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Good god, 2 players in all nba 3rd team. ESPN is just too generous these days
Hit the link for the other awards: http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/p...-10/nba-awardsThe instructions: Voters are asked to fill out three teams and urged to select players at the position they play "regularly."
First team
F: LeBron James
F: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Dwight Howard
G: Derrick Rose
G: Kobe Bryant
Second team
F: Kevin Durant
F: Amare Stoudemire
C: Pau Gasol
G: Dwyane Wade
G: Chris Paul
Third team
F: Paul Pierce
F: Zach Randolph
C: Tim Duncan
G: Russell Westbrook
G: Tony Parker
The thinking: Just as it was at All-Star time for East and West coaches, nothing is tougher for All-NBA voters than trying to wedge in all the worthy forwards.
Just look at the list of names I couldn't find room for: LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh and even Carmelo Anthony.
The first and second teams generally sorted themselves out. Dirk edged Durant for the only first-team spot in question thanks largely to Durant's statistical dips from last season and the clearly larger load Nowitzki has to carry. On the second team, Stoudemire's unforgettable first half -- when he looked like MVP material -- and the stints at center that Gasol was forced to take on while Andrew Bynum was injured were keys to landing them spots alongside no-brainers Durant, Paul and Wade.
Narrowing down the third team, though, was as agonizing as ever.
There might have been room for both Randolph and Aldridge had we omitted Duncan, but the only team in the league to win 60 games (only Chicago can still join them) deserved two All-NBAers in my view, especially after seeing the mighty Spurs promptly lose four straight games as soon as Duncan twisted an ankle. Parker narrowly edged Manu Ginobili as the second Spur, which is bound to surprise those who haven't been watching closely enough to see Parker hit a level of steadiness at 28 that meant as much this season as Manu's flair for the spectacular. Filling the solitary Boston berth, meanwhile, was only slightly easier, with leading scorer Pierce edging Celts defensive anchor Kevin Garnett and floor leader Rajon Rondo (who took himself out of the running with his second-half fade).
Moving to the third team, New York's ups and downs since acquiring Melo and Denver's takeoff without him undoubtedly cost the league's No. 4 scorer on this scorecard. But even after excluding Anthony -- as well as Bosh since he's merely Miami's No. 3 option and Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah because of their time lost to injuries -- you still had Randolph, Aldridge, Griffin and Love bidding for one spot. Randolph's best all-around season, leadership and dependability in the wake of Rudy Gay's season-ending shoulder injury ultimately won out, although it can be argued that Aldridge did as much yeoman stepping up in Portland after Brandon Roy went down.
All that congestion, furthermore, naturally meant no shot for the likes of Al Horford (who might have had his best season despite playing out of position), Bynum (after he missed 27 games) and Monta Ellis (whose numbers weren't quite gaudy enough to convince me). Or for All-NBA regulars such as Deron Williams, Steve Nash and Joe Johnson.
Good god, 2 players in all nba 3rd team. ESPN is just too generous these days
True. I bet Duncan really does get 3rd team center as a lifetime achievement award (like his All-Star selection), and because the Spurs should get someone in with this 60+ win season. I don't see Parker or Ginobili making it, though.
The real first team:
F: LeBron James
F: Amar'e Stoudemire
C: Dwight Howard
G: Dwayne Wade
G: Derrick Rose
Agreed with all except Stoudemire. The Knicks have seen absolutely dreadful stretches this season. Amare isn't deserving. And I agree Kobe should be 2nd team. He hasn't looked too good coming down the stretch. His overall play the last month (even though LA was winning) was more cold than hot and the current 4 game losing skid LA is on may cost him the first team nod. I think Wade edges him out this year.
And Lamarcus Aldridge certainly deserves at least 3rd team. Portland wouldn't even be playoff bound if it weren't for his great play.
Looks pretty good. It's good to see 2 Spurs on there. I hope Tony does make it (since he got ripped off of being an All Star). As for Manu he's played way to inconsistent and pretty bad for the last half of this season. Amazing that he was picked an an AS while Tony got left off.
Paul Pierce and Rusell Westbrook over Ginobili?
none of the spurs are going to get in. And I think that is just sad
Its a bunch of sorry bull statistics that will not let them in
Stat is the best power forward in the league right now. He's unguardable and underrated defensively. He's putting up career numbers, remind you prior to the season everyone thought that Nash carried him like Kid did Jefferson.
Knicks having dreadful stretches has little to do with Stat, Knicks wouldn't even be in the playoffs without this man.
The Knicks also wouldn't be in the Playoffs if they were in the Western Conference. And It does seem hard to say Amare should be on the first team when there are players who are as important to their team and their teams have better records.
I'd have
1st Team: Rose, Wade, Lebron, Dirk, Howard
2nd Team: Paul, Kobe, Durant, Aldridge, Gasol
3rd Team: Westbrook, Ginobili, Garnett, Randolph, Stoudemire.
He's good, and has been valuable to them, but Giving him credit for the location of his team is silly.
Not a bad a their bull awards predictions... In which Manu gets a 10th in mvp talk, and Pop get 4th in COY
According to this board Pop is ranked somewhere around the 25th best coach in the league. You should be thankful he is ranked 4th.
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