So the NBA All-Star Starters were announced last night and to no one's surprise, the world got it wrong. The only guy undeserving in the Eastern Conference is Carmelo Anthony by an overwhelming margin. He's been nothing short of terrible this season on both ends of the court. The other 4 are fine. For the West, it's a bit trickier. I probably wouldn't have had Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, or Andrew Bynum as starters. Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and probably either Kyle Lowry or Danilo Gallinari are more statistically deserving. But it's a popularity contest and unless you want the Black Mamba dancing all over your face with knives, he's gonna start until he retires.
And now it's time to discuss the backups. The coaches get to pick 7 reserves on each side, so there's plenty of wiggle room for a Sixer to nudge in there. Boasting one of the best records in the league and a number of young talents, could this be the year the Sixers finally have their first All-Star since Allen Iverson? Who's it gonna be?
He should be a perennial All-Star by now but there aren't enough publicly-accepted defensive stats out there so much of his work goes unnoticed and disregarded by everyone. That Melo could be in over him because of offense is pretty absurd when A) Andre is a more efficient offensive player than Melo now and always, and B) Andre is worlds better on defense than Melo is. From Ziller:
According to 82games.com, opposing small forwards are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 36.6 percent against Iguodala. That's ridiculous! If Carmelo Anthony is an All-Star -- he was voted a starter -- than there should be no problem with Iguodala being an All-Star. They just happen to thrive at opposite ends of the floor.
Points matter, yes, but they don't matter more than rebounds+assists+defense+efficiency+ball-handling+selflessness. Iguodala is the better player and, with his best season so far, it's far past time to get him into this game. At the very least, that would make up for the travesty of a dunk contest between he and Nate "49th Try" Robinson. Still pissed. - 85%
There's no question that Jrue's a stud. But he hasn't had a very good season thus far, taking a big step back in his ability to create for his teammates. A lot of that is due in part to Evan Turner and Louis Williams handling the ball more (and turning it over less), and his turnover rate is down as well. For his future development, I'd rather Jrue not play off the ball so much, but there's no question that his insanely good three point shooting (over 40%!) is what's allowed Collins to move him over. This year isn't his All-Star year, even though his defense has been more consistent the first two years. - 5%
Oh, if Spencer's achilles wasn't acting up. He was absolutely unrecognizable in his first 12 games before going down with injury, but it's likely that the coaches haven't seen quite enough of him to send him to the ASG. Especially with that nagging injury, it might not even be best for him to rush it. With Greg Monroe and Chris Bosh veritable locks to get in, the East shouldn't have a problem with depth behind his Ying-Yanging brother, Dwight Howard AKA Black Spencer. - 8%
I suppose Lou probably has a shot in the dark of getting in but at a 41% shooting clip (despite a respectable 53.8 TS% boosted by free throw numbers) combined with his role on the Night Shift means he's unlikely to garner enough steam to oust Brandon Jennings or Joe Johnson. Elton Brand is a role player nowadays and has seen his last All-Star rodeo. Frozone is a lock for the cheerleading squad.
Here's my picks for the EC reserves:
Guard - Kyrie Irving - love seeing fresh blood in there this early.
Guard - Deron Williams - he hasn't been great, but they won't leave D-Will off.
Guard - Rajon Rondo - whether or not he plays.... but he'll be brought in regardless.
Guard - Joe Jonson - They won't be able to help themselves.
Forward - Andre Iguodala - Hi H8rs.
Forward - Chris Bosh - Lagging slightly behind his Big Three buddies.
Center - Greg Monroe - Didn't think his game would translate but he's been allowed to be the man in Detroit, which has hurt his overall effectiveness but given him the confidence to play at this level. Would love to see him on a good team.
What do you guys think?
0 recs | 40 comments
Iguodala better make it.
Imma hurt someone if he don’t.
Naismithball - February 3, 2012
Iggy better make it.
I’m tired of people claiming that players from Luol Deng and downwards are better than him, I’m tired of hearing even Sixers fans declare he’s not an allstar, tired of players like Melo being better regarded. Imagine how much better the Knicks would be if they had traded for iguodala instead of Melo?
Dan Pearson - February 3, 2012
Iggy to the knick!?!?! Why would you speak of this?!
J.P.Melle - February 3, 2012
I’m not saying I want to trade Iggy to the Knicks (have you seen my posts here? I love Iggy), I’m saying Iggy would have been the smarter trade for the Knicks (from the perspective of the Knicks).
Dan Pearson - February 3, 2012
And I’m not saying I thought you were saying trade Iggy to the Knicks. I’m saying why would you think of something so awful? In that it made me feel bad to think about it.
J.P.Melle - February 3, 2012
ah, that makes sense. I have an overactive imagination is all.
Dan Pearson - February 3, 2012
If you love him, you should probably stop calling him “Iggy”.
Michael Levin - February 3, 2012
If you get him on record saying he’s against it, I’ll never type or say Iggy again. Till then I love Iggy.
J.P.Melle - February 4, 2012
My picks...
very anit-conventional wisdom, but here goes:
Guard – Ricky Rubio – if you haven’t seen him play yet, you really should.
Guard – Jose Calderon – ridiculous assit/TO ratio but nobody knows because TOR sucks
Guard – Ray Allen – only one of the big 3 that is holding up his end of the bargain
Guard – Landry Fields – Just all around quality player
Forward – Andre Iguodala – see above
Forward – Ryan Anderson – sick shooter, takes care of the ball, and surprisingly above average rebounder
Center – Tyson Chandler – Unreal efficient scoring with 2.35 pts per shot, beast rebounder, and solid everywhere else
BrandonB - February 3, 2012
Is this a joke?
clintdelicious22 - February 3, 2012
this guy serious?
pman8 - February 3, 2012
Conferences tend to make Rubio on the East extremely “anti-conventional”.
Other than that, Calderon/Allen/Fields/Chandler is just wrong. I’d actually be noddingly bemused at Anderson getting in, but he won’t.
Michael Levin - February 3, 2012
Oops. Yeah scratch Rubio and put in Jeff Teague.
This is my opinion who deserves it not who I think the coaches will select. Of course none of these guys will be selected but that doesn’t mean they aren’t very productive players at their respective positions.
If you take a closer look at Calderon/Allen/Fields/Chandler peripherals you’ll see they are pretty impressive. And I’m not looking at PER. I believe PER is a flawed stat as a player can shoot inefficiently and increase his PER simply by taking more shots. I’m a firm believer in Dave Berri’s Wins Produced model as it corrects against this.
BrandonB - February 3, 2012
Hibbert
deserves to be in over the likes of Monroe because of the Pacers’ success
clintdelicious22 - February 3, 2012
I don’t really agree with the idea that because a team is good, one guy should get in over the other. I think Monroe’s easily the better player, regardless of how bad the Pistons are – which is decidedly not his fault. The Knicks being bad is pretty much all on Carmelo. The Pistons suffering can’t be blamed on Greg.
Michael Levin - February 3, 2012
I hear what you’re saying, but Hibbert has been good and consistent. If he was on the Pistons as their only option, his numbers would be just as good. One can easily make the same argument that Iguodala shouldn’t be in compared to other guys with higher scoring numbers.
Being the best player on a very good team does, and should matter I think. Though I do love Monroe too.
clintdelicious22 - February 3, 2012
I’d put Jennings in over Irving…. other than that I have the same as you
pman8 - February 3, 2012
Easy one:
Iggy / Bosh / DWillams / Irving / Monroe / Pierce / JSmith
But I feel really bad not naming a Pacer.
andyreidswaistline - February 3, 2012 via mobile
Hibbert's been better than Monroe
phillyhoosfan - February 3, 2012
TNT
(Caveat for what it’s worth)
Anyone watch the TNT guys last night? They were falling over each other to suck the Sixers salami. Iggy was on everyone’s list (Shaq, Dr. C. Webb, Ernie, Anderson, Chuck). Everyone but Chuck I think had 2 Sixers! Most I think had Iggy and Boss. I think C-Webb had Iggy and Jrue. Bottom line, they said 2 Sixers should make it based on record etc. and they would be fine with either Boss or Jrue. Finally, tbj had some good discussion opening of yesterdays pod. Sounds like we’re starting to get a little pub.
dp - February 3, 2012
yea, ProBasketballtalk had Iggy and Jrue in there. I think Iggy makes it for sure this year. If he doesn’t Doug Collins should verbally destroy the rest of the Eastern Conferences coaches the next day in his press conference.
Dan Pearson - February 3, 2012
If you had to choose one other Sixer besides Iggy, you could argue M33ks is having a better year than Jrue or Lou. Of course he won’t make it, but I’d love to see him in the 3 contest.
BrandonB - February 3, 2012
What.
philsandthrills - February 3, 2012 via mobile
43% from 3? More pts per shot then Jrue and Lou? Less Turnovers? His only role is to hit 3s and not turn the ball over and he seems to be really good at doing that.
BrandonB - February 3, 2012
How about Kyle Korver then?
Nominate Meeks for the 3pt contest…not the All-Star Game.
Vince1129 - February 3, 2012
It’s his limited role that makes him not an All-Star. It’s not the best role player game. If he had the responsibilities of Jrue or Lou he wouldn’t be nearly as efficient. He understands and sticks to his role, which to me is what makes him valuable, but not an All-Star.
J.P.Melle - February 3, 2012
Well stated.
BrandonB - February 3, 2012
But I would add that Lou and Jrue play a different position then Meeks most of the time (PG). You might be able to argue that Meeks is playing better relative to other 2 guards then Jrue/Lou is to other 1s.
BrandonB - February 3, 2012
I’d say he’s playing better in his role than Jrue is in his, but Jrue’s role is more difficult. And Lou isn’t really a point guard, he’s a scoring guard in the mold of Jason Terry or Jamal Crawford, and he’s been a pretty darn good one this year. I wasn’t a Lou fan until this season but he’s won me over.
J.P.Melle - February 3, 2012
No, you wouldn’t be able to.
philsandthrills - February 3, 2012
I couldn’t argue that.
nyunole - February 3, 2012
Because of our record the Sixers should have two players on, and they are Iguodala and Lou Williams. Andre for his all-arond play, and Lou for his BOSS quality which some of you loath, and fail to respect. Lou is a baller and he wants to take and make those shots. You need players like that when everyone gets tight and gets scared of making a mistake. The ones with the balls to put it on the line in front of everyone is what makes a player a winner.
Both players have that quality and deserve it, even though their numbers are lower. They are part of a winning team and that means sacrificing some for the good of the whole.
RickoT - February 3, 2012
Bill Simmons would call Boss an “irrational confidence guy”. While Boss does frustrate me from time to time, you need one of those guys on your team. Right now, Boss is probably the best thing we have to bailing out a stagnant 1/2 court offense b/c he can create his own shot. Jrue and ET have the ability to but need to grow into that a little more/be more consistent. I think Thad can be that guy in certain situations down low depending on the match up. Thad’s moving right across the paint with the lefty push/hook is pretty reliable.
dp - February 3, 2012
Defense in an All-Star game
Iggy hasn’t made it because (unlike the NFL Pro Bowl selections), talent is irrelevant, they select guys who will put on a good show. This is why it will be hard to see efficient non-flashy stat guys like Monroe, Hibbert, or Joe Johnson make it consistently.
Also, nobody plays defense in an all-star game, except for the occasional Mutombo style NBA Jam swat. This disqualifies Iguodala.
HOWEVER – Iguodala, especially when he was a bit younger, could really throw down some hellacious dunks. He still can at times, which makes him perfectly suited for an All-Star appearance where flash is rewarded over skill. As much I illogically dislike Iguodala personally (I was at the Bulls game in-person and one of the people booing his free throw attempts), it’s time to let him in.
Personally, I’d rather see him make the All-Defensive 1st Team, though…
PhillyWarrior - February 3, 2012
you booed iggy?
A**hole
He is, at this point one of the top 5 SFs in the NBA? besides LeBron, Durant, and I guess Melo (playing like shit this year) what SF do you want more than iggy? Paul Pierce? Rudy Gay? Danny Granger? Gallo? Luol Deng?
Dan Pearson - February 3, 2012
Explain yourself.
Please.
J.P.Melle - February 3, 2012
In terms of booing Iggy.
J.P.Melle - February 3, 2012
Joe Johnson is a 5-time All-Star.
yosoysean - February 3, 2012
I concur, and also, Joe Johnson? Really?
DCgreenlantern - February 3, 2012
Yesterday I thought we would get one or none, now after reading everyone’s all star reserves I won’t be surprised if we get two
KJ Brophy - February 3, 2012
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