Marc Stein's picks for All-Star reserves: Aldridge isn't even top 5 omission

http://www.espn.com/blog/marc-stein/...-star-reserves

:lmao Yet he picks Thompson, who's had a worse season and is a worse player in general, reasoning that the Warriors "deserve" four players (yet somehow their closest pursuers don't deserve two) because of their play this week and because he can be an "irresistible showman". All these national writers, who have practically transformed into Warriors beat writers from spending so much time covering them the past few years, like him and Michael Lee of the Vertical, either can't conceal their bias or don't even bother trying, but either way, it's sickening.

Aldridge hasn't had a great season, but he was a no brainer his last 4-5 seasons as a Trail Blazer and the only differences are, he's a more efficient scorer and this season a worse defensive rebounder, yet somehow he's lost credibility because he's no longer averaging 22 and 10? Of course his averages were going to go down, playing less minutes, taking less shots and playing next to better rebounders. There's no common sense.

By a lot of the national media's logic, if the Warriors have four stars to the Spurs one, shouldn't that mean that Leonard is the runaway favorite for MVP? They're once again the only team even near their stratosphere in the regular season, yet he's not even considered top two. Unbelievable.

The saving grace is that coaches pick the reserves. And they probably based their picks on who they gameplan for and who beat them.

Not the media.

Media this year for some reason is too tied up with narratives.

Otherwise, Leonard would be a cealr cut MVP runnaway.

To the media the Warriors are the NBA and the rest of the teams are just a bunch of Generals with occasional lip service to the Cavs.

Also, Pop is the only one that can drive a narrative for San Antonio.

At some point, he should be making statmenets to support his player like all coaches do. But I suspect that he's fallen in love with the narrative that everything revolves around him in San Antonio.

So he sticks with modest and cliche compliments that serve not the players but himself.

Aldridge sucks. Should be dominating every game. hope he doesn't make it in

Aldridge hasn't had an All-star caliber season, tbh..I don't even think there's an argument to be made for him, this season..

in b4 OP blames Porker being fat as the reason

I remeber when folks here were telling me there was no way Aldridge wouldn't make the ASG.

Aldridge not making the all-star is in someway going to help Leonard if leonard makes a bigger psuh for MVP though.

Which is retarded but narratives are retarded. Just pointing out the logic behind it.

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Originally Posted by DAF86

I remeber when folks here were telling me there was no way Aldridge wouldn't make the ASG.

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I still think he will since coaches make the pick.

But who knows..

By the numbers Raymond has no place on the all stars. Numbers are mediocre and he's the second best defender on the Warriors after Durant. Are s number of better bigs, Davis, Cousins, Gobert, Towns, Jordan. Anyone of those would make the Warriors better than with Raymond.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge hasn't had an All-star caliber season, tbh..I don't even think there's an argument to be made for him, this season..

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Merit is largely irrelevant, as reputation and team success have always played a major role in All-Star selections and he checks both boxes.

It's hypocritical to apply that criteria when it's a Warrior, then disregard it when it's a Spur.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

By the numbers Raymond has no place on the all stars. Numbers are mediocre and he's the second best defender on the Warriors after Durant. Are s number of better bigs, Davis, Cousins, Gobert, Towns, Jordan. Anyone of those would make the Warriors better than with Raymond.

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He's a glorified role player that gets hyped up by the media and his organization. It's apparent judging by the player votes that not even his peers think he's a legit all-star.

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Aldridge not making the all-star is in someway going to help Leonard if leonard makes a bigger psuh for MVP though.

Which is retarded but narratives are retarded. Just pointing out the logic behind it.

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Frankly I am more interested in what an all-star snub might do for/to Aldridge's attitude/play. Also, if he doesn't already, would a snub make him regret signing with the Spurs. Make him want out of town?

Why do we want any Spurs at that boring game. I want them all home relaxing. Let the Warrrior fools run up and down in a meaningless game where Durant and Westbrook are going to hog the ball to prove to each other who the best player is. Hopefully both will be rewarded with an injury. Be honest, between Durant playing with a bunch of Warriors to pass to him and Westbrook determined to win the only MVP he's capable of winning, how many shots does Kawhi get? And LMA, as a big, won't get any passes. It's just an unnecessary injury risk.

Marc Stein kept the Warriors at #1 in his Power Rankings the whole year last year, even during the week when the Spurs beat them and everyone else had the Spurs #1. He wanted to keep them at #1 for the sake of being able to say they were #1 the whole year.

This time, he's giving favorable treatment to Houston, putting the Rockets above the Spurs in his Power Rankings even though the latter is clearly better than the former.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge hasn't had an All-star caliber season, tbh..I don't even think there's an argument to be made for him, this season..

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Yup, Aldridge has played like a solid roleplayer all year, not a legit #2 option All star.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

By the numbers Raymond has no place on the all stars. Numbers are mediocre and he's the second best defender on the Warriors after Durant. Are s number of better bigs, Davis, Cousins, Gobert, Towns, Jordan. Anyone of those would make the Warriors better than with Raymond.

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:lmao

He's their best playmaker and defensive anchor..mediocre numbers? He's averaging 7.7 APG from the PF position :lol

KL wants to win MVP. Believe he's even said as much in the past.

Pop doesn't give a shit. Nor should he.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

:lmao

He's their best playmaker and defensive anchor..mediocre numbers? He's averaging 7.7 APG from the PF position :lol

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And Davis Towns, Cousins, Gobert and Jordan are better bigs. :lol
I'd take anyone of those on the Spurs way before Raymond.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

And Davis Towns, Cousins, Gobert and Jordan are better bigs. :lol

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Jordan isn't even close to Draymond:lol

The others might be better, but only Gobert could do some of what Draymond does for GS(he's useless on offense other than dunking, though)..Davis, Cousins and Towns are terrible defensive players..

Draymond Green is the best passing big in the NBA, along with being an elite defender..we haven't seen many players with that combination of skills..

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Jordan isn't even close to Draymond:lol

The others might be better, but only Gobert could do some of what Draymond does for GS(he's useless on offense other than dunking, though)..Davis, Cousins and Towns are terrible defensive players..

Draymond Green is the best passing big in the NBA, along with being an elite defender..we haven't seen many players with that combination of skills..

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I know Raymond is your kind of blowhard player, a la West, but now, without Bogut, Durant is saving Green's ass protecting the rim.

KL wants to win MVP. Believe he's even said as much in the past.

Pop doesn't give a shit. Nor should he.

I'd argue that of all the players on the Warriors roster, the one they could afford to lose the least would be Draymond. He's arguably DPOY so far.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge hasn't had an All-star caliber season, tbh..I don't even think there's an argument to be made for him, this season..

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The reason isn't even his fault, the West is just super stacked this year

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

I'd argue that of all the players on the Warriors roster, the one they could afford to lose the least would be Draymond. He's arguably DPOY so far.

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I think Raymond showed his talent relative to other bigs when he was on the USA Olympic team.

Fuck the MVP and Fuck the ASG. Just gimme the :lobt2:

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

I'd argue that of all the players on the Warriors roster, the one they could afford to lose the least would be Draymond. He's arguably DPOY so far.

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Hes a shoo-in tbh. Warrior fans are pleading to the media for it like their lives depend on it.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

I think Raymond showed his talent relative to other bigs when he was on the USA Olympic team.

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Really a great example of an actual system player being exposed. He really looked like he didn't belong on the same court as those guys 99% of the time. Still, his defensive versatility in the NBA can't be denied.

He's just such a perfect fit with GS's offensive scheme and talent. His assist numbers are really impressive. With that being said, I can't stand the guy and I'd love to see him not be an all star.

SO the teams with the best record...
Warriors 4 all-stars
Cavs 3 all-stars
Raptors 2 all-stars

Not to mention the Jazz get 2


Yet, the Spurs only get 1. Seems to me if that's the case it boosts either Kawhi's MVP candidacy or Pop's COY case or both.

I think LMA should be on there. If he isn't, I hope it motivates him, but he keeps playing the team game (all those assists) he's been doing lately.

LMA is gonna make it.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

SO the teams with the best record...
Warriors 4 all-stars
Cavs 3 all-stars
Raptors 2 all-stars

Not to mention the Jazz get 2


Yet, the Spurs only get 1. Seems to me if that's the case it boosts either Kawhi's MVP candidacy or Pop's COY case or both.

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To have the record we have and only have 1 all star would be a joke. What was Atlanta's record a couple of years ago when they got 4?? :lol But you're right. It would make Kawhi and Pop look pretty great.

I can see the coaches giving LMA some love on the voting, but not the players and media. Hope I'm wrong.

Game Time guys don't have LMA as a reserve either" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqaC7W--744

Of course, they have Paul George as a reserve in the West too. So take it with a grain of salt.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

Game Time guys don't have LMA as a reserve either" https://watch.nba.com/video/2017/01/...-reserve-picks

Of course, they have Paul George as a reserve in the West too. So take it with a grain of salt.

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Either I'm doing something wrong, or you need League Pass to view the video you linked to.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

Probably the later. My bad. I'll see if I can find it on Youtube

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Would this be the first time a team with a record like ours, 2nd in entire league, only had 1 all star? I'm curious if this would set a precedent of some sort. All hail God coach Pop.

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Originally Posted by John Petrucci

Either I'm doing something wrong, or you need League Pass to view the video you linked to.

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Fixed it

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Originally Posted by BillMc

Fixed it

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Appreciate it :toast

I hate Sekou's reasoning on PG. Putting a guy in the all star game because of who he ideally is, not how he or how his team has performed. Reminds me of Kobe's many all defense selections.

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Originally Posted by John Petrucci

Would this be the first time a team with a record like ours, 2nd in entire league, only had 1 all star? I'm curious if this would set a precedent of some sort. All hail God coach Pop.

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I don't think it's the first time. These things happen every few seasons.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

I don't think it's the first time. These things happen every few seasons.

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Yea...has to have happened with LBJ early in his career a couple of times now that I think about it.

i dont think aldridge makes it this year. he's certainly not getting in ahead of cousins, green, gobert, towns... and he'd have to beat out a bunch of guards for that last wildcard spot, too

Meh, if he doesn't make it, it doesn't matter. I know because of their record people think 2 Spurs should be on. But it's not like LMA has been the clear cut 2nd best player on the team all season. There are other more deserving players in the West imo.

I can still see Aldridge getting on the roster though.

Westbrook
Klay Thompson
Draymond Green
DeMarcus Cousins
Marc Gasol
Hayward or Gobert
Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan

Would be BS if Lillard makes it again which I'm sure he will still complain about if he doesn't make it.

Kawhi will be watching Durant and Westbrook fight over who gets to shoot the ball in their battle for the meaningless All Star game MVP. Waste of his time. Why send a second player who will never touch the ball on offense unless he rebounds one of Westbrooks bricks? I think Kawhi should fake an injury and stay home.

I feel like this sort of thing matters to LMA, so hopefully he gets in.

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Originally Posted by cd98

Kawhi will be watching Durant and Westbrook fight over who gets to shoot the ball in their battle for the meaningless All Star game MVP. Waste of his time. Why send a second player who will never touch the ball on offense unless he rebounds one of Westbrooks bricks? I think Kawhi should fake an injury and stay home.

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Westbrook and Durant as teammates is the main reason I'm going to watch the game. I wonder if Kerr will try to stagger their minutes to protect Durant's ego?

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Originally Posted by Seventyniner

Westbrook and Durant as teammates is the main reason I'm going to watch the game. I wonder if Kerr will try to stagger their minutes to protect Durant's ego?

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I almost agree with you except I just can't watch that no defense garbage. But it would be funny to see if all the GSW players pass to Durant to help him get the MVP and how often Westbrook will shoot and ignore everyone on the court except a player open for a dunk so he can pad his assist stats and make it look like he was a "team" player.

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Originally Posted by Splits

in b4 OP blames Porker being fat as the reason

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I blame Fatdrige. He's being getting back into Aldridge but maybe it's too late.

Aldridge played much better in the last month or so, but I don't think that's enough to make the all-star team. He started pretty slow this season. I don't give a damn if he makes it or not tbh.

I'd like to see Bertans in the 3p contest someday and Simmons in the dunk contest.

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Originally Posted by cd98

Why do we want any Spurs at that boring game. I want them all home relaxing. Let the Warrrior fools run up and down in a meaningless game where Durant and Westbrook are going to hog the ball to prove to each other who the best player is. Hopefully both will be rewarded with an injury. Be honest, between Durant playing with a bunch of Warriors to pass to him and Westbrook determined to win the only MVP he's capable of winning, how many shots does Kawhi get? And LMA, as a big, won't get any passes. It's just an unnecessary injury risk.

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I think it's more about getting picked than actually playing, for the Spurs.

I'd think Kawhi goes to take it very easy and let Westbrook compulsively try to get the MVP, per usual.

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Originally Posted by BatManu20

Hes a shoo-in tbh. Warrior fans are pleading to the media for it like their lives depend on it.

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Which is something I've always respected about the Spurs. They never whore out their players to the media/voters to get votes. I still remember the Pacers going all out to get Ron Artest that DPOY over Bowen.

LMA is not an All-Star this season ... lol at Klay Thompson not deserving it ... his 60 point game alone warrants him a spot tbh

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Originally Posted by Fireball

LMA is not an All-Star this season ... lol at Klay Thompson not deserving it ... his 60 point game alone warrants him a spot tbh

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Tell me all the warrior all-stars? That you think will make it.

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

I'd argue that of all the players on the Warriors roster, the one they could afford to lose the least would be Draymond. He's arguably DPOY so far.

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This is probably true, but like Bosh, that's more a reflection of their roster construction than him. He's still the clear third best player on the roster and is in an ideal situation.


:lol At people pretending as if it's solely about merit, with the exception of the no brainers. You know who else got off to a slow start and is a worse player to begin with? Thompson, yet no one seems to take issue with him making it (and he will make it, because he's the most overrated player in the league) or suggesting who should, if Aldridge shouldn't.

Again, basing it off of the way it's been done as long as I can remember, it should be: Green, Conley (Paul replacement), Gasol, Westbrook, Cousins, Aldridge, Hayward.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

SO the teams with the best record...
Warriors 4 all-stars
Cavs 3 all-stars
Raptors 2 all-stars

Not to mention the Jazz get 2


Yet, the Spurs only get 1. Seems to me if that's the case it boosts either Kawhi's MVP candidacy or Pop's COY case or both.

I think LMA should be on there. If he isn't, I hope it motivates him, but he keeps playing the team game (all those assists) he's been doing lately.

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:tu

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Originally Posted by dabom

Tell me all the warrior all-stars? That you think will make it.

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draymond and klay should be in the mix ... I do not know if they make it but they deserve it more than LMA ...
if LMA gets somehow selected he will think its enough how he has played this season so far but he needs to step it up

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Originally Posted by Fireball

draymond and klay should be in the mix ... I do not know if they make it but they deserve it more than LMA ...
if LMA gets somehow selected he will think its enough how he has played this season so far but he needs to step it up

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Don't cop out. Tell me every Warrior YOU would put in the Allstar game.

Aldridge is not having an all star season, non-issue

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Merit is largely irrelevant, as reputation and team success have always played a major role in All-Star selections and he checks both boxes.

It's hypocritical to apply that criteria when it's a Warrior, then disregard it when it's a Spur.

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I think there's a decent chance that Aldridge will make it for the reasons you mentioned(specifically reputation)..However, I just don't believe he's had anything close to an All-Star caliber 1st half of the season..

If it was strictly based on merit, he wouldn't get in..The name on the back of his jersey still gives him a chance to actually make the team, though..

Maybe him not getting in will light a fire under his ass.

Probably not.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

http://www.espn.com/blog/marc-stein/...-star-reserves

:lmao Yet he picks Thompson, who's had a worse season and is a worse player in general, reasoning that the Warriors "deserve" four players (yet somehow their closest pursuers don't deserve two) because of their play this week and because he can be an "irresistible showman". All these national writers, who have practically transformed into Warriors beat writers from spending so much time covering them the past few years, like him and Michael Lee of the Vertical, either can't conceal their bias or don't even bother trying, but either way, it's sickening.

Aldridge hasn't had a great season, but he was a no brainer his last 4-5 seasons as a Trail Blazer and the only differences are, he's a more efficient scorer and this season a worse defensive rebounder, yet somehow he's lost credibility because he's no longer averaging 22 and 10? Of course his averages were going to go down, playing less minutes, taking less shots and playing next to better rebounders. There's no common sense.

By a lot of the national media's logic, if the Warriors have four stars to the Spurs one, shouldn't that mean that Leonard is the runaway favorite for MVP? They're once again the only team even near their stratosphere in the regular season, yet he's not even considered top two. Unbelievable.

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Marc Stein is clearly an idiot, tbh.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

http://www.espn.com/blog/marc-stein/...-star-reserves

:lmao Yet he picks Thompson, who's had a worse season and is a worse player in general, reasoning that the Warriors "deserve" four players (yet somehow their closest pursuers don't deserve two) because of their play this week and because he can be an "irresistible showman". All these national writers, who have practically transformed into Warriors beat writers from spending so much time covering them the past few years, like him and Michael Lee of the Vertical, either can't conceal their bias or don't even bother trying, but either way, it's sickening.

Aldridge hasn't had a great season, but he was a no brainer his last 4-5 seasons as a Trail Blazer and the only differences are, he's a more efficient scorer and this season a worse defensive rebounder, yet somehow he's lost credibility because he's no longer averaging 22 and 10? Of course his averages were going to go down, playing less minutes, taking less shots and playing next to better rebounders. There's no common sense.

By a lot of the national media's logic, if the Warriors have four stars to the Spurs one, shouldn't that mean that Leonard is the runaway favorite for MVP? They're once again the only team even near their stratosphere in the regular season, yet he's not even considered top two. Unbelievable.

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:lmao if he becomes the fourth Warrior at ASG with GSW just two games ahead of us in the loss column..

The all star game is a shame and the voting is a sham. The fact that voters think its important to have four warriors because they have two less losses than the number 2 Spurs while sending only one Spur is an example of the bias in voting. Plus, the criteria is now changing with people saying that they want to send the more exciting players to the all star game. If that's the case, then what does it even mean to be an all-star and why is that a criteria used in judging the quality of a player. The reality is the all-star game and its credibility has been on a downward slant. How long will it take for fans to tune out of Westbrook and Durant each taking 40 shots in an effort to outdo each other for the MVP. I mean the Kobe vs. MJ dynamic years ago was a little compelling as they played against each other and wanted to show each other up, but at this point, Durant and Westbrook are just chucking for numbers and fighting with each other for the ball. What will happen to the Warriors' relationships if they don't feed the ball to Durant?

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Originally Posted by Uriel

Marc Stein kept the Warriors at #1 in his Power Rankings the whole year last year, even during the week when the Spurs beat them and everyone else had the Spurs #1. He wanted to keep them at #1 for the sake of being able to say they were #1 the whole year.

This time, he's giving favorable treatment to Houston, putting the Rockets above the Spurs in his Power Rankings even though the latter is clearly better than the former.

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What? Spurs are #2 this week. They went 4-3 the week before, the drop to 4th was deserved.

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Originally Posted by cd98

The all star game is a shame and the voting is a sham. The fact that voters think its important to have four warriors because they have two less losses than the number 2 Spurs while sending only one Spur is an example of the bias in voting. Plus, the criteria is now changing with people saying that they want to send the more exciting players to the all star game. If that's the case, then what does it even mean to be an all-star and why is that a criteria used in judging the quality of a player. The reality is the all-star game and its credibility has been on a downward slant. How long will it take for fans to tune out of Westbrook and Durant each taking 40 shots in an effort to outdo each other for the MVP. I mean the Kobe vs. MJ dynamic years ago was a little compelling as they played against each other and wanted to show each other up, but at this point, Durant and Westbrook are just chucking for numbers and fighting with each other for the ball. What will happen to the Warriors' relationships if they don't feed the ball to Durant?

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I disagree with Klay getting in. He hasn't done enough this season.

But I also disagree that LMA deserves a spot. There are too many other good bigs this year.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

If it was strictly based on merit, he wouldn't get in..The name on the back of his jersey still gives him a chance to actually make the team, though..

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Nah, I think it's the name on the front of the jersey that will matter. Being the 2nd best player on a near .800 team is usually enough for a spot by itself.

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Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

I disagree with Klay getting in. He hasn't done enough this season.

But I also disagree that LMA deserves a spot. There are too many other good bigs this year.

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There are better players than both of those guys that will be left off the team, which is why the all-star nod is getting more and more meaningless.

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Originally Posted by spurraider21

i dont think aldridge makes it this year. he's certainly not getting in ahead of cousins, green, gobert, towns... and he'd have to beat out a bunch of guards for that last wildcard spot, too

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was pretty sure he wouldn't make it... but didnt think jordan/hayward woulda made it

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

:lmao

He's their best playmaker and defensive anchor..mediocre numbers? He's averaging 7.7 APG from the PF position :lol

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LOL you're so ignorant. If I were on the floor with Durant, Thompson, Curry I would average 20 apg. LOL APG in that lineup... you be dumb bro

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Originally Posted by TD 21

http://www.espn.com/blog/marc-stein/...-star-reserves

:lmao Yet he picks Thompson, who's had a worse season and is a worse player in general

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Klay has the second highest on/off number on the team only behind Curry: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...W/2017/on-off/

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

Klay has the second highest on/off number on the team only behind Curry: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...W/2017/on-off/

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Okay...and?

Lamarcus didn't make it in.

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

Klay has the second highest on/off number on the team only behind Curry: http://www.basketball-reference.com/...W/2017/on-off/

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:lmao Just a sample of the most overrated player in the league's season . . .

TS%: 63rd
PER: 101st
WS/48:118th
VORP: 128th
BPM: 137th

He not only had no business being selected, but even receiving serious consideration and if he were anything but a Warrior, he wouldn't have.