't start this year)

 

[RipCity32]

I'm fine with all the starters but Wade. Wade should be a reserve plain and simple.

And maybe Camby over Yao, cause Camby is just a monster.

 

[Mexi]

all-star game isnt based on team record, its based on personal stats
i hate Wade as much as the next guy, but he's been on a personal role lately. sure his team isnt winning, but his stats are very very good.
line-ups look good on both sides

and West is gonna win BTW

 

[Mexi]

I know but below .500 teams shouldn't be able to have an All-Star starter on it. Maybe reserve but starter...no.

why?
the ASG is about PERSONAL STATISTICS
who cares how well the team is playing. if your playing great, you should start

 

[.snowy]

Sexiest jerseys in a while.

 

[Pugz]

I like the West jersey.

 

[kdogg]

Wow, those jersey look great this year...

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:YahooSports

Now comes the tough part: filling the All-Star benches

By Stan McNeal - SportingNews

OK, let's give the fans a pat on the back and move on. Ten choices to make, and they botched only one. I probably don't need to tell you which pick the fans flubbed but I will, anyway: Allen Iverson should not be starting ahead of Steve Nash (Iverson, however, is a better choice than Tracy McGrady, who was in the starting lineup until the final voting was announced).

You might argue with Carmelo Anthony starting ahead of Dirk Nowitzki or Dwyane Wade ahead of Chauncey Billups. But those are nitpicks. The fans did all right.

Now come the real questions about who goes to New Orleans for the Feb. 17 game.

Who's a lock to be named a reserve when they're announced next Thursday? (Coaches choose seven players -- two guards, two forwards, a center and two players at any position.)

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In the West, Nash and Chris Paul as guards and Nowitzki as a forward. Baron Davis definitely deserves one of the wild cards.

Who does that leave for the other three spots?

At the other forward, Carlos Boozer is the pick although if coaches based their call on team success, Stephen Jackson would have a strong case. Still, Boozer's a dominant inside force and no way should he be left off.

At the second center, Amare Stoudemire has to beat out Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler. I say he will, but all three have legit credentials.

At the second wild card, Camby would get my vote. But he has plenty of competition in Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Josh Howard, as well as Chandler and Jackson. In other words, at least seven deserving players in the West will be left home.

And the locks in the East ?

Forwards Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce, Billups as a guard and Caron Butler as a wild card.

And that leaves...?

At center, Rasheed Wallace doesn't have All-Star numbers (12.3, 7.3) but he plays for the Pistons and he benefits from a lack of quality post men in the conference. Coaches, however, could pull a sly one and name Bosh as a center, which would open a spot for a more deserving player.

At the other guard, coaches can choose from a number of veteran standbys enjoying solid seasons, including Rip Hamilton, Ray Allen, Michael Redd and Joe Johnson. Redd wins my coin flip.

At the second wild card, Allen gets the nod over Richard Jefferson and Gerald Wallace because of the Celtics' first-half success.

THE ROSTERS

WEST
Starting lineup
F Tim Duncan
F Carmelo Anthony
C Yao Ming
G Kobe Bryant
G Allen Iverson

McNeal's predicted backups
F Dirk Nowitzki
F Carlos Boozer
C Amare Stoudemire
G Steve Nash
G Chris Paul
Wild card G Baron Davis
Wild card C Marcus Camby

EAST
Starting lineup
F Kevin Garnett
F LeBron James
C Dwight Howard
G Dwyane Wade
G Jason Kidd

McNeal's predicted backups
F Paul Pierce
F Chris Bosh
C Rasheed Wallace
G Chauncey Billups
G Michael Redd
Wild card F Caron Butler
Wild card F Ray Allen