NBA All-Star Weekend

This week's blog will zero in on the NBA All-Star weekend that is coming up on February 13the and 14th. First the predictions for All-Star Saturday.

I'll skip over the WNBA/NBA shooting game because that is not worth predicting. The Rookie/Sophomore game always turns into a run-n-gun alley hoop fest but nonetheless I think it's going to be a romp by the sophomore team. With a team that looks like a future all-star roster (Beasley, Gordon, Rose, Mayo, Love) I think they will put this game out of reach early to the point that you may be able to catch a quick nap before the "real" events take place. The H.O.R.S.E. competition is fairly new to the all-star festivities. I think it's a good idea but they always get young guys to do it since veterans couldn't care less. I'm still hoping to see Larry Bird and Michael Jordan continue their battle from the mid-90s. Anyway, I don't know who will win because they haven't announced the participants but I'm sure it will be with a lame, unoriginal shot and nobody will care. Next is the Skills Competition. Again, the competitors have yet to be determined but this event is usually pretty entertaining and usually has at least 1 superstar in the mix. I'm hoping LeBron or Kobe compete. Last year's winner was Derrick Rose, I would expect a similar guy to win this year. It favors the quick guys who can shoot AND pass. Brandon Jennings is a guy I think would do well in this event. He's a rookie from Milwaukee and he is having a breakout season. The 3-point shootout has always been my favorite event on All-Star Saturday but the last few years have lacked the big name guys. It is nice to see guys like Craig Hodges, Steve Kerr, and more recently Jason Kapono get some exposure though. The field hasn't been announced yet but I'm looking for J.J. Reddick to get in this year and win it. As for the Slam Dunk contest the field consists of defending champion Nate Robinson, Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown and Dunk-In winner (Eric Gordon or DeMar DeRozan). The dunk in winner is new this year. The contestants are less than spectacular so I'm rooting for Eric Gordon to get in and give the field at least a semi-recognizable name. If Nate Robinson wins again I will stop watching all together. My money is on Gerald Wallace. He is pretty exciting but seems to get the "I've never heard of you" biased. Then there's the big event on Sunday, the NBA All-Star game. Here are the rosters:

East All-Stars

Starters:
Kevin Garnett - PF (Boston)
LeBron James - SF (Cleveland)
Dwight Howard - C (Orlando)
Dwyane Wade - SG (Miami)
Allen Iverson - PG (Philadelphia)

Reserves:
Al Horford - C (Atlanta)
Chris Bosh - PF (Toronto)
Paul Pierce - SF (Boston)
Gerald Wallace - SF (Charlotte)
Joe Johnson - SG (Atlanta)
Rajon Rando - PG (Boston)
Derrick Rose - PG (Chicago)

You could always go on forever about who should be there and who shouldn't when talking about the NBA since the rosters are so small. I'll hold my claims to one each. First off, it's clear as day to see what player should not be there. Allen Iverson does not deserve to be on the team let alone a starter. Reward a Michael Jordan, reward a Magic Johnson, but Iverson is NOT in that class. He was whining about playing time and has been detrimental to teams for years because of his selfish behavior. Not to mention his votes were gained by being on the West ballot anyways. Replace him with Josh Smith. Atlanta already has 2 all-stars but they are winning this year and deserve the extra guy. Besides, he's their best all around player. You could also make a case for David Lee but he plays for the Knicks so I think it's ok that he didn't make it.

West All-Stars

Starters:
Tim Duncan - PF (San Antonio)
Carmelo Anthony - SF (Denver)
Amar'e Stoudamire - C (Phoenix)
Kobe Bryant - SG (L.A. Lakers)
Steve Nash - PG (Phoenix)

Reserves:
Pau Gasol - C (L.A. Lakers)
Dirk Nowitzki - PF (Dallas)
Zach Randolph - PF (Memphis)
Kevin Durant - SF (Oklahoma City)
Brandon Roy - SG (Portland)
Deron Williams - PG (Utah)
Chris Paul - PG (New Orleans)

In the West there isn't that big neon sign of "I Don't Belong" hanging on anyone. However, I think the snub is clear. Los Angeles Clipper center Chris Kaman should be on this team. He's having a career year and it's easy to put him on the team in place of center Pau Gasol, who's missed quite a few games due to injury anyway.

My 3-point shootout winner = Stephen Curry
Skills competition winner = Steve Nash

You want to add a THIRD Hawk to the roster when the Cavs, who have the best record in the NBA, only have LeBron James representing them??? Anderson Varejao, who should be at the top of the list when it comes to Defensive Player and 6th Man of the year, is having an awesome season. J.J. Hickson has come on very strong as of late too! Luckily, Allen Iverson has been replaced because of his injury but was replaced with David Lee of the Knicks. Really? The Knicks have an All-Star? And what about Shaq? No, he's not putting up his 20-10-2(Blocks) but he is a HUGE reason (Pun intended) that the Cavs are the best team in the NBA. I do feel, however, that if Mo Williams were not injured, he would have been a replacement for one of the injured All-Stars.

Kobe's out for the West now too. It seems to me that nothing should stop LeBron from being the All-Star Game MVP this year, in front of the largest ever crowd to witness a basketball game. It's expected that 80,000+ will be in "Look at me! I'm Jerry Jones!" Stadium to see this year's All-Star game, shattering the record for most people at a basketball game. The only downside to this could be a Neutral Floor Finals in the NBA's future which, in my opinion, would ruin the game completely.

As for the skills competition, the dunk competition and the three-point shootout, I predict Dr. J shows up and wins all three. Either him or Magic. But definitely not Barkley. I don't think he can jump anymore. Too many $5 Boxes from Taco Bell.

I can get behind Shaq, he has come on strong since starting very slow. Varejao is good but he's a bench guy. Not that he doesn't deserve it but the fact of the matter is it's LeBron and gang. A bunch of no names (besides Mo and Shaq). The Hawks' players are up and coming STARS. In the NBA, due to the lack of roster spots, you have to earn your way in. If Varejao finishes the year strong then comes out next year and plays just as well then I think he gets more consideration. Now it won't bother me if we put the whole Cavs roster in the all-star game but now it's official and David Lee is in. Can you really be upset that a guy who averages a double-double a night and hustles his ass off for a piss poor team like the Knicks gets the nod? The NBA needs more guys like David Lee.

That's a good point. I think we can be done with basketball until the playoffs now. Spring Training starts next week!