The reserves for this year's NBA All-Star game were announced, and as always, there were a few surprises. We already talked about the West, but keep reading past the jump for a discussion of who made the cut in the East -- and whether anybody deserves to feel snubbed.
And the 2009 Eastern All-Star reserves are ...
F - Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
F - Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
F - Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
F - Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
G - Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
G - Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic
G - Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
First of all, kudos to the coaches for bending the rules and not voting in a center. Bosh, listed as a forward on the official ballot, is more than capable of manning the middle, especially in a meaningless exhibition where no one plays any defense. There are too many players who actually deserved to make the roster to justify lowering the bar for someone like Emeka Okafor simply to fill a hard-and-fast position quota.
With Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James voted in as starters, Orlando now has three All-Stars, Boston two and Cleveland just one. Is that fair? Let's look at who got left out:
-- Mo Williams. The Cavs entered tonight's action with the best record in the league, so the fact LeBron James won't have a sidekick along for the ride in Phoenix looks a little funny. But let's throw Cleveland's record out the window for a second and look at this objectively.
Williams, for all the attention he's received this year, is putting up almost the exact same numbers he did his last two seasons in Milwaukee. If he didn't deserve it then, why is it such a travesty now? When it comes down to it, he's a point guard averaging just 4.2 assists per game. No, it's not his fault the offense flows through LeBron, but I'd put Mike Bibby or Rajon Rondo on the team before I included Williams. Speaking of Rondo ...
-- Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. I like both of these guys, but who do you take off? It's tough to make everybody happy when there are only seven spots to fill. Rondo is having a very fine season -- he may be the best defensive point guard in the league and continues to improve as a distributor. If he keeps improving, he'll probably make the cut next year. Allen is also having a solid season, but better than Joe Johnson? For that matter, better than Vince Carter? No and no.
If Jameer Nelson's name surprises you, you haven't been paying attention. He's done an incredible job stepping up his game this year and actually ranks in the top four in PER among point guards, trailing only Chris Paul, Devin Harris and Tony Parker, and sitting one spot ahead of Chauncey Billups. That's pretty exclusive company and indicative of the extremely efficient season he's having, shooting 50.4% from the field and 44.6% from three-point land.
Some considered Danny Granger to be on the bubble, but it would have been a shame if he didn't make it. Yes, he's playing on a losing team, but you can't ignore a guy who scores 25.8 points, grabs 5.0 boards and dishes 3.4 assists a night.
All in all, I think the coaches got this right.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
To leave David Lee off the team, is a perfect example of what the NBA has truly become. I can understand him not being voted in as a starter, but the actions of the coaches to ignore his workman-like efforts, second only to Howard in double-doubles, on several ocassions scoring over 20 points in games while being the 3rd best rebounder in the league, 2nd best shooting percentage, 2 assists per game and though under-sized, taking a beating but keeps his team moving closer to a playoff berth, most experts said could not happen this year. He is an old fashioned work-horse, putting up All-Star numbers, but without the flashy attitude & talk that so unfortunately has become the standard for today's NBA. By today's NBA standards of recognition, guys like Kevin McHale, Wes Unseld, & so many of their peers would never be recognized for their talent. Today it's "showmanship & performance," over substance.That's why an old pro like Shaq, who can barely lumber up & down the court, can still dominate the game when he is healthy.
"He is an old fashioned work-horse, putting up All-Star numbers, but without the flashy attitude & talk that so unfortunately has become the standard for today's NBA. ... Today it's 'showmanship & performance,' over substance."
What flashy/talkative player took Lee's spot? I can understand if you're upset your favorite player was snubbed, but your stereotypes about the league don't fit this roster.
I mean how can Al not get in, but David West? The guy has not missed any games this season, and David West points and rebounds are down this year.
Paul Pierce? *sigh* look at his stats, they are nothing compared to Vince’s, and with two other all-stars on the team, of course they’d be winning, but he hasn’t done much individually.
Nelson is understandable, but Rashard Lewis? Do the magic really deserve 3 all-stars? Lewis is having a great year, so is Nelson, but Carter is way more deserving.
I’d have put Ray Allen as the wildcard over Lewis, and put VC as a forward instead of Pierce…
*sigh*
VC, your having a great year, and I know you’d rather sleep, but if you went in, people could realize even more that you were having one of your best seasons in quite a while, and have been the leader, and the best player on this team.
I just wish Devin could have talked about Vince more. I mean when he was talking on TNT, he just talked about how “I knew that I can become a very good player, I’ve got all the skills, me and Frank were solid.”
They had to drag out him talking about Vince, god…no respect.
Congratulations Harris, hopefully by the end of the season, you proved you deserve it.
I’m not asking for an injury, but I just hope Vince gets some recognition, being over guys like Mo and Ray.
Don’t worry VC, I know your a true all-star.
"but the actions of the coaches to ignore his workman-like efforts, second only to Howard in double-doubles, on several ocassions scoring over 20 points in games while being the 3rd best rebounder in the league, 2nd best shooting percentage"
you high yo?
$m0k1N |3LUNTZ?
look at the system he plays in, because he plays in the seven-seconds-or-less system he's going have more opportunities for rebounds since there's more possesions. dont get me wrong hes a solid player, but i dont think he should even be mentioned in the all-star discussion.
now to this:
"By today's NBA standards of recognition, guys like Kevin McHale, Wes Unseld, & so many of their peers would never be recognized for their talent. Today it's "showmanship & performance," over substance."
so there's this guy named Tim Duncan. Most people seem to think he's pretty good. Heck he even got voted into the starting line-up of the all-star game. naybe people weren't aware of his boring style of play? this guys not flashy?! what the hell is he doing in the all-star game. who knows. probably just a fluke..
but wait, he has a friend! his names Chauncey Billups. yea he's an alright player too. coach's must of seen that too, seeing as he's also in the all-star game. stranggggggggee.
then there's the man trying to make a case for a mr.vince carter. i agree, he's having an amazing year. but the amazing play hasnt really showed up on his teams record. so think to yourself, at 20-26 do the nets really deserve a second all-star? do we really replace paul pierce whos team is 38-9? i dont think so.
then theres the take out rashard for allen theory you got. i agree, rashard isnt having an all-star year. but how are you going to take out paul pierce, then put in allen? take out one celtic and replace him with another. allen's having a great year too. but he still doesnt go in over pierce. sorry cho.
Watch the Knick's D-Lee in action against the Lakers on Monday, February 2nd and decide for yourself if he was snubbed as an All-Star this year!
In addition, you can watch the game while sitting next to a former Knick All-Star!
Sit next to Allan Houston and behind the Knicks bench for the game Monday, February 2nd. This ebay experience also includes an invitation to the Knicks training facility on Monday morning where Allan Houston will instruct you and a guest on shooting techniques and play you in a game of HORSE. Search ebay item 200302346573 and Allan Houston Experience to learn more.
David Lee is no All-Star. There are many players who are more deserving and much better than he is.
You need to get off his D_ _k because he is just a average player
David Lee is no All-Star. There are many individuals who deserve it much more than he does. This Knick-Chick needs to get off his d_ _k
Hey Samtull....Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't understand basketball. If you couldn't tell from my screenname, I am a fan of the KNICKS--not a David Lee groupie. I've attended over 250 of last home games...(that means more than the past six seasons, before the Starbury fiasco, and before the ever-changing stream of coaches).
And "Genius", as a matter of fact, David Lee has never been one of my favorite players but I give him a lot of credit for really picking up his game this season. He's got over 30 double-doubles (second to Howard in the LEAGUE) and we're only half-way through the season.
Of course, there were players in the East who got snubbed as All-Stars, and if you wanted to discuss other players in intellectual way, rather than being crude and ignorant, your opinion might mean something. If you read my comments above, I asked if anyone thought D-Lee was overlooked...as a starter OR more probably, as a RESERVE!
And as a Knick fan, who else am I going to cheer for to pull down the rebounds?? Uh, Jared "I don't put my arms up to block or rebound anymore" Jeffries. Oh, that's right...we haven't even had true center since the late 90's.
Why don't you take a page from the rest of the commentators on this site and say something even minimally mature and worth the time to read?
I agree with David Lee being snubbed, He's the only rebounder on that team, and yet drawing double teams in the paint, he's still putting up all star numbers, and he is a flashy dunker(see mcdonalds all-american dunk contest)..especially in the all star game, he would definately have a great impact on the east, i think having paul pierce is good, but kevin garnett too?? 16 and 9 rebounds..sure hes on the no.1 team in the east but the nba needs to reward guys for there efforts..the Nfl pro-bowl is based on stats. And can someone tell me why Al Jefferson is not going to be in Phoenix
Umm... Andre Iguodala has been pretty good this year... hes been left out of this discussion.. led his team back to .500
It looks like all you "good ole boys," just can't get past your obvious denial of the All-Star quality numbers David Lee is putting up. You deny his rebounding, you deny his scoring & his shooting percentage, etc., despite every team that plays the Knicks does their best to shut him down. As Phil Jackson recently quoted when asked of David Lee, he said "Lee is alot like Scotty Pipen. Without the Scotty Pippin's, you have no serious foundation for winning. Scotty played like an All-Star and it took years for him to get acknowledged. Lee has that talent."
The Knicks are not my team, but I see enough of the League to know that Lee was not the only guy screwed, but at least give Lee his credit, where credit is due. Phil Jackson recognizes talent when he sees it.
By the way, there are plenty of teams, that would kill to have a guy like Lee pulling down 12-15 rebounds EVERY night, as well as giving them 15-20 points EVERY night. If you don't understand that, then you really are in denial.
Hey Samtull....Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't understand basketball. If you couldn't tell from my screenname, I am a fan of the KNICKS--not a David Lee groupie. I've attended over 250 of last home games...(that means more than the past six seasons and before the Starbury fiasco).
And "Genius", as a matter of fact, David Lee has never been one of my favorite players but I give him a lot of credit for really picking up his game this season. He's got over 30 double-doubles (second to Howard in the LEAGUE) and we're only half-way through the season.
Of course, there were players in the East who got snubbed as All-Stars, and if you wanted to discuss other players in intellectual way, rather than being crude and ignorant, your opinion might mean something. If you read my comments above, I asked if anyone thought D-Lee was overlooked...as a starter OR more probably, as a RESERVE!
And as a Knick fan, who else am I going to cheer for to pull down the rebounds?? Uh, Jared "I don't put my arms up to block or rebound anymore" Jeffries. Oh, that's right...we haven't even had true center since the late 90's.
Why don't you take a page from the rest of the commentators on this site and say something even minimally mature and worth the time to read?