All Star Voting Has Started

[hater]

looks like Stern found good use for the 2000 Florida Voting Machines

[Blackjack]

If the Spurs didn't have it changed a few years back when he was, then he would be. The reality of the situation is that both Duncan and Gasol are centers. They're truly four and a halves, but the way the game is played today, combined with Duncan's decline in mobility, makes him a clear five. You are what you primarily guard and in his case, he guards strictly centers.

I wouldn't be so sure that he won't keep the streak alive just because he's listed as a forward. If Nowitzki couldn't garner more votes when it was in Dallas and the Mavs organization was desperately trying to get him voted in, then he never will. That leaves Anthony, Durant and Gasol. The latter two are likely to see a e in their vote totals this season, but I wouldn't say it's a given they'll beat Duncan out. I think he's been 6th and 5th the past two seasons, or somewhere thereabouts.

Not that it's that important, but the league should have called the Spurs up before the season, told them that he'd have a good chance to be the West's starting center and that it would balance the roster better. Who knows, maybe they'd have gone along with it now? A few years back, he was still somewhat between positions and Yao's popularity was such that he'd have had virtually no chance.

I believe you're over-thinking it, or at least the point I was trying to make.

I was speaking solely to the starting streak and the likelihood of him beating out Pau, Dirk and Durant at this stage. I'm not arguing the ability, talent or who I would rather have in a postseaon game.

Look at it this way, Pau's a virtual lock (rightfully) to start. Even if it was close, he's a Laker and is going to have the numbers.

Now, that leaves one spot, and remember how Tim barely beat out Dirk at the last minute last year on the vote. Also, think about the injuries the Spurs have had the last two years that forced Tim to play harder and at a higher level early in the season. Those cir stances dictated Tim putting up some pretty impressive numbers and put forth the notion to the vast majority of fans that he was still Tim Duncan.

So if you look at it now, Tim's finally being afforded the opportunity to take a bit of a backseat and coast to some degree. After 2 years of having their long-term plan for Duncan's regular season slow-build go up in smoke, they'll finally be able to not deviate from the gameplan (knock on wood). And with that thinking it's hard for me to see Tim putting up the numbers and putting forth the perception to the masses (the average NBA fan) that he should warrant a start over Dirk or Durant -- Dirk will be leading a team amongst the league-leaders in wins, putting up more impressive numbers, and Durant may be the most popular player on the ballot; also putting up some pretty gaudy numbers of his own.

But Tim does deserve to start, and for the position he now plays: center.

Maybe it should have happened a year sooner, and maybe it was a blessing then that he didn't given the Yao factor, but there's no doubt it should happen now -- both because he's deserving and it allows the West to field their best starting 5, all of whom would be playing at their natural positions (at this point in time).

Illegal aliens are voting with your IP.

We need a bigger cyber fence .

[99-03-05-07]

I'm voting for Timmy every day. Let the streak stay alive!

i agree 110% we've gotta find someone to send to the all-star game.

[z0sa]

I have no clue why anyone cares about "the streak." Tim has had what, a dozen in a row? He barely even plays during the ASG anymore.

Dude has been breaking down at the end of the season and needs the All-star break to be just that.

[duncan228]

Dude has been breaking down at the end of the season and needs the All-star break to be just that.

I like to see him get the weekend off too, but it won't happen. Assuming he continues to play even fairly well the Coaches will pick him. There's also the adidas stuff he does there every year. Starting or not, he's going to be there anyway.

[TD 21]

I believe you're over-thinking it, or at least the point I was trying to make.

I was speaking solely to the starting streak and the likelihood of him beating out Pau, Dirk and Durant at this stage. I'm not arguing the ability, talent or who I would rather have in a postseaon game.

Look at it this way, Pau's a virtual lock (rightfully) to start. Even if it was close, he's a Laker and is going to have the numbers.

Now, that leaves one spot, and remember how Tim barely beat out Dirk at the last minute last year on the vote. Also, think about the injuries the Spurs have had the last two years that forced Tim to play harder and at a higher level early in the season. Those cir stances dictated Tim putting up some pretty impressive numbers and put forth the notion to the vast majority of fans that he was still Tim Duncan.

So if you look at it now, Tim's finally being afforded the opportunity to take a bit of a backseat and coast to some degree. After 2 years of having their long-term plan for Duncan's regular season slow-build go up in smoke, they'll finally be able to not deviate from the gameplan (knock on wood). And with that thinking it's hard for me to see Tim putting up the numbers and putting forth the perception to the masses (the average NBA fan) that he should warrant a start over Dirk or Durant -- Dirk will be leading a team amongst the league-leaders in wins, putting up more impressive numbers, and Durant may be the most popular player on the ballot; also putting up some pretty gaudy numbers of his own.

But Tim does deserve to start, and for the position he now plays: center.

Maybe it should have happened a year sooner, and maybe it was a blessing then that he didn't given the Yao factor, but there's no doubt it should happen now -- both because he's deserving and it allows the West to field their best starting 5, all of whom would be playing at their natural positions (at this point in time).

I was speaking to the same thing. That wasn't some defend Duncan post. I was speaking solely to the fan vote and that is, until we see Gasol garner more votes, don't assume he will. I'm fairly certain the past two seasons, he wasn't even close (and he was a Laker then, too), so there's no guarantee he'll leapfrog Duncan this season, either. Nowitzki, as I said, if last year wasn't the year, he probably never will. Anthony had more votes last season and Durant will probably leapfrog him this season, but Duncan has had a huge number of votes the past two seasons, so I wouldn't rule out him being voted in again. That's all I'm saying. I'm not arguing ability, talent or who I'd rather have in a post-season game, either.

[Blackjack]

Well I obviously hope you're right. I'm skeptical because of how I think perception has and will continue to change. But if Pau doesn't get more votes than Duncan or Nowitzki or Durant to be one of the two forwards, I'll be pleasantly surprised (as a fan).

I do believe -- on merit -- that Pau should be a no-brainer starter, though.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

No Jefferson? That's ing bull .

[007nites]

I vote for Duncan everyday.

[Pauleta14]

I vote for Timmy, Manu and Tony everyday.

[Mr.Robinson]

Vote Tim in. He will only play about 10 minutes and not even try. He is getting plenty of rest by playing only 29 mins a game.

[urunobili]

I am not voting Tim. He needs the rest that weekend.

[Seventyniner]

I have no clue why anyone cares about "the streak." Tim has had what, a dozen in a row? He barely even plays during the ASG anymore.

Dude has been breaking down at the end of the season and needs the All-star break to be just that.

There's a decent chance that Pop will coach the West, so if Duncan is a starter, Pop could just play him 2 minutes in each quarter. He could also play Pau all 48, having Pau sprint down the floor every play.

Would Duncan be mad if he's not an All-Star starter, but the coaches vote him in as a reserve center?

[TD 21]

I am not voting Tim. He needs the rest that weekend.

What you're saying makes no sense. He's going to be there either way and he'll likely play roughly 15 minutes either way, so why would you not want him to keep his starting streak alive?

[iminol]

Bump.

Don't forget to vote every day.

[Rummpd]

I am voting against the Heat stars as much as for anyone else this year until ESPN starts a "Spurs Index" (or until freezes over I realize).

[BRs.Ganso]

dont forget, vote Nene Hilario (C) for allstar game... he made 27 points 11 rebounds and 6 assists yesterday xD

[timtonymanu]

dont forget, vote Nene Hilario (C) for allstar game... he made 27 points 11 rebounds and 6 assists yesterday xD

I was actually gonna vote for Chandler but he isnt on the ballot either. That West center list sucks.

[Mark in Austin]

No Jefferson? That's ing bull .

Pretty sure the ballot is decided on before the season starts. What in RJ's performance last season would have indicated such a great start to this one?

[Rummpd]

I am writing in Chandler of the Mavs he is playing as well at center as anyone out West not named Dargo or Drago or whatever the it is from MN.

[BRs.Ganso]

I was actually gonna vote for Chandler but he isnt on the ballot either. That West center list sucks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQq1-LFNj_U

14.6 points 7.1 reb and 2.6 ast average...