duncan228
01-30-2010, 08:06 PM
Starry, Starry Slights in the NBA (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Starry_Starry_Slights_in_the_NBA.html)
Mike Monroe - Express-News
Some of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous works, including “Starry Night,” were painted while he was in a psychiatric asylum in France. This is not to suggest the NBA's head coaches had taken leave of their senses when they selected the reserves for the Feb. 14 All-Star Game, but some of their choices seemed a bit shaky.
We'll give the Eastern Conference coaches a bit of a pass for one of their slights because the fans put Allen Iverson in the starting lineup. Iverson is a great player but undeserving of an All-Star appearance based on this season. Had one guard spot not already been filled by Iverson, perhaps Stephen Jackson, who deserved a spot, would have been a coaches' choice.
There is no excuse, however, for the Eastern coaches to have left Knicks center David Lee off the All-Star team. As any fantasy league player can attest, Lee has been one of the most productive big men in the league this season. The fact he plays for a team that is nine games under .500 is not his fault.
If team success is such a high priority for the coaches, how is Chauncey Billups not among the Western reserves?
Lee and Billups are the most glaring omissions from this year's All-Star teams, but not the only mistakes.
Here is our starting five among snubbed stars. To be fair and accountable, we're also listing the players we believe should have been left off the roster to make room for these guys:
Guard: Chauncey Billups
Team: Nuggets
Replaces: Deron Williams, Jazz
Rundown: The Nuggets have the second-best record in the Western Conference, and Billups deserves just as much credit as Carmelo Anthony for this status. In fact, his leadership makes him their MVP.
Stat averages: 19.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 42.6 FG pct., 89.9 FT pct.
Guard: Stephen Jackson
Team: Bobcats
Replaces: Derrick Rose, Bulls
Rundown: Jackson’s reputation, already sketchy, took a hit when he forced the trade from Golden State to Charlotte. Since becoming a Bobcat, he has made them a playoff team to be feared in the East.
Stat averages: 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 42.8 FG pct., 77.9 FT pct.
Center: David Lee
Team: Knicks
Replaces: Al Horford, Hawks
Rundown: There is only one reason Lee didn’t get the nod from the coaches: the Knicks’ record. That’s not his fault, and his numbers fairly scream for inclusion. There are more deserving Hawks than Horford.
Stat averages: 19.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 0.3 blocks, 55.6 FG pct., 78.8 FT pct.
Forward: Josh Smith
Team: Hawks
Replaces: Gerald Wallace, Bobcats
Rundown: The biggest reason the Hawks are a threat to the Cavs and Celtics is their defensive excellence. Smith is their clean-up man inside, the league’s No. 3 shot-blocker. He’s become a solid scorer and rebounder, too.
Stat averages: 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 51.0 FG pct., 61.8 FT pct.
Forward: Chris Kaman
Team: Clippers
Replaces: Pau Gasol, Lakers
Rundown: Kaman, like Lee, suffers because of his team’s record. But he has been a consistent scorer and rebounder and has played in all but five games. Gasol has missed 16 of the Lakers’ 46 games.
Stat averages: 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 50.2 FG pct., 75.4 FT pct.
Mike Monroe - Express-News
Some of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous works, including “Starry Night,” were painted while he was in a psychiatric asylum in France. This is not to suggest the NBA's head coaches had taken leave of their senses when they selected the reserves for the Feb. 14 All-Star Game, but some of their choices seemed a bit shaky.
We'll give the Eastern Conference coaches a bit of a pass for one of their slights because the fans put Allen Iverson in the starting lineup. Iverson is a great player but undeserving of an All-Star appearance based on this season. Had one guard spot not already been filled by Iverson, perhaps Stephen Jackson, who deserved a spot, would have been a coaches' choice.
There is no excuse, however, for the Eastern coaches to have left Knicks center David Lee off the All-Star team. As any fantasy league player can attest, Lee has been one of the most productive big men in the league this season. The fact he plays for a team that is nine games under .500 is not his fault.
If team success is such a high priority for the coaches, how is Chauncey Billups not among the Western reserves?
Lee and Billups are the most glaring omissions from this year's All-Star teams, but not the only mistakes.
Here is our starting five among snubbed stars. To be fair and accountable, we're also listing the players we believe should have been left off the roster to make room for these guys:
Guard: Chauncey Billups
Team: Nuggets
Replaces: Deron Williams, Jazz
Rundown: The Nuggets have the second-best record in the Western Conference, and Billups deserves just as much credit as Carmelo Anthony for this status. In fact, his leadership makes him their MVP.
Stat averages: 19.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 42.6 FG pct., 89.9 FT pct.
Guard: Stephen Jackson
Team: Bobcats
Replaces: Derrick Rose, Bulls
Rundown: Jackson’s reputation, already sketchy, took a hit when he forced the trade from Golden State to Charlotte. Since becoming a Bobcat, he has made them a playoff team to be feared in the East.
Stat averages: 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 42.8 FG pct., 77.9 FT pct.
Center: David Lee
Team: Knicks
Replaces: Al Horford, Hawks
Rundown: There is only one reason Lee didn’t get the nod from the coaches: the Knicks’ record. That’s not his fault, and his numbers fairly scream for inclusion. There are more deserving Hawks than Horford.
Stat averages: 19.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 0.3 blocks, 55.6 FG pct., 78.8 FT pct.
Forward: Josh Smith
Team: Hawks
Replaces: Gerald Wallace, Bobcats
Rundown: The biggest reason the Hawks are a threat to the Cavs and Celtics is their defensive excellence. Smith is their clean-up man inside, the league’s No. 3 shot-blocker. He’s become a solid scorer and rebounder, too.
Stat averages: 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 51.0 FG pct., 61.8 FT pct.
Forward: Chris Kaman
Team: Clippers
Replaces: Pau Gasol, Lakers
Rundown: Kaman, like Lee, suffers because of his team’s record. But he has been a consistent scorer and rebounder and has played in all but five games. Gasol has missed 16 of the Lakers’ 46 games.
Stat averages: 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 50.2 FG pct., 75.4 FT pct.