11/05/24
February 09, 2006
NBA Reserves Named:: The coaches have weighed in and four Pistons have been added to the Eastern All-Stars. In the West, both Pau Gasol and Tony Parker will be making their first appearances.
posted by geekyguy to basketball at 09:42 PM - 29 comments
Sounds like a high number of Pistons. But what the hell, they are having a great season. It's better then the baseball allstars when some poor schmuck has to be the required member of the team (Since the rules require at least one player from each team)(Like the Tigers most years) even though their whole team sucks. That has to be the most embaressing way to make the allstars ever.
posted by commander cody at 10:16 PM on February 09, 2006
The All Snubbed Team...these are the guys who should be there but, well, for lack of better reason, they're NOT here...I took regards for those players who were on winning teams and should be there... C- Zydrunas Illgauskas: This guy has played well this season in lieu that Lebron is the star of his team. Look for Z to carry the team in the second half of the year as the Cavs make a great push to the playoffs. F- Tayshaun Prince: If he was on another team he'd be a huge piece of another team, but Prince is the 5th best player on the best team in the league. Someone had to be left off. (My hope is that the other 4 Pistons take Tayshaun with them). Maybe one day he'll make it, but it'll have to be with a larger role in the team's offense... F- Carmello Anthony: This one needs some explaining...Mello loses his spot to T-Mac, who has been out nearly all year (but he has been VERY VALUABLE to Houston...look at their record w/o him). But still, hopefully he makes more games, but I think he's next in line in case someone gets hurt. G- Gilbert Arenas: #4 in scoring, and a great playmaker, he falls b/c of AI's popularity, the success of Detroit's backcourt and of course, stallwarts Pierce and Carter...next year buddy, next year you're gonna be there. G- Sam Cassell: WHERE IS SAM??? Everyone is talking about the absence of Michael Redd, but Cassell has elevated the Clippers (a team with decades of horrible teams) to one of the top records in the East. I can't wait to see this team in the playoffs. They will be a tough out as the 5 seed for Dallas/San Antonio.
posted by chemwizBsquared at 10:36 PM on February 09, 2006
I would agree with Melo and Arenas But Illgauskas?. He's good, but not an All-Star with Shaq, Dwight Howard and Ben freaking Wallace in the East anymore. And for the love of god he is not carrying any team any where. So Tayshaun takes who's spot exactly? Rasheed's? Four Pistons are Four Pistons and they're certainly enough. You'd take Sam Cassell over Michael Redd? Dude, Millwaukee is a good team too and he's the primary guy there.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:59 PM on February 09, 2006
How in the world isn't Arenas an All-Star? My goodness. Being a Warrior fan I long for Arenas in the backcourt as he piles up HUGE numbers in Washington. That one makes no sense, I'm sorry. As for Carmelo, I saw him play the Warriors the other night and well, if he's not an All-Star then he should be. As for the rest of the guys mentioned, I can't really say, but those two are the glaring omissions for me.
posted by donnnnychris at 01:03 AM on February 10, 2006
G- Gilbert Arenas: #4 in scoring, and a great playmaker, he falls b/c of AI's popularity I like Gilbert, however,when it comes to AI, he falls because AI is higher than him in points, assts, and stls. Which usually does make 1 player more popular than the other. Sometimes people look at the all-star game as if it's the MVP game. An all-star can play for a bad team. I like the Cavs center, he has a strong game, but he's not an all-star. Prince is another strong player, but if T-Mac is healthy, you want to see him in an all-star game, not Tayshaun. I mean we're talking about the ultimate show-time game. Can you imagine this call...."It's Tayshaun Prince behind the back, cross-over, between the legs oop to Zydrunas Illgauskas for the 360 windmill dunk"? I wouldn't want to see it. Every player you listed is a great player that I would want on my team in a minute, but the all-star game is a little different.
posted by BlogZilla at 01:06 AM on February 10, 2006
David Stern will name a replacement for the injured Jermaine O'Neal and all expectations are that it will be Gilbert Arenas. No one is talking about the Ron Artest snub. ;) Isn't it a testament to the talent level in the NBA that the snubbed list is so lengthy?
posted by geekyguy at 01:28 AM on February 10, 2006
i know he's a rookie, but no chris paul? that's a shame. Maybe, but a minor one. He'll be in soon enough, and (barring injury) perenially thereafter. The Hornets are fortunate to have him. This one needs some explaining...Mello loses his spot to T-Mac, who has been out nearly all year No explanation needed. T-Mac was voted in by the fans. And I have it on some (*cough*) good resources that T-Mac's jersey now outsells Yao's in China. The Cassell vs. Redd battle is futile, considering Milwaukee's in the East and the Clips are in the West. can't wait to see this team (the Clippers) in the playoffs. They will be a tough out as the 5 seed for Dallas/San Antonio. Yes and no. Bear in mind that the Clips are barely over .500 on the road, and 2-6 overall vs. the Spurs, Pistons, Heat and Mavericks this season. I still maintain the worst All-Star snub this year is the fact that Josh Howard wasn't even on the fucking ballot and was relegated to a write-in. I really wish someone would prove me wrong.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:19 AM on February 10, 2006
"NBA All Star: The Reality Series" It's pretty clear to me that in past years, the most popular guys get the spots. You could be scoring 50 points a game, but if you play for some low market team I bet you'd lose your seat to Mr. bling bling who had a good year in 2002 but has missed 75% of the last 3 seasons with a hangnail. Why not just call it the American Idol show it really is. Not to be a "hater" but it seems to me in most other sports a fair amount of fans know more players than just the ones in MTVs "Cribs"
posted by wisportcheese at 04:54 AM on February 10, 2006
Actually, i don't have a problem with the NBA all star selection, there are so many great players and not too many spots to put them in. I think the MLB allstar game is the worst, just because someone had a couple good years (back in the day) doesn't make them a lifelong allstar, and its pretty lame that someone from every team must go.
posted by chuy at 06:46 AM on February 10, 2006
The NBA All Star game is a joke. It is a popularity contest where even if someone has been hurt most of the season they still get voted in. This is supposed to showcase the best people from the current year, not just the big names. The only good part of the All Star weekend is the 3-point contest.
posted by jmbraun773 at 07:33 AM on February 10, 2006
PEOPLE PEOPLE! There are only so many spots....PERIOD! I do think they could expand the rosters to 14 players each year, and even with that, there are going to be players who are deserving but do not go...THAT IS LIFE IN DA LEAGUE....YA HEARD IT!
posted by DA ASSX3N at 09:29 AM on February 10, 2006
PS:The mere fact that YAO is in the game, as well as my boy T MAC, should be what you are discussing...THE ONES THAT SHOULD NOT BE PLAYING! LIFE IS NOT FAIR...DWI!
posted by DA ASSX3N at 09:31 AM on February 10, 2006
Speaking as objectively as I can, the only one of the 4 Pistons that is a stretch is Rasheed. Rip and Chauncey are deserving, and Ben Wallace is a perennial pick as Shaq's backup. Take Sheed off, put Arenas in, and name Redd as O'Neal's replacement, and everything is right with the world. Now, speaking as a Pistons fan, all 5 starters should've made it...damn the "individual achievement" sentiment. No one of these guys is as good alone as when he's surrounded by the other 4, so if you're going to name 1, you gotta name all 5. You could almost use 1 roster spot for all 5...
posted by MeatSaber at 09:36 AM on February 10, 2006
Much respect to Paul Pierce but he should be out and Arenas should be in.
posted by vbgjr88 at 10:49 AM on February 10, 2006
Arenas is a deadly shooter. I'd rather have Paul Pierce and his all-around game.
posted by yerfatma at 10:52 AM on February 10, 2006
Interesting that where there was some question or debate ahead of time with borderline players, they primarily went the international route: Gasol, Parker, Bosh (playing in Canadian market)... Remember that as much as anything, this game is an exposure vehicle for the NBA in international markets.
posted by smithers at 11:20 AM on February 10, 2006
I think the allstar game is about who is having a better year not who you would take for your team. Paul Pierce is the man but Arenas is having a much better year and so is his team. As a matter of fact, Arenas hit the shot that beat Boston.
posted by vbgjr88 at 11:29 AM on February 10, 2006
To avoid players being snubbed, the NBA should expand the roster to 15 players. Problem fixed!
posted by pepitothechihuahua at 11:31 AM on February 10, 2006
expand the roster to 15 players Then number 16 gets snubbed.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 12:09 PM on February 10, 2006
As a matter of fact, Arenas hit the shot that beat Boston. Didn't he do it twice this year?
posted by yerfatma at 12:19 PM on February 10, 2006
Arenas has been named as Jermaine O'Neal's replacement. Now, the question is, who starts? Flip Saunders has the discretion, and he's said that he would rather put all the Pistons in at once, off the bench. So...Bosh, Pierce, Arenas, or Vinsanity?
posted by MeatSaber at 12:59 PM on February 10, 2006
I would think that they would start the next highest voted forward. Just my guess. I definately agree about Josh Howard, no, he shouldn't be on the team, but he wasn't even on the ballot. The kid is very important to the second best team in the league. I'd like to see him there within the next couple years. The only player that may not deserve it this year, I would say, is Ray Allen. Tough call, but he isn't having the season from a year ago. But, he is the best shot in the NBA.
posted by Snikastyle at 01:12 PM on February 10, 2006
Ray Allen is my favorite player in the league and I am a Warriors fan. However, I think C. Paul should be there instead. His team is winning and he is the major reason.
posted by vbgjr88 at 01:36 PM on February 10, 2006
Z not getting picked IS A SNUB! F Shaq.. Hey look at me... I'm Shaq.. only reason Im good is because im huge.. He missed the first quarter of the season.. Ben Wallace is a good defender, but no offensive threat Z is overlooked. He doesnt have to score 20+ a night cuz of Bron, but the guy can. He is an excellent offensive player for a 7 footer, and a decent defender. Easily the 2nd or 3rd best C in the East BY FAR
posted by phaded at 02:52 PM on February 10, 2006
Don't hate Shaq because he's big. He is the most dominant presence in the nba. Ben Wallace is the glue that holds that team together. Z is good but not better than either of these two monsters. Z is a role player.
posted by vbgjr88 at 03:04 PM on February 10, 2006
Z is better than Wallace All wallace is asked to do is patrol the paint and block shots/rebound if thats all Z was asked to do, he'd put up numbers in the same vicinity.. Wallace is garbage on offense.. don't tell me wallace is better and that Z is a role player.. A role player is Damon Jones.. Z deserves that spot.. OH yea... Z is the only center to D up shaq aND not have shaq go bananas Shaq cant shoot.. he just throws up hooks and dunks.. he is good cuz he is 300+ lbs... if shaq was 250, or 225 he'd be soft as shit
posted by phaded at 04:25 PM on February 10, 2006
I couldn't have said it better vbgjr88. Phaded you have a point about Z being a good player, but he'll have to get a little better, then be that good for about 12 years to even be in the same sentence as Shaq. His time will come, but don't try to force it because then you make it seem as if you're saying Z is better than Shaq. And we all know that just isn't true. If Allen Iverson was atleast 6'6 he would slap them both in the face and take their lunch money. If in one hand and take a dump in the other, and then tell me which one fills up first.
posted by BlogZilla at 04:28 PM on February 10, 2006
The thing that I hate most about the All-Star game is the fact that the fans choose the starters. I mean Shaq, what the fuck? He has missed a big chunk of the season and is definitely not the best center in the Eastern Conference. The All-Star balloting is all a popularity contest since most fans are uneducated dumbasses who vote for their favorite players, not the best (residents of China, I'm looking at you). I understand that without fan voting it wouldn't be a quality All-Star game, but why can't they just vote for who is in it, and then the coaches choose the starters. (However, I am pumped to see Billups (the number one snubbed non-starter) in the 3-point contest and the human/demon Warrick in the Slam Dunk Competion.)
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:30 PM on February 10, 2006
i know he's a rookie, but no chris paul? that's a shame.