Last week I made my decisions for who deserves to be on the all star team for the western conference and now I will choose my eastern conference reserves a day before they are all announced. The eastern starting lineup consists of young Kyrie Irving, Dwyane Wade, Paul George, Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony. While it will be interesting to see who plays the center position (Lebron?), it will be more interesting to see who the coaches choose to fill out the bench. There are seven available positions on the bench and these are my choices for who should be there....
PF/C Chris Bosh- While Bosh is not having his best year by the numbers, he is playing a large role for the Heat. Since Wade has missed some games, Bosh has stepped into the Lebron's second man position and has helped the Heat stay towards the top of the east.
C Roy Hibbert- The Pacers are the best team in the NBA and Hibbert is a big reason why. His blocking and rebounding give the Pacers a great inside presence and his ability to score as well makes him one of the best big men in the entire league.
PF Paul Millsap- The Hawks have been in the third seed in the east most of the year and the best player on their team has been Millsap. The new Hawk continues to score and rebound at all star levels even without Al Horford on the court. Millsap is no doubt having an all star season.
C Al Jefferson- I know the bench is looking pretty big, but it evens out with the starting lineup. The Bobcats are in the playoff hunt in the east and their best player by far has been Jefferson. He is almost carrying that team on his back especially now that Kemba Walker is injured.
PG Kyle Lowry- He is averaging 16 1/2 points and 7 1/2 assists a night and leading the Raptors to a high playoff seed. He deserves it over his teammate Demar Derozan, but just barely. Lowry is having the best season of his career and it will be interesting to see whether or not the Raptors keep him.
PG John Wall- He is also having the best season of his young career so far leading his team in points and assists. Wall is leading the Wizards to a playoff seed and is showing his dominance as an all star point guard.
C Joakim Noah- I give the final spot to Noah over Aaron Afflalo and Joe Johnson. Noah is the anchor of a great defensive Bulls team that is somehow in the playoff race despite losing Derrick Rose once again for the season.
Well those are my picks for the bench on the eastern conference all star team, tomorrow night we will see how many of my picks actually make it.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Who Deserves the Rest of the All-Star Spots
A couple of days ago, the results of fans choices for the NBA all star starters came out. While the fans did not do a great job of picking the starters, I will do my best and try and pick the remainder of the positions left to fill on the teams.
The west starters are Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant.
While four of those guys are legitimate starters, Kobe has only played in six games this season and it is saddening to see him being voted in as a starter over a bunch of guys who legitimately deserved it. However, here are my picks to fill out the rest of the west's roster.
G James Harden-Harden is putting up all star numbers again this year and is the go to guy on an impressive Rockets team. There is no doubt he will end up on the all star team.
C Dwight Howard- Another star on the Rockets, Howard is not putting up quite the numbers most people think he is capable of, but no doubt an all star and one of the last true centers in the NBA (Deandre Jordan, Tyson Chandler being a couple others).
F Lamarcus Aldridge- Many people are upset he is not a starter on this team. He is putting up great numbers and is the leader of a Trail Blazers team beating expectations. They already have more wins this year than all of last year and his scoring and rebounding is a key reason.
G Damian Lillard- Another Trail Blazer, Lillard is running the point and helping lead the team. No doubt he will be on the roster after Kobe even have his approval and said Lillard should take his place on the team.
F Dirk Nowitzki- Dallas looks like they are going to make the playoffs this year and as always Dirk is the primary guy on the team. Coaches will vote for him because he is a respected veteran and is having another good season.
G Tony Parker- Parker, along with Tim Duncan and the rest of the gang are continuing their annual surprise. The Spurs are near the top of the conference yet again and Parker is leading them as their main guy.
FC Anthony Davis- The last spot was hard to decide on, but I would give it to Anthony Davis over Demarcus Cousins and Ty Lawson. Davis is averaging 20 and 10 on a Pelicans team that could be in the playoffs if it were not for injury problems. Also the all star game is in New Orleans and there is almost always a hometown player in the game so give it to Davis.
That is all twelve spots, but Kobe Bryant has already stated he will not be playing in the game considering he is still injured. Therefore, the commissioner will get to decide who replaces Bryant in the game. I feel there is only one person who deserves that spot and that is. . .
G Chris Paul- While it may be out of bias, Chris Paul deserves this spot. After all, if it was not for Bryant he would have been voted in as a starter. Also, he is the best player on a great Clippers team and while he has missed the last few weeks due to an injury he still leads the league in assists and is the best point guard in the league. If he is playing again before all star weekend, he deserves to be the final piece of the west all stars.
(For my eastern all star picks, check back soon)
The west starters are Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant.
While four of those guys are legitimate starters, Kobe has only played in six games this season and it is saddening to see him being voted in as a starter over a bunch of guys who legitimately deserved it. However, here are my picks to fill out the rest of the west's roster.
G James Harden-Harden is putting up all star numbers again this year and is the go to guy on an impressive Rockets team. There is no doubt he will end up on the all star team.
C Dwight Howard- Another star on the Rockets, Howard is not putting up quite the numbers most people think he is capable of, but no doubt an all star and one of the last true centers in the NBA (Deandre Jordan, Tyson Chandler being a couple others).
F Lamarcus Aldridge- Many people are upset he is not a starter on this team. He is putting up great numbers and is the leader of a Trail Blazers team beating expectations. They already have more wins this year than all of last year and his scoring and rebounding is a key reason.
G Damian Lillard- Another Trail Blazer, Lillard is running the point and helping lead the team. No doubt he will be on the roster after Kobe even have his approval and said Lillard should take his place on the team.
F Dirk Nowitzki- Dallas looks like they are going to make the playoffs this year and as always Dirk is the primary guy on the team. Coaches will vote for him because he is a respected veteran and is having another good season.
G Tony Parker- Parker, along with Tim Duncan and the rest of the gang are continuing their annual surprise. The Spurs are near the top of the conference yet again and Parker is leading them as their main guy.
FC Anthony Davis- The last spot was hard to decide on, but I would give it to Anthony Davis over Demarcus Cousins and Ty Lawson. Davis is averaging 20 and 10 on a Pelicans team that could be in the playoffs if it were not for injury problems. Also the all star game is in New Orleans and there is almost always a hometown player in the game so give it to Davis.
That is all twelve spots, but Kobe Bryant has already stated he will not be playing in the game considering he is still injured. Therefore, the commissioner will get to decide who replaces Bryant in the game. I feel there is only one person who deserves that spot and that is. . .
G Chris Paul- While it may be out of bias, Chris Paul deserves this spot. After all, if it was not for Bryant he would have been voted in as a starter. Also, he is the best player on a great Clippers team and while he has missed the last few weeks due to an injury he still leads the league in assists and is the best point guard in the league. If he is playing again before all star weekend, he deserves to be the final piece of the west all stars.
(For my eastern all star picks, check back soon)
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