All-Star Reserves are out

[deihatein]

Calling Nash stat-padding is so wrong.

[hova-]

The ASG is about the best players out there. Some better stats here and there doesn't mean anything. If there is a guy who has proven himself and he is (especially in this shortened, strange season) not putting up his usual numbers, he shouldn't be snubbed.

I wasn't expecting Dirk to be on the team, still imho he is a way better player than Millsap but had a tough start to the season. Same for Pierce, although Rondo really could have made it, too.

Arguing about Nash is ridiculous. Look at the numbers, at the way he's been playing. A double-double? With assists? Shooting like .50/.40/.90 ? Team success could play a role for players that never had it (like Monta for example), but not for guys who have already proven they are winners.

[Dc311]

I love lamp.

[bowdown]

Calling Nash stat-padding is so wrong.

This. What disrespect.

[Cruzerr]

Bitch please, Nash is averaging 15 PPG and 10 APG, how does he not deserve it? Thats the stat opinion.

On the other hand, would you not like to see the biggest dime-dropper playing with Durant, Aldridge and most of all, Griffin? He will make it more fun.

The best pick still is LMA, he was getting snubbed too long, he finally got his

[shadowgrin]

Steve Nash can pad his stats all he wants in Phoenix.

I'm sorry but calling what Steve Nash has been producing for the last 8 years consistently year after year even when Phoenix was either a winning or losing team as stat padding now that they are currently a losing team is absolutely retarded.

[shabba_93]

Steve Nash can pad his stats all he wants in Phoenix, but getting into the All-Star game is supposed to be recognizing winners.

Being a Suns fan I have to strongly disagree with you here. I for one always thought the all-star game was just that, a game of stars, a game between the best players in the league, not a game of winners. Nash still is one of the best PG's in the league and considering how often he has to put a pretty useless bunch on his back, he deserves it. Calling it stat padding is a major discredit to him, he could contribute those kind of numbers playing on pretty much any other team in the league. If he wasn't so loyal to Pheonix he would be a "winner". Mario Chalmers is a winner, but would you suggest he play instead of Nash? I don't think so.

[Cleveland wins]

I know this may sound strange, but i'm glad Steve Nash made the allstar team. He leads the league in assists with 10 assists a game, and with the team he's playing for? Are you kidding me, no one around him except for Lopez, and he still averages 10 assists per game? He better make the allstar team.

I may be mistaken, but i don't know if Josh Smith really deserves it, though he plays at power forward, he could have been a nice 3rd string small forward for the east, especially with his defense. But all he has is defense.

[Lamrock]

Nash has excellent numbers whether you look at raw stats or metrics, and while Phoenix isn't great, they are near .500 despite Gortat being the only other decent player on the roster. He also just happens to be popular and still fun to watch. How does he not meet all-star criteria?

I actually think for the first time in years that Joe Johnson is the best player on the Hawks. Great bounce back season for him while Josh Smith continues to be a rich man's Tyrus Thomas. However, I'd almost rather see Josh make the all-star team as he's funner to watch (dunks!) and should have made it over Joe in 2010.

I'd say the criteria to make the all-star team is different from all-NBA team or awards (aside of the face that the sports media are arguably worse at picking than the coaches) and that it is worth putting in some players based on reputation or being on a winning team. I'm fine with team record being a factor in deciding the number of reps per team, as guys like Love last year and Nash this year can still make the team if they're good enough. Is Roy Hibbert a top 12 player in the East? Don't make me laugh. However, the Pacers have been one of the best teams, and the city and the team deserves that recognition since it doesn't really count anyway.

How Luol Deng made the team this season is an absolute mystery though.

[Andrew]

I'm glad to see Deng there, of course, but surprised. He had a stronger case last year so given the Bulls' strong start and the fact he is still an important player on the team, maybe it's kind of a make up selection. I didn't think he'd make the cut this year and while I'm glad he did, I'd concede you could argue for other players ahead of him.

I'm fine with Dirk and Nash being there. As already pointed out, they remain stars in the league and players most people want to see in games like this, so I think it's absolutely fine. There's always going to be snubs and I believe others will have their day. When it comes to stars who are on the way down but still relevant and performing fairly well, I'm all for sentimental selections.

[kibaxx7]

I also got 11 of 14 right

Now -- I see Detroit passing the 100-point mark (in regulation) for the first time this season... against the Nets. And Deron only scoring 14. Makes me think I was wrong picking him. Rondo, where are you?

[|)e8*]

Deron only played 28 mins to be fair... but still he shot pretty poorly. and the nets are turrible

[hova-]

When it comes to stars who are on the way down but still relevant and performing fairly well, I'm all for sentimental selections.

If it was for that, I'd say don't select them. But Nash and Dirk are still playing very well. Nash is putting up a double double with assists and shooting .54% from the field ... that's ridiculous.

Dirk was injured earlier and thus his stats aren't good, but he's putting up 25/8 hovering around .58% from the field in his last 4 games. He's going strong now and seems to be injury-free. If this is the case, he's still the best PF in the league due to his offensive repertoire (although Love claims he's the best PF)

[The X]

I can't really complain about the West reserves as given it's a shortened season, it's tough to make picks this early. Dirk didn't deserve to make it on his play to date, but I got no issues with it given what he did in last year's playoffs.

As for East reserves, I really don't think Deron or Joe Johnson should be ahead of Rondo. Here was me thinking Rondo was a lock & he's not considered as best Eastern guard behind Rose & Wade? Crazy. Pierce doesn't deserve to be in there over Josh Smith.

Outside of Rondo & Josh Smith not making it, I actually think this is the best job by coaches in a while. Usually they bomb & make a lot worse picks.

[Lamrock]

The reason Rondo didn't make it is because he's missed a third of the games, and Paul Pierce has actually been playing very well. Joe Johnson meanwhile is quietly having a somewhat resurgent season (though when their role players come down to Earth, they're getting smoked in the playoffs) while Josh Smith continues to be a poor offensive player.

Deng is the only pick I currently disagree with, but fuck it, it's the all-star game.

[Andrew]

When it comes to stars who are on the way down but still relevant and performing fairly well, I'm all for sentimental selections.

If it was for that, I'd say don't select them. But Nash and Dirk are still playing very well. Nash is putting up a double double with assists and shooting .54% from the field ... that's ridiculous.

Dirk was injured earlier and thus his stats aren't good, but he's putting up 25/8 hovering around .58% from the field in his last 4 games. He's going strong now and seems to be injury-free. If this is the case, he's still the best PF in the league due to his offensive repertoire (although Love claims he's the best PF)

That's why I said "still relevant and performing fairly well".

[rise]

There were a lot of snubs in my opinion. Deng's been solid, but Josh Smith deserved it over him. Also, Roy Hibbert totally robbed Tyson Chandler, who's probably having the best season of his career. Finally glad to see Iggy getting some love for his game. He's been deserving of an All-Star appearance since 2007. It's surprising to see him get it this year of all years, considering he's scoring much lower than in years past (only 12.9ppg) but his other numbers are LeBron-like. (yeah, I said it.)

I don't agree with the Dirk selection, although it's only fair since TD was elected as an All-Star last year for his history, which is the case with Dirk, although I have to say he's pretty hot as of late. Gay should have taken his place. Ellis getting snubbed for Tony Parker/Steve Nash is just wrong.
--

I'm also hoping Joe Johnson gets injured so that Jeremy Lin can be the injury replacement.

[The X]

I agree that Chandler would've been a better choice as backup centre over Hibbert, but it all came down to records & when they chose the teams the Knicks stunk.

[Murat]

Gay and Rondo are BIGGEST SNUBS. Deron who, when there is a Rondo?

[Lamrock]

Why do people keep calling Rudy Gay a snub? Marc Gasol is clearly their best player right now, and Gay is not a very good offensive player (see: their offense improving when he went down for the year last year). Josh Smith is a similar situation, except Smith is a little better, as are the Hawks.

[atlwarrior]

West Reserves:

Kevin Love
LaMarcus Aldrige
Russell Westbrook
Tony Parker
Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Marc Gasol

East Reserves:

Chris Bosh
Paul Pierce
Andre Igoudala
Roy Hibbert
Joe Johnson
Luol Deng
Deron Williams

Man the NBA All-Star talent has really taken a dive in recent years.

[Lamrock]

(Hollinger's point, not mine) The 7 biggest West snubs would destroy the 7 east reserves. Luol Deng and Roy Hibbert aren't all-star type players in my opinion, and you could make the case that Deron shouldn't be there this year.

[hova-]

West Reserves:

Kevin Love
LaMarcus Aldrige
Russell Westbrook
Tony Parker
Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Marc Gasol

East Reserves:

Chris Bosh
Paul Pierce
Andre Igoudala
Roy Hibbert
Joe Johnson
Luol Deng
Deron Williams

Man the NBA All-Star talent has really taken a dive in recent years.

It definitely has, but that's because the NBA really hasn't gotten more stars from draft in recent years. TD, KG, Shaq, Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Brandon Roy, just to name a few real stars that aren't there anymore because of age/retirement.

Also, if you look back at 2010 for example, you also had guys like Kaman, Gerald Wallace, David Lee or Al Horford - typical borderline all-stars. The only few that did not make it who are usually All-Stars are Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh.

The 2009 and 2010 drafts just haven't brought All-Star talent so far (Blake being the exception).

[Cruzerr]

The 2009 and 2010 drafts just haven't brought All-Star talent so far (Blake being the exception).

One still hopes that Curry, Evans and Wall will get on track at somepoint.

[Lamrock]

Jennings nearly made the team this year, rubio was 09, lawson is a good young pg, cousins puts up near all-star level numbers at center, monroe was considered this year, wall will probably make a game, etc.