The All Star rosters were announced last night and they mostly look good. You can make solid arguments for almost everyone who made the All Star team this year. But like everyone else, we have some differences of opinion. So the CC group huddled together in our secret underground bunker (built during the lockout, since we thought the apocalypse was coming. Now we have to use it to justify the business expense) and came up with who should have made the team.
The actual team: Roy Hibbert (Ind), Luol Deng (Chi), Paul Pierce (Bos), Chris Bosh (Mia), Deron Williams (NJ), Andre Iguodala (Phi), and Joe Johnson (Atl).
Our teams:
Jeff Garcia: Joe Johnson, Andre Igoudala, Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Paul Pierce, Luol Deng, Greg Monroe
Iggy’s play is why the 76ers are playing so well when many wrote them off heading into this season. No Horford? No problem. Johnson upped his play last month and the Hawks have been winning. Since Dwayne Wade went down, Bosh stepped up for Miami. Pierce is the huge reason the Celtics have had a resurgence and deserves a spot on the East bench. Like his teammate Joe Johnson, Smith as well has upped his game of late without Horford and is a presence on both ends of the court for the Hawks which has kept them in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference.
Trevor Zickgraf: Chris Bosh, Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, Paul Pierce, Deron Williams, Greg Monroe, Kyrie Irving
Bosh is the second best forward in the East, he should be starting and was gigantic during Dwyane Wade’s absence early this season. Iguadola is a defensive force, Philadelphia’s catalyst and watching him catch alley-oops from guys like Derrick Rose and LeBron James would be a lot of fun. Same with Josh Smith. Paul Pierce has been terrific since returning from injury. Let’s remember that when Pierce returned Boston went on a nice run and did it without Rajon Rondo for the most part. The Celts may be on the decline, but Pierce’s game is still humming. Deron Williams’ problem is he’s asked to do too much right now. He’s been a bit turnover prone, but is still the 2nd or 3rd best point guard in the East and as we know, great point guards make All-Star games much more fun. Detroit stinks, but Greg Monroe’s one of four guys in the east averaging at least ten points and ten rebounds a game (Dwight Howard, Anderson Varejao and Kris Humphries being the other three). Simply put, Monroe is the best young big in the Eastern Conference. Rookies don’t make All-Star teams, but Kyrie Irving should be there. Did you know Cleveland is a game and a half out of a playoff spot? For a guy at 19 who has now played more pro games than he has college games, Irving’s 18 points and five assists per game has been incredible. He also has a shot at shooting 50-40-90 (field goal, three point, free throw percentage), which for a rookie would be an incredible accomplishment.
Surya Fernandez: Chris Bosh, Andre Iguodala, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Roy Hibbert, Kyrie Irving, Paul Pierce
Chris Bosh deserves to be starting instead of Carmelo Anthony but getting his customary reserve All-Star spot will be a nice consolation prize. Bosh was solid in Wade’s absence but he’s also been consistent all season (well except for the last few games). Averaging more than 19 points on a team as the third option behind LeBron and Wade is quite the accomplishment as well. Andre Iguodala has been solid on both ends of the floor playing a major role for the league’s most surprising team. No one had the Sixers being this good this season and there’s no sign yet that it was an early fluke. Bottom line, they deserve to have a representative in the game. Deron Williams hasn’t been spectacular this season but let’s just say his teammates haven’t been either and we’ll leave it at that. He’s still one of the best point guards in the league and it would be fun to see him collaborate with Dwight Howard for some alley-oops. Could it be a sneak preview? Atlanta has been solid this season and just like the Sixers, deserve one of their own in the game, so Johnson is in. With Al Horford out due to injury, I’ll vote for Hibbert over Greg Monroe because the Pacers have been much more than just their usual decent selves this season and the Pistons are, well, the Pistons. Rookies don’t usually play All-Star games but then again, most rookies aren’t doing what Kyrie Irving is doing for a team that stunk last year. He’s led them to the cusp of a playoff berth and that deserves respect, no matter how many years he’s been in the league. The Celtics were horrible to start the season in his absence and thankfully Paul Pierce came back from injury and quickly righted the ship. The Celtics had way too many All-Stars last year but they can’t have none this year either.
Phil Rossman-Reich: Andre Iguodala, Brandon Jennings, Roy Hibbert, Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Anderson Varejao, Joe Johnson
Kyle Boenitz: Deron Williams, Andre Iguodala, Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Roy Hibbert, Paul Pierce, Brandon Jennings
John Karalis: Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday, Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Kyrie Irving
I’m going to give the 76’ers a little more respect for what they’ve done by putting two of their guys in there. I’m not arguing that he’s better necessarily than Deron Williams, but I’m going to give Holiday the nod because of what Philly has been doing overall. Same with the Pacers, who get Granger in instead of Paul Pierce, who is certainly worthy of the nod, and Hibbert in over Greg Monroe. Sorry Greg, thems the breaks. Bosh has played extremely well, especially when Wade was out. Sorry, Hawks fans, I can’t get two players in for every decent team out there, so you only get Smith. And in the end, I wanted to recognize a player who is doing special things on the floor, regardless of his experience or team record. So Irving gets my last spot. I think it will be the first of very many for him, and he deserves the special honor of getting in as a rookie.
Actual Team: LaMarcus Aldridge (Por), Marc Gasol (Mem), Kevin Love (Min), Steve Nash (Pho), Dirk Nowitzki (Dal), Tony Parker (SA), and Russell Westbrook (OKC).
Our Teams:
Surya: Kevin Love, Tim Duncan, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Marc Gasol, Tony Parker, LaMarcus Aldridge
Kevin Love is no-brainer. All that yoga in the offseason has paid off because he’s in great shape and is doing his thing night in and night out. Players like him should always be celebrated and he fully deserves the nod. Tim Duncan is similar to Steve Nash where you just have to give him at least one more nod in the twilight of his career. Besides, it’s not like his stats or the Spurs record aren’t too shabby. He’s not going to do anything flashy or even try too hard in the game but he still belongs among the NBA’s finest, just one more time. Russell Westbrook is another no-brainer. How can you NOT place him in the All-Star game? He’s fully deserving of that fat new contract and the right to join teammate Kevin Durant as the best of the West. It’s tempting to want to put Rubio in the All-Star game because his flashy game would be so much fun to watch along with other elite players but he’ll have plenty of future opportunities in his blossoming career. For now, let’s cherish the remaining years of the incomparable Steve Nash and let him display all his trademark moves on a good team, even it’s just for one night. Memphis won’t go far without Zach Randolph but Marc Gasol is their rock and one of the few “classic” big men left in the game. He may not make any highlight reels on Sportscenter but his averages of 15 points and 10 rebounds have more substance. Tony Parker’s been playing very well lately and has picked up his scoring in the absence of Manu Ginobili. Scoring 37 against the Sixers and 42 points on the Thunder in leading the team to victories was, uh, pretty impressive. LaMarcus Aldridge is Portland’s most dynamic and important player and one of the best power forwards in the game. He’s also one of the league’s most unique players and will be good for a spectacular dunk or two getting fed from Paul or Nash.
Trevor: LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Tony Parker, Russel Westbrook, Steve Nash, Paul Millsap, Tim Duncan
I’m not afraid to say I think LaMarcus Aldridge is the best all-around power forward in the league. He should’ve been here last year, so I can’t see him not making the team this year. Kevin Love is a double-double machine whose offensive game has really improved this season. Another no-brainer. Tony Parker was an iffy selection a couple weeks ago, but the Spurs have won six in a row and eight of their last ten and Parker has been the number one reason for their recent success. Russell Westbrook is another easy one, second best player on the best team in the West and top 20 player in the league. I don’t know how the hell Steve Nash keeps doing what he’s doing. Just turned 38 and he’s still leading the league in assists. An All-Star game won’t be the same when Steve Nash isn’t a part of them. Paul Millsap was trade bait before the season started and he’s now 11th in the league in PER. He’s the best player on a Jazz team that has wildly over performed. He may get bumped for a better known name, but he deserves to be there. Tim Duncan was the toughest decision on my list. I’ve got him here as a back up center. It came down to Duncan or Marc Gasol. After a slow start, Duncan is averaging 16 points and 10 boards a game in his last ten games in only 29 minutes a game. I’m also just not at the point where I can imagine Tim Duncan not playing in an All-Star game.
Jeff: Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry
TP has been stepping up since Manu Ginobili’s injury (including a 42-point game against the West’s best Thunder) and has the Spurs rolling. Westbrook is such an easy pick and OKC wouldn’t be the best in the West without him. Marc Gasol is a steady force for the Grizz since Zach Randolph went down with an injury. Considering there aren’t many top-tier centers in the West, Marc tops his big brother in LA and will be backing up Bynum. Aldridge and Love are the heart and soul of their teams. LaMarcus been playing well and embracing the leadership role since Brandon Roy left the game and the numbers prove it. Love is a double-double machine and really, do I need to go on any further?
Phil: Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Nene, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis
Kyle: Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay, Ty Lawson
John: Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Love, Lamarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Paul Millsap
Parker earned his spot this past month, almost single-handedly lifting the Spurs to the second best record in the West. Westbrook is Westbrook, no justification needed there. There’s no way in hell I was going to leave the fourth-best team in the West un-represented, so Lowry is in. I know those selections leave Steve Nash out. That’s one of those decisions that can go either way. Love and Aldridge are starter worthy. Marc Gasol is a pretty underrated player who is doing a lot for Memphis since Zach Randolph’s injury. And Milsap gets in over the injured Danilo Gallinari, who is clearly missed by the Nuggets. If the Rooster was healthy, he’d be my choice.
