It's Offical, Lakers Sign Karl Malone and Gary Payton

[Dirtdog1- David]

Man you most definitly have to be Old School, because if you think the Mailman will start over Duncan- you wrong and maybe you haven't noticed but Shaq will never start another Western all-star game, not as long as China has an Internet vote.

More like this:

C- Yao Ming
PF- Duncan
SF- Peja/Marion but Melo does have a chance
SG- Kobe
PG- Payton

[air gordon]

It just gets a little confusing when someone tells you they didn't say something when you weren't even talking to them in the first place.

when did that happen?

[Rens]

More like this:

C- Yao Ming
PF- Duncan
SF- Peja/Marion but Melo does have a chance
SG- Kobe
PG- Payton

How I see it:
Yao
Duncan
Garnett
Kobe
Payton/Francis

[Andrew]

I agree with Dan, though I'd say it will more likely be Francis than Payton. Remember, it's based on fan voting, and aging veterans (even ones who aren't slowing down) are often forgotten.

[Vins15]

i hope Nash gets to have a chance to start an all-star game for at least once in his career..how about Marbary nobody mention him and personally i think he has a chance too..Bibby could have a chance if he wasn't filled in a talent team and Andre if he can play the way he played in Cavs or better...

Wut about Spree at the 3 or KG at the 3...?Kobe is definatly gonna get the 2 and maybe the coaches oughta add Finley to this year's all-star game..at the Center i would say Yao or Shaq..don't rili care cuz last year Adelman gave Shaq more playing time than Yao even though Yao gets the starting role..

[Clinton]

when did that happen?

i'm not saying TD/Rasho will be the best c/pf combo next year

You said this after I said to Shane that they wouldn't be the best combo. It sounded like in your post that you thought I was suggesting you said that. For what reason I'm not sure.

[air gordon]

Quote:
i'm not saying TD/Rasho will be the best c/pf combo next year


You said this after I said to Shane that they wouldn't be the best combo. It sounded like in your post that you thought I was suggesting you said that. For what reason I'm not sure.

no- just was making my point that i thought rasho will a have solid year, but NOT be an all star or that he and TD would be the best c/pf combo next year

[Clinton]

Alright then...

[tcs9999]

Doesn't mean much, but just 4 my amusement I updated rosters as of July 31, 2003 and simulated a season and playoffs. The L A Lakers ended up as champs with a 76-6 recors and 15-1 palyoff record. Some of the other records

Minnesota 67-15
Sacramento 63-19
New Jersey 57-25
Orlando 61-21
Utah 15-67

All seem 2 reflect pretty good EXCEPT San Antonio with a 43-39 record and no playoffs (I did not pay any attention but I think Duncan and Nestorovec got hurt)

We Will see what my Lakers do

P.S. - Shaq averaged 28.3, Kobe 24.7, Payton 20.4, and Malone 22.3. The Lakers averaged as a team 122.3! Probably wont happen in real life but who knows!!

[KDWilliams85]

More like this:

C- Yao Ming
PF- Duncan
SF- Peja/Marion but Melo does have a chance
SG- Kobe
PG- Payton

How I see it:
Yao
Duncan
Garnett
Kobe
Payton/Francis

The Western AS team eh?

C - Miller
PF - Duncan/Webber
SF - Spree/Melo/KG/Lewis
SG - Allen/J-Rich
PG - Miller/Payton/Francis

While on the AS team... here's how I foresee the East

C - Ilgauskas(sp)/Curry
PF - Walker/B-Wallace/O'Neal
SF - G-Rob/Jefferson
SG - Iverson/Pierce/Stackhouse
PG - Kidd/James/Houston



And no I don't think T-Mac will make the team... too much competiton at the position now, especially in the East

[Swoosh]

T-mac not make the team? I dont think so, iverson may get more votes but there is just no way that pierce and stackhouse are better, they just arent, ok ok, if they both have top seasons they can be better, but looking at last season, t-mac is just the best of those three(of course anything can happen like bad season by injuries or just not in shape and stuff)imho

[Andrew]

Interesting choices...I don't think T-Mac and Vince will be excluded though. The starting five is based on fan voting, and those guys certainly have the popularity.

[Drex]

ASW:
C-Yao/Shaq
F-Duncan/Webber
F-Garnett/Marion or Peja or 'Melo
G-Kobe/Allen or Finley or Wells
G-Francis/Payton

ASE:
C-Wallace/Hopefuly Curry, that would be great for the Bulls
F-O'neal/Walker
F-Carter/Hill?...Big Dog?...A good SF in the East?
G-T-mac/Pierce or LeBron
G-Iverson/Kidd

Yes...looks a lot like this year ASG, i know

[Swoosh]

Again in the west no marbury, having the season he had last year, he shouldn't be left out, francis wasnt better then him(of curz he could be next year)and payton's numbers are gonna drop(dont know if its gonna be much but his scoring will go down for sure), in the east walker at the pf? He better regains his inside game then, i'd like it more to see Z(ilgauskas) starting at the C-spot(or curry) and wallace at the pf, and for the sf, good question , lets keep it at carter then, or even lebron(who i think should be playin sf à la pip or grant hill)

[Drex]

Again in the west no marbury, having the season he had last year, he shouldn't be left out

Yep, i forgot him, and Nash...and Nowitzki. Also, Payton is now with the Lakers, another thing i forgot, his numbres are gonna drop a lot.
I put Curry 'cause of the end of the last season, he was playing like an All-Star...in the East, of course. Ilgauzkas could be there, too.
Any good SF in the East??
Put LeBron in the SF spot .

[ThisizaJackMove]

Arenas Anyone?

[Vins15]

Hill couldn't possibily make to the all star game ever...his leg is injured so bad that he could barely walk...yeah Nash and Nowitzki should be in the all-star game same for Finley,Marbury,Marion..

[KDWilliams85]

T-mac not make the team? I dont think so, iverson may get more votes but there is just no way that pierce and stackhouse are better, they just arent, ok ok, if they both have top seasons they can be better, but looking at last season, t-mac is just the best of those three(of course anything can happen like bad season by injuries or just not in shape and stuff)imho

I'll give you that T-Mac led in scoring last season, but that doesn't automatically give him a bid. You could score 40 pts a game but if you only avg 2 or 3 rebounds and assists a game that tells the voters that the player is selfish. I know T-Mac isn't a selfish player, but there are players that deserve the spot and quite frankly, T-Mac isn't one of those players.

[magius]

mashburn's in the east and he's good......

p.s. quite frankly, tmac is

[Andrew]

there are players that deserve the spot and quite frankly, T-Mac isn't one of those players.

Well, fan voting decides the starters so popularity can raise you above your numbers.

But why doesn't T-Mac deserve to be an All-Star? His numbers are good (31.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.65 spg), his skill is apparent, and he's an entertaining player. In a game that is meant to showcase the best players from each conference putting on a show, I'd say T-Mac definitely belongs.

[KDWilliams85]

there are players that deserve the spot and quite frankly, T-Mac isn't one of those players.

Well, fan voting decides the starters so popularity can raise you above your numbers.

But why doesn't T-Mac deserve to be an All-Star? His numbers are good (31.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.65 spg), his skill is apparent, and he's an entertaining player. In a game that is meant to showcase the best players from each conference putting on a show, I'd say T-Mac definitely belongs.

You could say it's a matter of opinion. Sure popularity could raise your numbers, but what about those players who perform well but aren't exactly popular? That suggest popularity actively influences who makes the All-Star team.

[Colin]

That suggest popularity actively influences who makes the All-Star team.

*coughYaooverShaqcough*

[Andrew]

That suggest popularity actively influences who makes the All-Star team.

As Colin pointed out (during a nasty coughing fit it seems ), that's often the case. Consider not only Vince Carter's selection despite playing 9 games in the first half of last season, but also Grant Hill's selection after playing in 4 games in 2000/2001.

Since fans vote for the starters, popular players have a good chance at making the All-Star team simply on their popularity alone. Most popular plans also tend to be good players though.

[scubilete]

If you did see him play, it was against Shaq in the playoffs...and Shaq makes almost everyone look bad.

Do you guys think LeBron will get enough votes to start the next all-star?

[Drex]

Mashburn! One of the most underrated players! I completely forgot about him. Thanks, magius.