There's no way Kawhi doesn't make it to the all-star game..

[hater]

well deserved non-call IMO. Kawhi's season so far has been "decent". Noone should be rewarded with an allstar invite for a mere "decent" season

[RD2191]

Free OP

[wildchild]

You usually make the allstar game after being a Finals MVP. Probably the Spurs record hurt him.

I think Tony Parker was the last FMVP who didn't make the All-Star Game, he wasn't selected in 2008.

[therealtruth]

I think Tony Parker was the last FMVP who didn't make the All-Star Game, he wasn't selected in 2008.

In my mind Kawhi's finals MVP counts alot more. TP was going against Boobie Gibson and a hobbled Larry Hughs. Kawhi was going against the best player on the planet.

[benjirh]

You are correct that most MVPs are in the game following their winning year, but I believe that there is a little more to it. First off, it is generally superstars that earn the finals MVP. Look at the list of Finals MVP over the last 15 years:
Lebron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Tony Parker, Dwayne Wade, Tim Duncan, Chuancey Billups, Shaquille Oneal

James, Nowitzki, Bryant, Duncan, Oneal will all go down as some of the greatest. So there selection is partly to do with the basketball but just as much to do with their greatness.

Pierce had already been a 6 time all-star and was on one of the best teams in the east.
Wade had already been a 2 time all-star and was averaging over 27 ppg that year (his lost time didn't come till after the ASG)
Parker would have had a better chance of making the team if he wasn't injured over the break. But in addition to that, he was already a 2-time all-star.
Billups is probably the best comparable. He hadn't been an AS and his numbers were all right in comparison to the others. It wasn't until the next year when he increased his points and assists drastically that he made the game.

Basically FMVP doesn't grant you access to the game, but it really depends on big numbers or previous success. I don't know who I would "drop" for Leonard and in reality, I would still put Lillard in there next.

If Leonard can get closer to 20ppg, still keep his other stats at about these numbers, doesn't miss a lot of games before the break, and SA is sitting in a top 4 spot, then he should be a legitimate consideration.

[therealtruth]

You are correct that most MVPs are in the game following their winning year, but I believe that there is a little more to it. First off, it is generally superstars that earn the finals MVP. Look at the list of Finals MVP over the last 15 years:
Lebron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Tony Parker, Dwayne Wade, Tim Duncan, Chuancey Billups, Shaquille Oneal

James, Nowitzki, Bryant, Duncan, Oneal will all go down as some of the greatest. So there selection is partly to do with the basketball but just as much to do with their greatness.

Pierce had already been a 6 time all-star and was on one of the best teams in the east.
Wade had already been a 2 time all-star and was averaging over 27 ppg that year (his lost time didn't come till after the ASG)
Parker would have had a better chance of making the team if he wasn't injured over the break. But in addition to that, he was already a 2-time all-star.
Billups is probably the best comparable. He hadn't been an AS and his numbers were all right in comparison to the others. It wasn't until the next year when he increased his points and assists drastically that he made the game.

Basically FMVP doesn't grant you access to the game, but it really depends on big numbers or previous success. I don't know who I would "drop" for Leonard and in reality, I would still put Lillard in there next.

If Leonard can get closer to 20ppg, still keep his other stats at about these numbers, doesn't miss a lot of games before the break, and SA is sitting in a top 4 spot, then he should be a legitimate consideration.

I think Leonard is a victim of our standings. If we were 1/2 in the West I think he would have had a good chance.

[romain.star]

I think Leonard is a victim of our standings. If we were 1/2 in the West I think he would have had a good chance.

Victim of the Spurs standings AND system. In this team, it's almost impossible to have allstar caliber numbers (not that we should complain about it)

[DMC]

i hate player fans

Curry called. Wants his fathead back.

[spurraider21]

Curry called. Wants his fathead back.

i think you missed the point of that post. go back and think about it some more

[cjw]

Victim of the Spurs standings AND system. In this team, it's almost impossible to have allstar caliber numbers (not that we should complain about it)

Korver made the ASG despite having what appears on paper to be pedestrian stats outside of the percentages which are off the charts. That's just a factor of playing in the East. Assuming he's healthy, he'll definitely play in his first ASG next season. Coaches know how much he impacts the game on the defensive end and that his offensive game continues to grow. I don't expect him to be voted in as a starter though so long as KD/Blake play in the west.

(I'm not saying Korver shouldn't be playing, but he made it because of the system / place in standings / ridiculous shooting)

[hater]

Korver is having himself a great season and is on pace to setting various shooting records.

on the other hand Kawhi is having himself a mediocre to somewhat good season and shooting poorly.

let's face the facts. KAWHI DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE IN THE ALLSTAR GAME. FOR THE EAST OR WEST.

ok, let's move on now...

[Nathan89]

Two all-star replacements and he still couldn't make it. Maybe once Timmy passes the best player on the team torch he could make it as an replacement.

[apalisoc_9]

Kawhi is the best player..

He just missed 22 games.

[cjw]

let's face the facts. KAWHI DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE IN THE ALLSTAR GAME. FOR THE EAST OR WEST.

Korver has been the best shooter in the league this year and is deserving BUT were he in the west, he's probably #20 on the list given how fans/coaches rank guys.

Kawhi's impact doesn't show up on the stat sheet like shooting percentage does. Playing a full season at the level he is and the team is #2-3 in the West (since returning, they're 9-3 = 62 win pace) and is the clear cut choice to go behind Duncan if the Spurs get two guys. But the west is so star heavy that team guys don't make it.

There's room for deserving guys like Korver in the East because it's so putrid while in the West you have guaranteed spots going to Harden/CP3/Curry/Westbrook/Kobrick + Durant/Blake/Davis and even Marc (9-10 of the 12 spots). Meanwhile in the East, friggen Gortat finished fourth in frontcourt voting.

Let's hope Kerr elects to allow Duncan (2 of his 5 rings) to start and play to the first TV timeout and then call it a day.

[apalisoc_9]

Kawhi is the best spurs and would have been the token spur had he not missed any games..

Big 3 fans at it again.

[Silver&Black]

^
"I hate player fans"

[ducks]

Kawhi is the best player..

He just missed 22 games.

Durant missed more

[romain.star]

Korver made the ASG despite having what appears on paper to be pedestrian stats outside of the percentages which are off the charts. That's just a factor of playing in the East. Assuming he's healthy, he'll definitely play in his first ASG next season. Coaches know how much he impacts the game on the defensive end and that his offensive game continues to grow. I don't expect him to be voted in as a starter though so long as KD/Blake play in the west.

(I'm not saying Korver shouldn't be playing, but he made it because of the system / place in standings / ridiculous shooting)

Korver made it despite the system. What got him in is a combination of various factors (none of which applies to Kawhi):
1. Wade is injured
2. The Hawks are a +60 W teams
3. The East is weak
4. He is shooting lights out
5. he missed one game only

[TheGreatYacht]

2/12
All-Star

[Fireball]

Now Nowitzki got chosen before Kawhi as another replacement ...

[cjw]

Now Nowitzki got chosen before Kawhi as another replacement ...

As he should - Spurs don't deserve two guys before Dallas gets one. Then again, neither does OKC.

[Fireball]

As he should - Spurs don't deserve two guys before Dallas gets one. Then again, neither does OKC.

of course ... I just do a little back-trolling

[ducks]

Another thing you are wrong on