NBA All-Star starters named
I’ve been fairly quiet (at least on this blog) about the NBA this season so I figured with the announcement of the All-Star starters, now’s as good as time as any to break my silence.
In case you haven’t seen the list (or can’t believe that it’s already that time of year), here it is:
EAST
Guards: Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose
Forwards: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony
Center: Dwight Howard
WEST
Guards: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul
Forwards: Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin
Center: Andrew Bynum
As with any All-Star selections, there are no-doubt, no-question locks. The East is about as spot-on as you can get. Howard is easy if only because the center position is about as thin as any in sports. Rose, Wade, LeBron and Melo are also no-brainers (at least this year) as are Kobe and Durant.
The others, well, there are arguments to be made.
*This is the point where I should clarify that allowing fans to vote for an All-Star game muddles any real resemblance of true All-Star recognition. But that’s another problem altogether.
**Also, reserves don’t come out until Feb. 9, so there’s a strong possibility that guys I think should be starters will at least make the All-Star roster.
Fail #1: Blake Griffin
Look, Griffin is an electrifying player. He’s fun to watch. He’s a dunk master. You know who else was fun to watch above the rim? This guy. Is Griffin All-Star worthy? Absolutely. Is he better or more deserving than Kevin Love as a starter? Absolutely not. Love is averaging more points and rebounds (shocker, right?) and is essentially a better player than Griffin. Now there are some who argue that the All-Star game is more about sizzle than steak, which leads me to…
Fail #2: Chris Paul
Yes, Paul is averaging more points and more assists than, say, Ricky Rubio. BUT, Rubio has more double-digit assist games this season (10) than Paul (6) – albeit in eight more games played because Paul has missed time this season with injury – and is much more exciting watch at this point. With Griffin winning the fan campaign, the logic behind selecting Paul over Rubio is likely based on the assumption that Griffin-Paul is a package deal, which is a mistake. Nevertheless, Rubio has already shown his incredible court vision and, if you choose Griffin over Love because of flare, the same rule should apply to Rubio.
Fail #3: Andrew Bynum
This might be nitpicking, and maybe it’s a longstanding prejudice I have against Bynum, but you could make just as good a case for Marc Gasol as a starter. Again, with fan voting it’s difficult to expect a guy form Memphis to garner more votes than a guy from Los Angeles. And to be honest, Bynum is probably the most deserving center in the West. I just hope that Gasol and/or Marcin Gortat at least get the recognition they deserve.
While the reserves won’t come out until next week, here’s who should round out the rosters:
EAST
Guards: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Kyrie Irving
Forwards: Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Ryan Anderson
Center: Andrea Bargnani is out indefinitely, so Tyson Chandler or Joakim Noah slide in
WEST
Guards: Russell Westbrook, Monta Ellis, Kevin Martin
Forwards: Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay
Center: Marc Gasol
—-Quick hits—-
* Good to see that Ricky Rubio has been as good as advertised. A guy like that makes Minnesota a more attractive place for free agents.
* I was also happy to see that the Wolves didn’t sign Love to a max deal – partly because Love is not a max contract guy and partly because it didn’t take a max deal to keep him in Minny. And good for Love to ensure a chance to opt-out.
* Rank the following in terms of dirtiness: how LeBron left Cleveland, how Carmelo left Denver and the fashion in which Dwight Howard is trying to leave Orlando.
* The Knicks are easily the most disappointing team in the NBA this season.
* Philadelphia is the most surprising team in the NBA this season.
* My Hawks are looking solid despite losing their All-Star center.
* My Hawks also allowed Marc Gasol to finish plus-40 Thursday night. Plus. 40.
* I was high on Denver and Indiana (combined 30-13) before the season started.
* New Orleans and Charlotte are making strong cases for contraction.
* My fantasy basketball team is currently in 2nd place.
* I like New England over New York on Sunday. Patriots 28, Giants 24.
