NBA.com Blogtable: All-Star nod for Duncan?

[duncan228]

Blogtable: All-Star nod for Duncan? (http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/01/05/blogtable-all-star-nod-for-duncan/)

Career and future Hall of Famedom notwithstanding, does Tim Duncan deserve an All-Star nod given his stats this season?

Steve Aschburner: This sort of debate doesn’t happen in baseball. For one, the All-Star rosters are bigger than the NBA’s 12. More important, baseball appreciates and plays to its history more than other sports. A legendary player such as Duncan, if he were a left fielder, would be embraced even in a down season for his star power and career achievements. The NBA is much more about now. (The one flaw I’ll acknowledge is that Duncan always has been a thinking man’s Hall of Famer – even in his prime, it would have been tedious to sit through a highlight reel of his greatest moments, given how un-flashy and fundamentally focused he’s been.)

Fran Blinebury: The idea that players have to earn their way onto the All-Star team with their performance in the first half of the season went out the window with canvas Chuck Taylors and the steam engine. When the NBA turned the event into a “Dancing With the Stars” for dunkers, it is simply a popularity contest. Yao Ming gets the China vote, even though he’s likely finish. Allen Iverson was a favorite last year. Magic Johnson was retired in 1992 when he was named MVP. Just relax and enjoy the show.

Art Garcia: Is there a better “center” in the Western Conference? Yes, we know he’s in the forward category, but c’mon, Timmy is a center. He’s been a center since the Admiral retired. The Spurs can parade 6-foot-7 (maybe) DeJuan Blair out there at the 5, but TD mans the pivot at both ends of the floor. Is there a better center in the West? I didn’t think so.

Scott Howard-Cooper: Yes, for two reasons: There are very few options as West coaches pick the conference reserves, creating an opportunity for Duncan that would not otherwise exist. And, the Spurs have the best record. They should have a second representative to go with Manu Ginobili. So while Duncan’s stats don’t demand attention, the circumstances do.

Shaun Powell: If he were listed at center, he’d have a case, since Yao Ming (!) is the early leader in the fan vote. But really, now, Duncan doesn’t deserve a spot at forward over LaMarcus, K-Love, Blake Griffin, Scola, Z-Bo or even Pau. Such is the price you pay when you pace yourself in the regular season, as Duncan does, to save gas for the spring.

John Schuhmann: Honestly, the only individual stat of Duncan’s that I’ve paid attention to thus far is his minutes. I had to look up his points, rebounds, etc. All I know is that the Spurs are 29-5, that Duncan is still the anchor of a top-10 defense, that they still run their offense through him in key spots, and that the team is still built around him and what he brings to the table. In my mind, he’s an All-Star.

Sekou Smith: These things are never based solely on stats. If they were, big time scorers on lousy teams would have been making All-Star teams for years. I have no problem with Duncan making it this season. There have several occasions in recent years when big man with solid but maybe not great numbers has made the All-Star team because he was on a really good team. Timmy qualifies on all counts. Duncan also has the added bonus of being one of the game’s all-time greats. That has to count for something.

[coyotes_geek]

He'll get in, and may even start in place of Yao.

[Killakobe81]

agree 100% he is deserving (as a center) and come on are we buying Blair ads a center still? I dont know why the duncan or the Spurs FO insists on announcing Duncan at PF ...
It's no big deal but to me it hurts his all-star candididacy as they mention above ...

[ohmwrecker]

If he was listed at center, he would be a shoe-in (Florsheim jokes withstanding).

[Mark in Austin]

Steve Aschburner: ..even in his prime, it would have been tedious to sit through a highlight reel of his greatest moments, given how un-flashy and fundamentally focused he’s been.)

tedious? really? gtfo.

[hater]

IMO he needs a couple of great games more to be in it

[Killakobe81]

tedious? really? gtfo.

agree bad choice of words ...besides just his footwork alone should be appreciated by any real basketball afficionado ....

He doesnt wow you with blows to the head like Blake ...but he lulls you to sleep with consistent body blows.

and at the end of the night he has 28 and 15 in a big game ...

[Killakobe81]

I also think that is why some people claim shaq was better at his best because shaq made those crazy dunks with two people hanging on him ...

Duncan was the better player period even when shaq was at his best ...

[FlAVaK]

There have (been) several occasions in recent years when (a) big man with solid but maybe not great numbers has made the All-Star team because he was on a really good team.

Exhibit A Jamaal Magloire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaal_Magloire), 2004 Allstar with 13.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg (in 34 mpg).

Just about what Timmy averages this season in 29 mpg...

[TD 21]

Aschuburner, Garcia and Schumann get it. Powell should probably be fired for having such an uneducated, novice opinion.

It doesn't matter that he's listed as a forward, it's clear from the two returns that he won't be a starter this season. Coaches are allowed to pick players at a position if they play it even occasionally. Duncan, as we know, is a full time center. So picking him as a center is a no brainer, because after Gasol (who will move to center after Nowitzki is picked to replace Yao as a starter), the West doesn't have another All-Star worthy center.

I don't get why this is so difficult for people to figure out or grasp. As if Duncan is the only all-time great who made it while putting up pedestrian (by his standards) numbers. Garnett's done is since he became a Celtic, yet his inclusion has never been a topic of conversation. O'Neal's made it a few times when he probably shouldn't have. I remember Robinson making it in '01, even though he was "only" averaging about 14/9/2.5/1.5. Yet in none of these instances was anything made of their being selected, but when it comes to Duncan people act like he doesn't merit consideration. I don't get it.

[BlairForceDejuan]

I have no problem with him missing it. Rings are all that matter.

[DJ Mbenga]

duncan says he is no center so if we judge him as a pf, the answer is hell no. sadly for center a bum from any city can start at center for the west

[duncan228]

Yeah, it's a little odd, but Duncan deserves All-Star bid (http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/01/07/and-one-tim-duncan-all-star/)
Scott Howard-Cooper
NBA.com

• Prepare for some raised eyebrows. Tim Duncan is averaging 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds and has morphed from a star into a complementary role in the Spurs' offense ... and he may make the All-Star team. Imagine the reaction in Denver if Duncan makes it ahead of Nene or in Portland if Marcus Camby is bypassed for Duncan while challenging for the top 10 in blocks and rebounds. But said one executive, snickering at the notion there will even be a debate: "They have the best record and he's Tim Duncan. He's on the team. Period."

• The circumstances break right for a Duncan candidacy. The Spurs deserve two representatives and the West backcourt is too loaded for Tony Parker to join Manu Ginobili at Staples Center. [B]More importantly, Duncan can be called a center in a conference devoid of center candidates. Pau Gasol is the rightful starter when commissioner David Stern names an injury replacement for Yao Ming, assuming Yao holds his lead in fan balloting, and coaches choose the All-Star bench from there. One of the reserves must be labeled a center.

• Besides: 9.2 rebounds in just 29 minutes a game is very good production, 10th in the league in boards per 48 minutes to be exact. It's not like Duncan is gasping his way through the season.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/01/07/and-one-tim-duncan-all-star/

[ohmwrecker]

"But said one executive, snickering at the notion there will even be a debate: "They have the best record and he's Tim [bleeping] Duncan. He's on the team. Period.""

Pop?

[duncan228]

Is Darko better than Duncan? Kahn thinks so, what say you? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Jesse Blanchard
48 Minutes of Hell

Tim Duncan is one of the 10 greatest basketball players ever. Darko Milicic and David Kahn are manna from heaven for would be comedians-turned-bloggers (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/bank-shots-manna-from-heaven-conspiracies-from-hell) everywhere.

Still, someone has to plug that gaping hole in the center of the Western Conference All-Star team with Yao Ming done. Kahn, in his infinite wisdom (http://nba-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/26832339), points to the scarcity of quality centers in the conference and asks, why not Darko?

Of course, Kahn thinks that Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio can work in the same backcourt. Also, that Ricky Rubio is coming to Minnesota.

Fortunately there are more rational minds out there to responsibly debate this, as a roundtable of writers over at NBA.com discussed the merits of Tim Duncan’s All-Star candidacy (http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/01/05/blogtable-all-star-nod-for-duncan/):


Sekou Smith: These things are never based solely on stats. If they were, big time scorers on lousy teams would have been making All-Star teams for years. I have no problem with Duncan making it this season. There have several occasions in recent years when big man with solid but maybe not great numbers has made the All-Star team because he was on a really good team. Timmy qualifies on all counts. Duncan also has the added bonus of being one of the game’s all-time greats. That has to count for something.

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/is-darko-better-than-duncan-kahn-thinks-so-what-say-you#more-12283)

[duncan228]

Duncan’s All-Star streak likely up to coaches (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/01/08/duncan%e2%80%99s-all-star-streak-likely-up-to-coaches/)
Jeff McDonald

...Though Spurs coach Gregg Popovich hasn’t directly stumped for Duncan, it is clear he believes his starting power forward remains All-Star caliber.

“As far as what he means to the team, and what he does, it’s all the same,” Popovich said. “He’s the base of everything we do. Everything starts there, and we fit everything around him.”


..."He’s not going to do all the things he did in past years, but he’s a very intelligent player,” Popovich said. “He knows what he can do on the floor, based on the situation, the score, who’s guarding him. He always makes pretty damn good decisions.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/01/08/duncan%e2%80%99s-all-star-streak-likely-up-to-coaches/

[duncan228]

Just the comments on the Big Three, hit the link for the whole piece.


Monday Musings: Year of first-time All-Stars? (http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/01/10/monday-musings-year-of-first-time-all-stars/)
Zach Lowe
The Point Forward
SI.com


...Manu Ginobili: He’s been the best player on the league’s best team, record-wise, and he’s doing a bit of everything for San Antonio on both ends. Has to get in.


...Tim Duncan (PER 21.60, 22nd): It’s hard to send a player logging fewer than 30 minutes per game to the All-Star Game, and Duncan might be just as interested in resting at this point in his career. But his pick-and-roll skill remains a crucial part of San Antonio’s half-court offense, and the team figures to lean on his post game more in the playoffs. And he is as solid as ever on the back line of the Spurs’ defense (http://basketballvalue.com/teamplayers.php?year=2010-2011&team=SAS).


...Tony Parker (PER 20.91, 25th): Don’t forget about Parker. He’s shooting 52 percent and dishing more assists, per minute, than he ever has. Does he lose points because the Spurs’ offense has performed much better with him off the floor (http://basketballvalue.com/teamplayers.php?year=2010-2011&team=SAS)?

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/01/10/monday-musings-year-of-first-time-all-stars/

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

tedious? really? gtfo.


I also think that is why some people claim shaq was better at his best because shaq made those crazy dunks with two people hanging on him ...

Duncan was the better player period even when shaq was at his best ...

I-burnered-myself-and-am an-Asc just showed how little he knows about Duncan. Even if you don't appreciate his fundamentals and complete command of the game at both ends, you could compile a fantastic :wow reel from his first 3 seasons alone. The guy had killer quickness and hops to start his career and used to dunk the living shit out of it all over people!


"But said one executive, snickering at the notion there will even be a debate: "They have the best record and he's Tim [bleeping] Duncan. He's on the team. Period.""

Pop?

Whoever it is, he summed up my thoughts. :tu

[Mel_13]

"All this talk about him kind of transitioning is a lot of bull----."

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, scoffing at the notion that Tim Duncan's diminished numbers with the San Antonio Spurs should be interpreted as conclusive evidence that the 34-year-old is in decline.

Duncan was indeed averaging just 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per game -- all of them career lows -- entering Friday's showdown at home against Carlisle's Mavs.

By now, though, you're surely aware of San Antonio's new game plan: Speed up the game, keep the ball moving and curtail the regular-season demands on Duncan -- reducing his touches even when he's on the floor by making Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker the offensive focal points -- to keep as much gas as possible in Duncan's tank for the postseason.

The way Carlisle continues to refer to Duncan as "a premier player" would suggest that, as stated in Box 4, no one should be surprised if this Duncan is voted on the West All-Star squad by the coaches who admire him so.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-110114-16/howard-qa

[howbouthemspurs]

I'm pretty sure if Pop is the coach then he will sure get Timmy in.. but he wont play him much of the game

[Spurs Brazil]

All-Star Schedule




Love


There's some optimistic news for those of you hoping Minnesota double-double machine Kevin Love can get into the All-Star Game even though he plays for a team that has barely cracked double digits in wins.

I've been reasonably assured that Love -- who's obviously not a center -- is big enough as a big man with his irresistibly massive statistical output and efficiency to make it onto the list of potential fill-in selections when NBA commissioner David Stern has to choose a West roster replacement for the injured Yao Ming.



The bad news?



Competition for Yao's spot is still going to be pretty stiff when you figure that West coaches could well run out of room with their seven reserve selections for the likes of San Antonio's Tim Duncan (fifth in fan voting among West forwards) and one or both of the Lakers' frontcourt regulars: Pau Gasol (third among West forwards) and Lamar Odom (seventh).



Even if the coaches can't resist this saving-it-for-the-playoffs Duncan as many suspect -- and even if Carmelo Anthony is dealt to an Eastern Conference team to move Pau into a starting spot in fan balloting -- it's almost a given that Odom will be bypassed by the coaches and thus pop up prominently on Stern's Yao list alongside Dallas' Tyson Chandler, who continues to be ranked on this scorecard as the most effective center in the West through the season's opening half.



Likewise, there will be calls -- without even acknowledging productive Westerners such as LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, Paul Millsap and Zach Randolph -- for Blake Griffin from the hometown Clippers to take Yao's spot, despite the fact that (A) vets always trump rookies in All-Star matters and (B) Griffin has already been lined up to carry All-Star Saturday as the headliner of the dunk contest as well as Friday night's rookie game.



Thursday's voting return represents the league's last public update until we start getting official results. Here's the rest of the All-Star schedule when it comes to resolving all of these issues:



Monday, Jan. 17: Paper balloting ends



Sunday, Jan 23: Online balloting ends at midnight



Thursday, Jan. 27: All-Star starters announced



Thursday, Feb. 3: All-Star eeserves announced



Sunday, Feb. 20: 2011: NBA All-Star Game.


http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-110114-16/howard-qa

[DMC]

"But said one executive, snickering at the notion there will even be a debate: "They have the best record and he's Tim [bleeping] Duncan. He's on the team. Period.""

Pop?
I think Pop would have said "we".

Probably the executive of a team who doesn't have a horse in the race.


Either way "dancing with the stars for dunkers" is one of the most accurate descriptions I have ever seen for the AS game.

[dbreiden83080]

Give Tim the weekend off

I'm sure he doesn't care at this point in his career..

[ohmwrecker]

I think Pop would have said "we".

Really?! You don't think it's Pop?! I seriously thought it was Pop. I wasn't making a reference to "He's Manu ____ Ginobili".

[drok210]

coaches don't vote in rookies.

tim duncan?

[duncan228]

Duncan's All-Star status questioned (http://projectspurs.com/)
Written by Jeff Garcia
Project Spurs

Fellow Bloguin NBA blogger Jeff Fox from Hoops Manifesto is questioning (http://bloguin.com/articles/baskeball/is-tim-duncan-all-star-worthy.html) if San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan is All-Star worthy.

Currently, Duncan is fifth in voting and more than likely will not be voted into the starting line-up by the fans. If so and if the eventual Western Conference coach, Spurs' Gregg Popovich, does not pick his own player onto the team, Duncan would miss his first All-Star game.

After evaluating the field of Western Conference big men who might make the squad over Duncan, here is what Fox had to say:

So where does this leave Tim Duncan? Probably battling with nine other players for three or four roster spots. But Spurs fans should be able to rest easy - Duncan will probably make the team. He is still one of the League's best defenders (not to mention players) playing on the League's best team. This year should make it a perfect 13 for 13 for Duncan being selected for the All-Star Game.

As much as Spurs' fans might like to see Duncan continue his All-Star appearance streak, I'm sure all he cares about is winning and not personal awards.

With that being said, why not let the man himself speak about the possibility of not being voted to the All-Star game:

Video here... (http://projectspurs.com/2011-articles/january/duncans-all-star-status-questioned.html)

http://projectspurs.com/2011-articles/january/duncans-all-star-status-questioned.html

*********************

The Jeff Fox piece.


Is Tim Duncan All-Star Worthy? (http://bloguin.com/articles/baskeball/is-tim-duncan-all-star-worthy.html)
Written by Jeff Fox

There are certain things we take as a given in life - death, taxes, Tim Duncan playing in the NBA All-Star Game. But, sometimes, not everything we assume as a certainty turns out to be the case (and, no, we don't have a magical elixir that will let you cheat death, sorry.) - Tim Duncan is not guaranteed an All-Star spot this season. What's more unfathomable - that Duncan has never played an NBA season without being an All-Star, or that he might not make the All-Star team this year?

Duncan making the All-Star team has been a moot point these past 12 seasons - the only year he hasn't been voted in as a Western Conference All-Star starter was his rookie season. But this year The Big Fundamental is a distant fifth in voting and looks like a long shot to get an automatic invite to Los Angeles. Add in the fact the Duncan is having a down year, statistically, and we can, for the first time, ask the question "Is Tim Duncan All-Star Worthy?"

While pretty much all of Timmy's numbers are at career-lows, he still is having a very good year, posting a statline of 13.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.0 bpg. And while his Win Shares/48 minutes is also at a career-low of .175, it is still well above the league average of .100. You can chalk up a lot of the dip in his numbers to the Spurs not needing him to do it all anymore - he's playing the least amount of minutes and taking the lowest amount of shots in his career. Yet, and perhaps most importantly, he's helped led the Spurs (surprisingly) to the best record in the League.

However, every year there are numerous players with legit beefs at being omitted from the All-Star Game roster - but, hey, there are only so many open roster spots each season. In the case of Duncan, normally six or seven post players (power forwards and centers) end up being selected to compete in the game. With two small forwards, Kevin Durant and Carmello Anthony, looking like they are going to be the starting forwards for the West this year, that could dip the number of post players to six. However, Yao Ming is blowing away the field in the voting for the center position, so he'll take a spot. But, with him injured he'll have to be replaced with (probably) another post player. So who will these six of seven big men be?

First, the sure things. Yao (yuck), Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki are sure to take spots. After that, it looks to be a free-for-all for the last three or four roster spots. You'd hope that youngsters Kevin Love and Blake Griffin get rewarded for their phenomenal success thus far, but that is far from a given considering they are young and play for bad teams. The same (except for the young part) can be said about Luis Scola and Zach Randolph - they are putting up big numbers, albeit for under-.500 teams. LaMarcus Aldridge has been keeping Portland afloat in the the playoff hunt despite the team's plethora of injuries. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson have gelled for the Jazz, providing Utah with a two-headed post monster. Lamar Odom is having his best year as a pro, plus he plays for the defending champion Lakers, so many feel he will get his first All-Star invite this season. And, finally, the Hornets have enjoyed a resurgence this season, with All-Star power forward David West posting his normal solid numbers.

So where does this leave Tim Duncan? Probably battling with nine other players for three or four roster spots. But Spurs fans should be able to rest easy - Duncan will probably make the team. He is still one of the League's best defenders (not to mention players) playing on the League's best team. This year should make it a perfect 13 for 13 for Duncan being selected for the All-Star Game.