The starting lineups for the All-Star game are voted on by the fans, and the results were announced today. Here are the results, and I think you'd agree that the fans got it (almost) right this time:
F – LeBron James, Cleveland
F – Chris Bosh, Toronto
C – Shaquille O'Neal, Miami
G – Dwyane Wade, Miami
G – Gilbert Arenas, Washington
That's right, Gilbert edged out Vince Carter in the final voting to get the starting spot by only 3,010 votes. Even though Arenas didn't give his all in last year's game, something tells me he'll approach it a little differently now that he's starting.
I said the fans got it mostly right, so what would I have done differently? I don't think you can vote for a guy to start the All-Star game who has missed almost all of the first half of the season. Of course I'm talking about Shaq, and even though when healthy there's little doubt that he's the best center in the East, I would have given the starting position to Dwight Howard. The NBA has plenty of quirky rules where the All-Star game is concerned, they should have a minimum number of games that players need to participate in if they want to start. Shaq could have still been put on as a reserve, I just think the starting thing is a privilege that should go to someone who actually plays in every game.
Other than that, I have no problem with Lebron (who was the leading vote getter by the way -- impressive), Bosh, Wade, or Arenas getting the starting spots; I think they all clearly deserved it. Anyone out there think someone else should have cracked the starting lineup in the East?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-26-2007 @ 9:41AM
Cape Cod Today Dot Com said...
Although Howard is the morepopular choice, I was kind of rooting for Eddy Curry to get the starting center nod.
For all the guff Zeke takes, the Curry trade is looking like a flat-out steal from Zeke's standpoint. Maybe the Knicks will drop into the top three lottery teams...but if they don't, NY snagged 19 a game on nearly 60% from the floor for a fat guy and at least one rookie project failure.
Curry's defense is weak and his rebounding numbers are wholly dependent on how many free throws the other team misses.... but 19 a gameis 19 a game, he can shoot lights-out, he is rebounding respectfully (especially where you remember that the offense is being run through him, thus limiting his offensive rebounding capabilities), and he even plays relatively cheaply (both Mo Taylor and ShAnderson make more $$).
If Chicago doesn't strike gold next summer in the draft, we may have found the one guy on Earth who got outsmarted by Isiah Thomas. it's even more enjoyable when combined with the fact that every reporter everywhere had this trade scored as a rout for Chicago as recently as Thanksgiving.
Chicago then compounded the error by going out and paying Ben Wallace twice themoney foronemore rebound a game. Wallace has likely one good year left, while Curry is 24 or so. Their rebounding numbers are near-identical, and I don't believe Curry wears a headband.
Unless the #8 or so pick in the draft yields a 20ppg center, I'd start thinking about cutting my ties with both Paxson and Skiles if I owned the Bulls. Those two failed to properly utilize the 2nd or 3rd best low post scorer in the NBA at the moment, gave him away for peanuts, and then horribly squandered the team's salary cap flexibility filling the gap.
God protects fools and small children, it seems...
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1-26-2007 @ 7:42AM
jim said...
does anybody really care who plays and who doesn't.After the game most of the players will go back to their penal (prison) room. have a good time.
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1-28-2007 @ 11:31AM
ryan said...
F-LeBrn James:every night he will put on a show,he can just about do anything(makes m think y shaqs'superman')even though he manages with a weak cavs team with no real pg or 3-sharp shooters
F-Emeka Okafor/chris bosh/Tayshaun Prince/Jermaine O'niel:well emeka okafor has a good chance at being this years all defensive player and he puts up good numbers,meanwhile chris bosh is an obvious choice seeing the way he plays(a real life kevin garnett in the making),tayshaun is underrated and could play at all star level and jermain is always ready to face opposing forwards
G-dwyane wade:his level of play seems to get better as the game gets harder and he plays better in crunch time.
G-gilbert arenas:2 words: SCORING MACHINE
C-i don't really care there is not much choice bu i will have to go with shaq.
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