Chris Kaman Replaces Brandon Roy on Western All-Stars

Brandon Roy continues to suffer ill effects caused by a hamstring strain, an injury which has kept him out of action since January 20, and which has cost him 12 games in all. As such, there will be no All-Star Game appearance for Portland's best, leaving an empty spot many considered Monta Ellis as the favorite to fill. No dice, as the commissioner's office instead selected beloved guard Chris Kaman. (Note: Kaman is actually neither beloved nor a guard, which means David Stern just started off 0-for-2.)

Kaman probably deserves the berth more than does Ellis, at least by my reckoning. Ellis scores a-plenty, but remains among the league's least efficient top scorers. In other words, if you gave Ricky Davis enough shots, he'd score 26 too. (That comparison is considerably unfair; I immediately apologize to Ellis and the entire Golden State Warriors organization for my hurtful words.)

Kaman has been just lovely in L.A., rebounding well despite being paired with one of the era's great rebounders (Marcus Camby). He's also adjusted well to his newly expanded offensive role in his first non-plagued season without Elton Brand, taking far more shots than he's used to and losing little in the way of efficiency. I mean, he hasn't been overwhelmingly brilliant -- Carlos Boozer quite honestly deserves the All-Star nod much more, and I'm not sure Kaman has much of a better case than Roy's bud LaMarcus Aldridge, or even Houston's Luis Scola. But "it is what it is" and you can never curse a man his first All-Star berth, so cheers, Chris Kaman!