Well the All Star game is just around the corner. Every year there seems to be some players that get snubbed and are not selected to the team although they deserve recognition. The Western Conference is especially hard to pick because of all the quality players. Here is who I think will make the squads: East: Starters (Fan Vote) G - Tracy McGrady G - Allen Iverson F - Vince Carter F - Jermaine O'Neal C - Ben Wallace Reserves (coaches decide) G Jason Kidd G/F Paul Pierce G/F Jamal Mashburn F Antoine Walker G Ray Allen G Michael Jordan (might not get selected because he has stated he doesn't want to play in game) C - Zydrunus Illguaskus Alternates (if someone gets hurt) Jalen Rose, Shareef Abdur-Rahim West: Starters G - Kobe Bryant G - Steve Francis F - Kevin Garnett F - Tim Duncan C - Yao Ming Reserves C - Shaquille O'Neal F - Dirk Nowitzki F - Chris Webber G - Gary Payton G - Stephon Marbury F - Karl Malone G - Steve Nash Alternates Shawn Marion, Micheal Finley, Elton Brand, Rasheed Wallace, Antawn Jamison Man its tough picking those last few Westen conference spots because theit are so many deserving players. Who do you think will make the teams?
I think you might me right slinslin. I picked Malone partly because it seems that the top teams all get at least one player on the All Star Team. I definetely wouldn't put him on the team if he played in the West but since he's in the East and he has led the Wiz to playoff positioning I thouht he might make it.
i predict... east: starters g-iverson g-tmac c-wallace f-oneal f-carter bench kidd pierce mashburn walker b.miller abdur-rahim allen west: starters f-duncan g-garnett c-ming g-bryant g-francis bench: shaq payton nash marion nowitzki webber brand
Shoe ins are Yao, KG, TD, KB and SF as starters, Oneal, Dirk, Webber and Payton as back-ups. That means Marbury, Malone, Marion, Nash, Finley, Bibby, Brand and Jamison have some case for the 3 slots. You can eliminate Brand because there are too many better PFs, Bibby because there are too many better PGs, and Jamison because Marion is a better 3 and there are much better 4s. I think Marion is a close to a shoe in because he is the best Phx player and they have had a good first half, and gives the West a hyper-athletic extra swingman. Nash is also close to a shoe in because he his shooting better than Marbury, his team has the best league record, and has much greater appeal within and outside of the league as being a true leader than Marbury. So that leaves: Marbury, Malone, & Finley. Anyones guess here. Marbury has a statistical case, but he would be the 4th PG. Of course that wouldn't be too problematic with SF and GP mostly having the size and strength to play some 2. Malone has the legacy working--but like Brand there are 4 guys on the team that can play the 4 spot better than he can. Finley is a wild card--but he would be the third Mav and is a fine player but just below superstar level. I guess odds are it is Marbury though without a doubt this is the most tenous slot and one of the other two might get it.
Steve Francis Kobe Bryant Kevin Garnett Tim Duncan Yao Ming... Shaq. Chris Webber? Steve Nash? AND YES TO MARION. I think he is going to make it. I hope Michael Jordan is selected too. Respect!
About the All Star game... how would it be for whichever conference wins the All Star game gets homecourt advantage for the NBA Finals? Like....West beats East....Kings get homecourt advantage against Nets in this season's finals. Is that a good idea? That's what MLB is or is about to do...I think.
WEST G-Francis G-Bryant C-Ming F-Duncan F-Garnett Bench: Shaq, Webber, Payton, Nowitzki, Nash, Marion, Brand. Didn't Shaq say he may not play?? If that's the case, put Malone or Divac in. EAST G-Iverson G-TMac C-Wallace F-J. O'Neal F-Carter (Mashburn if Carter is injured) Bench: Kidd, Pierce, B.Miller, Allen, G.Robinson, Walker, Stackhouse.
My prediction: East: AI T-Mac Vince JO Wallace Reserves: Kidd, Ray Allen, MJ, Pierce, Mashburn, Walker, Brad Miller West: Francis Kobe KG Duncan Yao Reserves: Payton, Nash, Marion, Dirk, Brand, Webber, Shaq No Marbury
Personally I don't like. It takes away the fun of the game and also that will be a disadvantage to the respective conference winners. The guys play to have fun not thinking of champions in the all-star game that is.
I think the winning team's players get 10k and the losing team 5k as it stands now. I could, of course, be mistaken.
West: Kobe Bryant Steve Francis Steve Nash Mike Bibby Gary Payton Tim Duncan Kevin Garnett Chris Webber Dirk Nowitzki Elton Brand Yao Ming Shaquille O'Neal East: Tracy McGrady Allen Iverson Jason Kidd Paul Pierce Jerry Stackhouse Vince Carter Jermaine O'Neal Antoine Walker Shareef Abdur-Rahim Jamal Mashburn Ben Wallace Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Good picks JuanValdez. But do you really think Bibby will make the team over Marbury and Marion even though he has been out for half the year so far?
