Yao, Garnett, O'Neal Lead All Star-Balloting

[Manu20]

Yao, Garnett, O’Neal Lead All-Star Balloting


NEW YORK, Dec. 16 -- Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves lead all players in the Western Conference and Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat and Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors lead all players in the Eastern Conference in votes received after the first returns of the 2005 NBA All-Star Balloting program.

Through the 2005 All-Star Balloting program, NBA fans from around the globe are responsible for voting in the starters for the 54th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played in Denver on Sunday, February 20. The game will be broadcast live on TNT, Rogers Sportsnet, ESPN Radio and audio in several languages on NBA.com (http://nba.com) at 8 p.m. (EST).

Yao leads all players with 881,223 votes. He is followed at the center position in the Western Conference by Sacramento’s Brad Miller (130,824). Garnett, the 2003-04 NBA Most Valuable Player, leads all Western Conference forwards with 751,586 votes, followed by San Antonio’s Tim Duncan (570,090). Houston’s Tracy McGrady (680,373) and Kobe Bryant (673,665) lead all Western Conference guards.

O’Neal leads all Eastern Conference players with 854,930 votes, followed at the center position by Detroit’s Ben Wallace (266,891). Carter (619,959) and Orlando’s Grant Hill (552,328) lead all Eastern Conference forwards. Cleveland’s LeBron James leads all Eastern Conference guards (557,538), followed by Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson (521,245).

Through the 2005 NBA All-Star Balloting program, which began on November 18, fans have the opportunity to vote in more ways than ever. The balloting program has expanded to include 19 languages on the NBA.com Network, downloadable ballots via Verizon Wireless and approximately 150 Loews Cineplex Entertainment movie theaters in the United States. This year, Twentieth Century Fox joined Sprite, America Online, Reebok and approximately 2,100 Foot Locker and Champs Sports stores in the United States and Canada as All-Star balloting partners. Ballots are also distributed in all 29 NBA arenas and all six NBDL arenas.

NBA All-Star 2005 is a week-long celebration that enables fans to experience the thrill of the world’s greatest athletes playing the game they love and features a full slate of community enhancing activities and fan festivals.

The 2005 NBA All-Star Balloting program continues through January 23, 2005, and updated results for the Eastern and Western Conferences will be issued regularly leading up to the unveiling of the All-Star starters on Thursday, February 3. Following the completion of fan voting and starting line-up announcement, the head coaches in each conference will vote to determine the remaining All-Stars in their respective conferences.


2005 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING
EAST FORWARDS


Vince Carter
Vince Carter (Tor.) 696,652
Grant Hill (Orl.) 552,328
Jermaine O’Neal (Ind.) 477,250
Rasheed Wallace (Det.) 332,820
Antawn Jamison (Was.) 128,514
Richard Jefferson (N.J.) 112,566
Tayshaun Prince (Det.) 107,003
Emeka Okafor (Cha.) 95,967
Dwight Howard (Orl.) 65,467
Drew Gooden (Cle.) 47,464

EAST GUARDS


James
LeBron James (Cle.) 557,538
Allen Iverson (Phi) 521,245
Dwyane Wade (Mia) 414,763
Steve Francis (Orl) 372,043
Jason Kidd (NJ) 190,608
Chauncey Billups (Det) 107,682
Stephon Marbury (NY) 100,535
Richard Hamilton (Det) 96,908
Paul Pierce (Bos) 87,536
Reggie Miller (Ind) 53,764

EAST CENTERS


O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 854,930
Ben Wallace (Det) 266,891
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cle.) 81,006
Alonzo Mourning (NJ) 79,658
Chris Bosh (Tor) 61,981
Eddy Curry (Chi) 24,332
Tony Battie (Orl) 23,559
Jeff Foster (Ind) 23,001
Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 18,925
Primoz Brezec (Cha) 17,638


WEST FORWARDS


Garnett
Kevin Garnett (Min.) 751,586
Tim Duncan (S.A.) 570,090
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal.) 321,177
Carmelo Anthony (Den) 232,844
Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 174,735
Peja Stojakovic (Sac) 114,613
Andre Kirilenko (Utah) 106,389
Chris Webber (Sac) 105,283
Pau Gasol (Mem) 85,765
Kenyon Martin (Den) 83,356


WEST GUARDS


McGrady
Tracy McGrady (Hou) 680,373
Kobe Bryant (LAL) 673,665
Steve Nash (Pho) 330,577
Ray Allen (Sea.) 305,147
Emanuel Ginobili (S.A.) 182,532
Mike Bibby (Sac.) 124,361
Michael Finley (Dal.) 93,847
Tony Parker (S.A.) 89,069
Jason Terry (Dal) 65,360
Latrell Sprewell (Minn) 50,277


WEST CENTERS


Yao
Yao Ming (Hou.) 881,223
Brad Miller (Sac.) 130,824
Erick Dampier (Dal) 109,763
Marcus Camby (Den) 99,782
Vlade Divac (LAL) 67,180
Rasho Nesterovic (SA) 46,747
Dikembe Mutombo (Hou) 42,706
Theo Ratliff (Por) 38,873
Jamaal Magloire (NO) 37,265
Brian Grant (LAL) 28,593

http://www.nba.com/news/allstar_041216.html#results

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Damn, we need to get busy for Manu.

[Manu20]

I'm surprise of Carmelo being ahead of Amare.
Also, of Vince Carter he sucks why would anyone vote for him?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Because he throws down a few nice dunks a year and people think that's cool. (in short, stupid people).

I know Yao gets the Chinese vote, but do you really think he should be starting? I sure don't, not to mention Dirk and Amare should be in the center vote.

[Manu20]

Yao should not start. As of right now it should be Duncan, KG, Dirk, Allen, and Nash.
As for the east who cares.

[smeagol]

Damn, we need to get busy for Manu.
Aggie: Manu is not an All-Star, dammit!

[ducks]

oooooooooooo

[ducks]

Jason Kidd (NJ) 190,608 people are stupid

he has played a few games

he does not deserve to go

[manustarting2gd]

F*** YAO , CARMELO and VINCE... I cant believe Divac has more votes than Rasho and he hasnt even played, lol...

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

smeagol,

Manu is at that level, and there is no one above him that I would rather see in a pick up type game.

Step back and think about how Manu plays the game, and think about him in a Rucker Park type environment. It would be sick to watch, that's why I want him to be an All-Star.

[Jimcs50]

Is China allowed to vote for this thing???

No way should he be getting any votes.

[tlongII]

Vince Carter? Jermaine O'Neal? WTF???

[Jimcs50]

tlong, Grant Hill was leading vote getter the year he was not even playing....fans are morons, for the most part.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

What's funny is I bet Artest is somewhere top 6 or so for East forwards, but was kept off the list by the league so as to avoid embarrassment.

[smeagol]

smeagol,

Manu is at that level, and there is no one above him that I would rather see in a pick up type game.

Step back and think about how Manu plays the game, and think about him in a Rucker Park type environment. It would be sick to watch, that's why I want him to be an All-Star.
Aggie, I was joking.

Look at my sig., my man.

[Duff McCartney]

Why are people even voting for Dampier? The guy is a scrub.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

lol, my bad.

[Manu20]

Realisticlly, who do you guys think has a better shot at being an all star this year Parker or Manu?

I will say Parker because there is fewer good PG in the west than two guards. Nash is the best PG in the west than who? Cassell, Davis, Bibby??????

[whottt]

8 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers | Stats | Roster | NBA Index




SEASON STATS: PER GAME | TOTAL | PER 48 MINUTES REBOUNDS
YEAR G GS MIN FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% STL BLK TO PF OFF DEF TOT AST PTS
04-05 21 21 43.0 8.2-20.8 .397 1.7-5.2 .318 9.0-11.1 .811 1.19 1.2 4.5 2.9 1.6 6.0 7.6 6.8 27.1


When Brent Barry shoots those PCT's people say he sucks.

[Medvedenko]

Now were comparing Kobe to Brent Barry....man that's sad....
Brent Barry is having a bad year...however Kobe doesn't shoot spot up threes like Barry does....Oh and barry isn't triple teamed everytime he has the ball.

[smeagol]

Now were comparing Kobe to Brent Barry....man that's sad....
Brent Barry is having a bad year...however Kobe doesn't shoot spot up threes like Barry does....Oh and barry isn't triple teamed everytime he has the ball.
Slava, hot as Lava:

What's your problem dude?

He is not comparing Kobe to Barry. He is using Kobe's 2004 numbers, in comparison to Barry's, to make a point.

[whottt]

Now were comparing Kobe to Brent Barry....man that's sad....
Brent Barry is having a bad year...however Kobe doesn't shoot spot up threes like Barry does....Oh and barry isn't triple teamed everytime he has the ball.


So basically, it's ok for Kobe to suck as long as he plays for a shitty team?

Got it.

[GrandeDavid]

Damn Chinese!

[whottt]

Slava, hot as Lava:

What's your problem dude?

He is not comparing Kobe to Barry. He is using Kobe's 2004 numbers, in comparison to Barry's, to make a point.


Actually I'm using Kobe's numbers to show that Manu is AS quality, and it's no big deal for him to be there.

Besides...it's not a matter of who deserves it when guys like Yao, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd are getting a ton of votes.

When that happens there's no such thing as "Player X is an All Star"

Manu's fun to watch and it's no disgrace for him to go.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I forget who it was earlier this year but some talking head on ESPN or TNT was saying that we needed to have a USA vs. The World game.

That would be different, and the international team would be stout.

[ZStomp]

I'm surprise of Carmelo being ahead of Amare.
Also, of Vince Carter he sucks why would anyone vote for him?


Vince Carter SUX BALLS.

Since he signed his big contract he has played like a girl.

I hope he doesn't play. I don't want to see his weakness on the court.

[ZStomp]

Damn, we need to get busy for Manu.


I'm a Huge Spurs fan.

I love Manu's game.

But I don't see him going to the All Star game. Don't forget TMAC, K8, Ray Allen.............

[Medvedenko]

How can you say Kobe sucks....man that's naive....anyways....Manu won't make the all-star game, sorry but there are 5 other gaurds having better years. The only way he would is if he got voted in. I like the guy but he's not getting the touches.

[Useruser666]

How can you say Kobe sucks....man that's naive....anyways....Manu won't make the all-star game, sorry but there are 5 other gaurds having better years. The only way he would is if he got voted in. I like the guy but he's not getting the touches.

Yeah, if only Manu could get 30 shots a night.

[Medvedenko]

Yeah, why can't Manu put up 30 shots in a game....shooting the way he does wouldn't that benefit the spurs....no it wouldn't because he's not that type of player, he's not even the 1st option on his team. He's not even in the top 10 sg's in the league. Maybe someday he will be, but right now it's ludicrous to say what you are saying. Man, what's wrong with you people.

[T Park]

who are 9 shooting guards better.

Ray Allen.

Kobe Bryant.

Paul Pierce is questionable.


Who else??


QUESTION

[Medvedenko]

Got everyone's attention....
Richard Hamilton
Paul Pierce
Allen Iverson (really a SG)
Kobe 8
Ray Allen
M Finley
Q Rich
Corey Maggette
Jamal Crawford
M. Redd...
Just to name a few....really it doesn't matter anyway, this is really pointless....everyone hates Kobe. I love Manu, but at this point I don't believe he could run a team and be the first option.

[whottt]

How can you say Kobe sucks....man that's naive....anyways....Manu won't make the all-star game, sorry but there are 5 other gaurds having better years. The only way he would is if he got voted in. I like the guy but he's not getting the touches.


You know, it's amazing...I was sitting here and asking myself...where could I go to get an objective opinion on this subject...and then it hit me like a ton of bricks!

I said, self, you should ask Medvedenko, because if there's one guy to ask and get an objective opinion on Kobe or a Spur making the AS team...It'd be a Laker fan named Medvedenko.

Anyway, your argument holds no water...There are about 60 forwards having a better season up to this point than J O'Neal.

[T Park]

I don't believe he could run a team

dont point guards run teams?


BTW, when Duncan was injured last year, Ginobili WAS the first option.

Might have remembered that 33 point game he put up on the Lakers last year.


LOL@ Maggette > Ginobili

are you kiddin me.

If only Maggette could defend as well.

Talk about Cherry picker.

[ALVAREZ6]

fuck, that douche bag Ray Allen, and kobe the rapist should not be allowed.

I thought man uactually had a chance.

[whottt]

TMac is shooting 41% from the field and 29% from 3....how is he an AS?

And don't say he plays for a shitty team...he plays with the best Center in the West according to fan voting.

Not only that but they(Rockets) beat the Spurs...their bench is so superior to ours that we can't even use our bench when we play them...while they can use their entire bench and still beat us.

Yet still he has a losing record...

TMac isn't any more of an AS this year than Manu.

[Medvedenko]

Hey it's fan's like you who keep voting for VC and TMac....Kobe's a given...Now if the coaches would pick the players, maybe Manu would slip in but like I said, Kobe, Ray Ray, Nash, and TMac would all be ahead of him.

[Jimcs50]

Tmac is an ALLSTAR...get over it.

[T Park]

T Mac didnt go to Maryland, why are you defending him for.

[Medvedenko]

I guess a player who averages 14 pnts and plays less than 30 mins a game deserves to be an allstar. Plus looking at his career numbers he's never had more than 11 fg's made in one game, hell Kobe had 12 threes made in one game. Quite sad really.

[whottt]

No, I vote the way I vote because it is nothing more than a popularity contest with little thought given to individual or team performace. And Manu's fun to watch. It'd be fun to see what he could do without Pop restraining him.

[T Park]

yeah, maybe have 7 or 8 turnovers in a game right Whottt.

Screw the team, lets watch Manu go nuts.

[ALVAREZ6]

Got everyone's attention....
Richard Hamilton
Paul Pierce
Allen Iverson (really a SG)
Kobe 8
Ray Allen
M Finley
Q Rich
Corey Maggette
Jamal Crawford
M. Redd...
Just to name a few....really it doesn't matter anyway, this is really pointless....everyone hates Kobe. I love Manu, but at this point I don't believe he could run a team and be the first option.

Q Rich *cough cough*
maggette *cough cough*
crawford *cough cough*

not that i dont like them, but..

yea, if manu shot as much as kobe or allen , then no doubt, but he's not a selfish player.

[whottt]

I guess a player who averages 14 pnts and plays less than 30 mins a game deserves to be an allstar. Plus looking at his career numbers he's never had more than 11 fg's made in one game, hell Kobe had 12 threes made in one game. Quite sad really.

Show me where it says in the rules that to be an AS a player has to: average more than 14 points a game, play more than 30 minutes per game, and has to have made more than 11 FG in a single game in his career....

I think I can help you find it...I think it's right by the part that says they need to be shooting at least 40% from the field and not be getting their ass kicked by lottery teams.

[ALVAREZ6]

Show me where it says in the rules that to be an AS a player has to: average more than 14 points a game, play more than 30 minutes per game, and has to have made more than 11 FG in a single game in his career....

I think I can help you find it...I think it's right by the part that says they need to be shooting at least 40% from the field and not be getting their ass kicked by lottery teams.
thank you whottt,

slava, the all star game is about EXCITING players.
Is Manu not one of the most exciting players in the game?
Allen isn't that exciting, all he does is shoot 3's. Without the 3 point line, Allen is nothing.

[whottt]

yeah, maybe have 7 or 8 turnovers in a game right Whottt.

Screw the team, lets watch Manu go nuts.

Screw the team? The All Star Team? The fucking All Star team? That's all it is fucking showing off. It's an exhibition game.

Just STFU and save me the win at all cost crap... dude who wanted to tank the season last year when Duncan sprained his ankle.


And BTW,...for a better idea of what Manu can do unrestrained...let me point you towards the Olympics...where Manu kicked Pop's ass....

[ALVAREZ6]

Screw the team? The All Star Team? The fucking All Star team? That's all it is fucking showing off. It's an exhibition game.

Just STFU and save me the win at all cost crap... dude who wanted to tank the season last year when Duncan sprained his ankle.


And BTW,...for a better idea of what Manu can do unrestrained...let me point you towards the Olympics...where Manu kicked Pop's ass....

whottt, you're on a role!

[Jimcs50]

T Mac didnt go to Maryland, why are you defending him for.



Because he is a great player.

Numbnuts, did DRob got to Maryland? Gervin? TD?, Moore? Silas? Elliott? Kenon? Cummings? I love all those guys, they are my players just as my Terp players that I mentioned earlier.

[whottt]

So Jim, in the history of the NBA..how many other great players have lost 19 games in a row?

I guess you're right...most Superstars could never do that.

You clowns just stop acting like there is some kind of legitimacy to the All Star Game...

There isn't. It's an exhibition the most deserving players are not guranteed to start or even make the roster.

[Jimcs50]

So Jim, in the history of the NBA..how many other great players have lost 19 games in a row?

I guess you're right...most Superstars could never do that.

You clowns just stop acting like there is some kind of legitimacy to the All Star Game...

There isn't. It's an exhibition the most deserving players are not guranteed to start or even make the roster.



Whottt, the Allstar game is a popularity contest, it always has been...just accept it and chill.

Every sport is the same....but at least the non starters are chosen on merit.

TMac is a stud and is one of the top players in the game, however.

[ALVAREZ6]

Back to the original topic of this thread,
no matter how much i want manu to be an all star and how pissed i am, i know that he isn't gonig to be one. T-mac is going to be an all-star and so is kobe, even though rapists shouldn't be allowed in the ASG. Then it's going to be Nash and Allen to take the other spots because they are both leading their teams in a great record.

Manu is going to come up short by one spot like last year.

[whottt]

Whottt, the Allstar game is a popularity contest, it always has been...just accept it and chill.

.

It's not even an accurate popularity contest since you can stuff the ballot box.

There is absolutely no criterira for players making the team...therefore, if I want to see Manu got to the AS game...I've got as much of a legitimacy to my stance as anyone else.

And TMac is over-rated. Heavily.

[ALVAREZ6]

It's not even an accurate popularity contest since you can stuff the ballot box.

There is absolutely no criterira for players making the team...therefore, if I want to see Manu got to the AS game...I've got as much of a legitimacy to my stance as anyone else.

And TMac is over-rated. Heavily.

i agree with you the first two parts, but T-Mac isn't overrated, he's amazing.

Were you watching what he did to us last week?

[whottt]

i agree with you the first two parts, but T-Mac isn't overrated, he's amazing.

Were you watching what he did to us last week?

I diagree...he's an amazing athlete...but as a player he's a complete dumbass. Jim tends to like those types.

And yes I saw that game...did you?

Did you see him lose 19 in a row last season?

Do you see that his team sucks this season?

Did you see him act like a playoff series was over and then have his opponent come back and kick his butt out of the playoffs?

Do you see that his old team has a better record than his current one? With the guys he was traded for leading it?

Either he's a dumbass that couldn't help them win, or he's a dumbass for leaving the better team to go to a crappier one.

[Phenomanul]

Got everyone's attention....
Richard Hamilton
Paul Pierce
Allen Iverson (really a SG)
Kobe 8
Ray Allen
M Finley
Q Rich
Corey Maggette
Jamal Crawford
M. Redd...
Just to name a few....really it doesn't matter anyway, this is really pointless....everyone hates Kobe. I love Manu, but at this point I don't believe he could run a team and be the first option.


I read the whole thread, and this really jumped out at me....

MANU was the first option for his national team, and he singlehandedly willed his team to win against a US "All-Star Team"...

Yeah... like your point has any weight now given the fact that what you are stating can never happen already did.... and your assessment was just plain wrong.

Funny how Pop can ruin the styles of NBA caliber-talent players like Manu and Barry and he will have a higher probability of getting into the All-Star game....

Pop is in my doghouse this year..... I mean come on... he wants Barry to play Bowenesque defense... let him play whenever we have a lead and you can be sure that our offense will overtake any other team's offense if he were on the floor with Manu, Parker and Timmy (Granted that if this were the case Pop would not be squeezing his nvtsack for every defensive lapse....)

[ALVAREZ6]

I read the whole thread, and this really jumped out at me....

MANU was the first option for his national team, and he singlehandedly willed his team to win against a US "All-Star Team"...

Yeah... like your point has any weight now given the fact that what you are stating can never happen already did.... and your assessment was just plain wrong.

Funny how Pop can ruin the styles of NBA caliber-talent players like Manu and Barry and he will have a higher probability of getting into the All-Star game....

Pop is in my doghouse this year..... I mean come on... he wants Barry to play Bowenesque defense... let him play whenever we have a lead and you can be sure that our offense will overtake any other team's offense if he were on the floor with Manu, Parker and Timmy (Granted that if this were the case Pop would not be squeezing his nvtsack for every defensive lapse....)

i agree.

If Manu was the 1st option who beat the US National team not only once, but twice , ( Athens 2004, and World Championship 2002 ),
then why doesn't he deserve to be a part of it.

Manu lead Argentina past an NBA all star team, but not just any regular amazing all-star team, an all-star team that combined both confrences, east and west.

but then again, somehow, he doesn't deserve to be on a team with just the west...

Popularity is gay, if manu played on a team like New York, he'd be an allstar, with all the population they have.
SA isn;t a very big city.

[samikeyp]

Now if the coaches would pick the players, maybe Manu would slip in

actually, they do. The fans pick the 5 starters, the All-Star Coach picks the other players.

[Ginofan]

Let's go people, Manu is going to be there but only if we help him!
click click click---------------------------------------v

[Nikos]

There is no way Jamal Crawford or Q are better than Ginobili.

Maggette is close, but only cause he gets touches. As an overall player Manu is better than Maggette.

Even Rip Hamilton is not all that much better than Manu. More proven as a scorer, but I don't see him as being a much better overall player if it all.

Finley might be better, but similiar to Rip, hes not a well rounded player. And hes been injured this season, so he doesn't really apply to the all star list IMO.

The rest of the guards I agree with.

[Nikos]

I guess a player who averages 14 pnts and plays less than 30 mins a game deserves to be an allstar. Plus looking at his career numbers he's never had more than 11 fg's made in one game, hell Kobe had 12 threes made in one game. Quite sad really.

And yet you praise Q and Crawford who at times need 30 shots to get 20pts? :lol

Crawford and Q are inefficient scorers period.

Its fine that they can score 30 or make more than 11 FGs, but on their bad nights they can take 12-13 shots make one, and end up with 1ast 1reb in 45 minutes of play. Just because Manu is efficient with his 14-5-5 in 30mpg, doesn't mean someone who gets 17-3-3 while playing 7-8mpg more than Manu is the better player.

Manu has never even attempted more than 21 shots in his career. Q and Crawford attempt that amount at least once every month, even if they only make 5 out of those 21 shots and offer nothing else in the game in 40 minutes of play.

Quite sad really.

[Jimcs50]

Whottt, I do not like dumbassed players. I like the Spurs, are they dumbasses?

TMac and Francis are not dumbasses...are they polished? No...but that is a coaching problem. If either were on SA, they would be better players, but might not be as popular with mainstream USA because Pop teaches players to play Spurs bball, and that is team bball, not individual bball. The NBA markets individuals, not teams, that is why is differs from the NFL, and therefore, unlike the Pro Bowl, the indivuals that are the scorers are in the ALL Star game.

In the NFL, the team that has best record gets the most players in the Pro Bowl.

TMac was leading scorer, so he is voted high.

Ice was too and he was starter.

[whottt]

Whottt, I do not like dumbassed players. I like the Spurs, are they dumbasses?

Don't ask me that right now.


TMac and Francis are not dumbasses...are they polished? No...but that is a coaching problem.

Rudy T =, Doc Rivers.




Ice was too and he was starter.

Don't even go there.

[baseline bum]

Now were comparing Kobe to Brent Barry....man that's sad....
Brent Barry is having a bad year...however Kobe doesn't shoot spot up threes like Barry does....Oh and barry isn't triple teamed everytime he has the ball.

LMAO that Laker fan goes to the "he gets smothered by the D" card. No Laker fan was willing to consider that back around 2002 when Duncan was hands-down superior to Shaq but had the entire opposing defense focused on stopping him exclusively every night while the big fatass had the rapist making his life easier.

[ALVAREZ6]

Whottt, I do not like dumbassed players. I like the Spurs, are they dumbasses?

TMac and Francis are not dumbasses...are they polished? No...but that is a coaching problem. If either were on SA, they would be better players, but might not be as popular with mainstream USA because Pop teaches players to play Spurs bball, and that is team bball, not individual bball. The NBA markets individuals, not teams, that is why is differs from the NFL, and therefore, unlike the Pro Bowl, the indivuals that are the scorers are in the ALL Star game.

In the NFL, the team that has best record gets the most players in the Pro Bowl.

TMac was leading scorer, so he is voted high.

Ice was too and he was starter.
That's a good point.

And Whottt, you said that Tmac isn't a great basketball player for going 0-19 to start a season.

That is not all his fault, did his team not suck, his team is always gonig to suck because he IS T-Mac.
Think about it, to get another great player to help T-mac, it isn't possible.
Maybe for Yao, but in general, the Rockets dont have much to offer, so T-Mac is always gonna be on a sucky team unless some dumbass coach offers a stupid trade.
Kobe is now in the same situation as tmac,

the spurs are good because u have duncan, and u have other players that arent bad but theyre a lot of them, ginobili, parker, etc.
same with the pistons, no extremely amazing players, just a big group of good ones.

[E20]

The All-Star game is stupid. I'd rather have the players on the Spurs sitting down and resting than running up the court for like 15 minutes and wasting there time.