Rondo Tore his ACL

Another big man... Yay

Considering the West's bench, it's not a bad move. He's also worthy of the nod.

Considering the West's bench, it's not a bad move. He's also worthy of the nod.

Assuming Irving starts the game, the bench 5 consists of Jrue Holiday (PG), Paul George (SF/SG), Luol Deng (SF), Chris Bosh (PF/C), Joakim Noah (C) & Brook Lopez-Tyson Chandler as reserves. A PG or SG was needed imo...

Why? And who?

My thoughts exactly.

Lopez surely deserved but the lineup doesn't reflect the symmetry of a well-made roster.

Why? Because the only true SG is DWade. The only reason I see for including so many tall guys at the bench is that Melo isn't a true PF and Lebron & DWade can man the point so there's no big need for guards.

Who? That's a very good question. Big time lack of stars. Ellis, Johnson, Jennings or D-Will could replace him. None of them has a better year than Lopez (or even an All-Star year), though. Lopez really deserved it. It's Bosh or Chandler who don't really deserve it...

But why do you need a "true" SG or PF? Why do you need a "well-made roster"?

It's an exhibition game where nobody (but a first-timer bench guy usually) plays seriously on either end for at minimum the first 40 minutes. At which point either they all play half seriously because it's close or it descends into a rookie challenge if there's a blowout.

And as you pointed out LeBron especially and Wade can handle the ball and if it's close those two and Melo are in three of the slots on the court no matter what.

I think we can all agree though that if Lopez wasn't playing so well it would probably be Deron Williams picked here because there HAS to be a Net on the roster. And I'm sure Stern was happy he got to pick a replacement player. (Even if not for this reason.)

But why do you need a "true" SG or PF? Why do you need a "well-made roster"?

The All-Star Game is held so that the more talented players can demonstrate their abilities without the creative limitations laid on them by official games. Guards and SFs are more likely to produce highlights and big performances than the tall guys (in this decade). Chandler can make some Oop if he gets a good lob and the other three can throw a facial on rare occasions. Even their numbers are not nearly as impessive as those of past All-Star centers. So instead of including more of them I believe there should be less of them in this game.

I agree with everything else you said.

The All-Star Game is held so that the more talented players can demonstrate their abilities without the creative limitations laid on them by official games. Guards and SFs are more likely to produce highlights and big performances than the tall guys

lol no, if that's the case then those limitations should have been removed by Stern by making violations legal like goaltending, traveling, etc. to make the game more exciting and produce more highlights like streetball.

The All-Star Game is held so that the more talented players can demonstrate their abilities without the creative limitations laid on them by official games. Guards and SFs are more likely to produce highlights and big performances than the tall guys

lol no, if that's the case then those limitations should have been removed by Stern by making violations legal like goaltending, traveling, etc. to make the game more exciting and produce more highlights like streetball.

By limitations I meant the stress, the necessity of the win and the excessive playing time each of the all-stars is getting in his respective team. If All-Star game isn't a commercial event that aims to put the most lethal and spectacular players in the league in the same court without the burdens of their contracts then what is it?

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/i ... ck-surgery

And there goes Sully too...

Ouch. 8th seed up for grabs? C'mon Calderon, make a proper team out of Detroit!

and maybe the rest of the team....
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... ade-Offers

"We are open and listening, but we don't feel pressure to do anything," said Ainge. "Whether we win every game or whether we struggle, I think it all depends on what opportunities are presented. We want to make some change to help improve our team."

Ainge said he has not received any offers for Paul Pierce, who has one year remaining on his contract and a $4 million buyout after this season.

"Nothing has been talked about with Paul," said Ainge. "Nothing is close to being done. I too would like to see Paul retire as a Celtic.That would be great. We're all attached to Paul. He's been great for the city, the franchise, and he's been a true pro. Having said that, if something came up I would talk to Paul. My job is to do what's in the best interest of our team, regardless of my personal ties or my personal feelings with the players."

By limitations I meant the stress, the necessity of the win and the excessive playing time each of the all-stars is getting in his respective team. If All-Star game isn't a commercial event that aims to put the most lethal and spectacular players in the league in the same court without the burdens of their contracts then what is it?

They're professional athletes whose competitive nature brought them to that level or the NBA (or most of them are unlike some who just coasted on raw talent). They want to win even if it's an exhibition game or a game of cards.

lol if anything those players in the ASG want more playing time. That's why the coaches manage minutes of the players as not to piss them off if they give too little playing time.

lol burdens of their contracts. Players get bonuses for being in the ASG, how's that for 'burden' of their contract.
The ASG is for the fans. That's why there's fan voting. If they want to have two SG in the backcourt and three SF in the frontcourt then that's it. Coaches get to decide the bench based on who gave them trouble playing against with or who 'deserves' it according to them. Stern gets to decide on the replacements based on team representation or his whims.. None of that symmetry of a well-made roster stuff.

By limitations I meant the stress, the necessity of the win and the excessive playing time each of the all-stars is getting in his respective team. If All-Star game isn't a commercial event that aims to put the most lethal and spectacular players in the league in the same court without the burdens of their contracts then what is it?

They're professional athletes whose competitive nature brought them to that level or the NBA (or most of them are unlike some who just coasted on raw talent). They want to win even if it's an exhibition game or a game of cards.

A player can perform freely and be more creative without consequences in the ASG. They surely want to win. But they don't have to. Nobody is going to critize LeBron or anyone for going for an off the board alley-oop to himself instead of choosing the easy and secure basket. But he can't do that in a regular game, they'll gonna chop his head off...

lol if anything those players in the ASG want more playing time. That's why the coaches manage minutes of the players as not to piss them off if they give too little playing time.

They may want more time but none of them will play the huge amount of minutes they play on their teams so they gonna be fresher.

lol burdens of their contracts. Players get bonuses for being in the ASG, how's that for 'burden' of their contract.

A contract is a burden because you have to honor it. You got to justify your salary. So you are forbidden from doing anything stupid outside of the game plan.

The ASG is for the fans. That's why there's fan voting. If they want to have two SG in the backcourt and three SF in the frontcourt then that's it. Coaches get to decide the bench based on who gave them trouble playing against with or who 'deserves' it according to them. Stern gets to decide on the replacements based on team representation or his whims.. None of that symmetry of a well-made roster stuff.

I am aware of all that.

If you're aware of it then that answers your question.

If All-Star game isn't a commercial event that aims to put the most lethal and spectacular players in the league in the same court without the burdens of their contracts then what is it?

And I still see it as what I described earlier. I really cannot see your point.

I still see it as what I described earlier

That the teams in the ASG should have the symmetry of a well-made roster?

Sources tell Sporting News that the #Clippers have contacted the #Celtics about Kevin Garnett. Offer would include Caron Butler and Beldsoe.

Better KG than Paul......yeh?

KG can still go, but I'm not sure about that deal for the Clippers. Seems they could use Bledsoe with Paul injured and Butler's a better fit alongside Griffin and Jordan up front. For the Celtics, Bledsoe would be a good addition in the wake of Rondo's injury, but they'd probably be better off with Garnett than having Butler out there with Pierce.

there goes Barbosa......ACL, season.
http://redsarmy.com/2013/02/12/what-bar ... or-the-cs/

First line of that article says it all. Incredibly unlucky.