Duncan is not starter: Ian Thomsen's West All Star Pick

[timmy21_4rings]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/01/09/all.star.race/1.html

Western Conference

Center

Fans' Current Pick: Yao Ming

My Starter: Amaré Stoudemire. We understand what Steve Nash will do in the playoffs, just like we understand what Shawn Marion and even Grant Hill will do. But what will Stoudemire do? Will he create an MVP presence at both ends of the floor in the spring? Or will Tim Duncan prevail once again?

My Sub: Yao. In response to the Rockets' substandard 18-17 record, I have half a mind to replace Yao with Chris Kaman, who has been arguably more productive for the undermanned Clippers. But it goes against the spirit of the proceedings to replace the outside world's most popular star with a Clipper.

On the Cusp: Kaman, Marcus Camby

Power Forward

Fans' Current Pick: Duncan

My Starter: Carlos Boozer. It's not like Boozer played for a juco in the Dakotas: He spent three years on national TV at Duke. And it's not like he wasn't productive at Duke: He averaged 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds his final year while sharing the ball with Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy, Chris Duhon and Dahntay Jones. So how exactly did all of those NBA scouting departments pick 34 players in the 2002 draft ahead of someone who is now averaging a monstrous 23.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists? How do these things happen?

My Subs: Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki. It's a beautiful thing that the fans elect Duncan to the starting lineup after years of hearing how they would never relate to someone who played with quiet dignity. As for Nowitzki, is he going to launch Dallas on a second-half surge? It would be timely.

On the Cusp: David West

Small Forward

Fans' Current Pick: Carmelo Anthony

My Starter: Anthony. He must be on the Pierce diet: Anthony came in as a one-dimensional scorer but is now good for 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals, in addition to his 25.2 points.

My Subs: No one. With apologies to Josh Howard, I need all the room I can make for the wealth of guards in the West.

On the Cusp: Howard, Stephen Jackson

Shooting Guard

Fans' Current Pick: Kobe Bryant

My Starter: Bryant. Nothing would be more fascinating than to see Kobe turn the Lakers' 22-11 start into a deep playoff run. Don't put it past him.

My Subs: Allen Iverson, Manu Ginobili. Amid talk that Iverson was losing a step, he's putting up 27.1 points, 6.8 assists and 2.2 steals for the 21-13 Nuggets. As for Tracy McGrady, the underperformance of his team combined with his injuries leave him behind the inspiringly ingenious Ginobili.

On the Cusp: McGrady, Brandon Roy

Point Guard

Fans' Current Pick: McGrady

My Starter: Nash. The NBA balloting doesn't distinguish point guards from shooting guards, but this is my All-Star team. I'm the decider. I almost decided to start Chris Paul in recognition of his spectacular leadership, but the reigning champ prevails in a close decision: Nash remains in MVP contention for contributing 16.9 points and 12.2 assists to the West-leading Suns.

My Subs: Paul, Baron Davis. If Paul were to average a triple-double in New Orleans, would it make a sound? Davis has been sensational, making it a photo finish between him and Tony Parker.

On the Cusp: Parker, Deron Williams

[ChumpDumper]

I have trouble with the idea of All-Star starters being from teams currently in the lottery.

[timmy21_4rings]

I have trouble with the idea of All-Star starters being from teams currently in the lottery.

True...

That too every important player is healthy in Utah team and they are still a lottery team as of today....

[PM5K]

It's a popularity contest, that's all that matters...

[CubanMustGo]

C'mon guys, be honest. Has Duncan truly played at the level of the best PF this year ?

[freemeat]

I can't take the All-Star game seriously at all, so I don't really care if any Spurs are in or out. In fact, I'd rather have none of the Spurs play to avoid injury.

That being said, maybe the game should just be a pool of the league's best scorers...if you know how to play defense, stay as far away as possible.

Stephen Jackson should definitely be there, too.

[spursfan09]

C'mon guys, be honest. Has Duncan truly played at the level of the best PF this year ?
But do Dirk or Boozer deserve it over him? Plus I always thought that when considering someone for the All Star game, you should look at what they did after the last all star game. that includes the 07 playoffs even if it was last year. Going by this season Spurs have had the best record in the west for most of the time so I think he deserves to start

[polandprzem]

It's a popularity contest, that's all that matters...

Nope it is something more.

I mean for the players and for the fans it should be a nice relaxing time. having fun and giving fuel for the more important part of the season.
The NBA needs to make ASW's

[ratm1221]

No way I would take Boozer over Duncan. This guy must live in Utah.

[resistanze]

Why knock Yao for his team's record then put Boozer over Duncan?

[ambchang]

So Yao doesn't deserve to start because Houston sucks, but he was thinking of replacing him with Kaman? WTH?

[howbouthemspurs]

Ginobili's ingenious is going to earn him an allstar MVP if he gets selected.... im predicting it now!

[Extra Stout]

The only power forward consistently better than Carlos Boozer is whomever Carlos Boozer is guarding on a given night.

[sprrs]

But guys, Boozer went to Duke....he should definitely be starting.

[dbreiden83080]

C'mon guys, be honest. Has Duncan truly played at the level of the best PF this year ?

You can make a case that he hasn't but since he has come back from injury he has actually been pretty awesome, he is putting up something like 22 and 15 in his last 10 games.

[Doug Collins]

Boozer is the #10 Fantasy player in Yahoo leagues. It's a no brainer...but not over Duncan.

[freemeat]

Boozer is the #10 Fantasy player in Yahoo leagues. It's a no brainer...but not over Duncan.

Is there a fantasy league all-star game?

[MoSpur]

Carlos Boozer was putting up really good numbers early on. I haven't really paid attention lately.

[timmy21_4rings]

C'mon guys, be honest. Has Duncan truly played at the level of the best PF this year ?

Normally west power forwards do better job..this year is different. Either they are not playing well or their team is not...You can not really fault choosing TD. Boozer's team is playing like a lottery team even when all their important players are healthy.


If you are telling that he might not be included, you should put a very convincing case for another player. Among the players that Ian Thomsen mentioned, I feel Duncan could be a good candidate.

Here are the players that he mentioned:
Boozer : His team is playing like a lottery team.
Dirk : Not as good as last year..he is just okay
David West: we know who the man is in Hornets.
Duncan: At least better than above so far.

[timmy21_4rings]

The only power forward consistently better than Carlos Boozer is whomever Carlos Boozer is guarding on a given night.

so Amare in center position?

[BonnerDynasty]

all-star games is meaningless.

[jay014]

all-star games is meaningless.
Not to David Stern.http://www.insidepokermag.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_3/total_gambler_1846_7.jpg

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Ian Thomsen

Who?

Carlos Boozer? :lol

[J.T.]

I guess all these writers forgot that the ASG starters are always determined by fan voting. What a pointless article. I guess they ran out of stuff to write about the Celtics.

[WalterBenitez]

Duncan is the best in his position, he must start, besides fans are saying that thru ballots.

[bigfundamental21]

Not starting Duncan? What a ridiculous notion. He is far and away the best power forward in the west and should be starting every all star game until he retires. There is no way Boozer should be starting.

[freemeat]

Let Duncan have a few days to rest his old-man knees.

[Texas_Ranger]

Thats just :lmao.

[Rummpd]

Duncan dominates in ways that do not show up in stats every single game and is still the best big in the game period.

[dbreiden83080]

I still find it funny year after year Timmy gets voted in to start the all star game by the fans and we hear non-stop still how nobody likes him. :drunk

[SAGambler]

all-star games is meaningless.

Unless your franchise player goes down for the remainder of the season. Then suddenly it becomes very meaningful.

My hope would be that whomever is selected from the Spurs, spend 5 minutes or less on the court.

[nkdlunch]

Duncan is still best PF in the West no doubt.

[Josepatches]

All Star is very important for the NBA.Behind The Finals it's the event more important.At least it's the most broadcasted event of the NBA around the world behind The finals.
So TD has to be there.I would like that him rest 2 or 3 games of the regular season more than ASG.
At the end of his career it will be more important the number of ASG than 82 games in the regular season 2007-2008.And it would be great to get the All-Star MVP

[duncan228]

All Star is very important for the NBA.Behind The Finals it's the event more important.At least it's the most broadcasted event of the NBA around the world behind The finals.
So TD has to be there.I would like that him rest 2 or 3 games of the regular season more than ASG.
At the end of his career it will be more important the number of ASG than 82 games in the regular season 2007-2008.And it would be great to get the All-Star MVP

Duncan was co-mvp with Shaq at the 2000 ASG.
That's all he'll get there, his days of dominating an ASG are gone.

His resume is incredible, it's only lacking a couple of things.
I would have liked to see a DPOY, but those days are gone also.
He didn't get an Olympic Gold, that would have been nice.

What he needs that is still possible is the repeat.
I know he has more Championships in him, I'd like to see one of them be a repeat.