2013 All Star Starters

[Obstructed_View]

Its a popularity contest, Duncan was never going to make it

At least he got a few more votes than Gasol, who's played in like six games so far this year.

[gee]

There is so much butthurt in here and I can't understand why.

Did anybody actually expect that a Spur would be fan voted into the starting lineup of the All Star Game? Nobody gives a about the seeing the Spurs, except for when it's their only visit to Miami for the season, so why would the NBA fanbase all of a sudden turn and start voting Spurs for the ASG?

Clearly, this year as with every other year, the starting lineups are based completely on popularity. Everybody knows that, it doesn't even need to be commented on. So when people are saying that TD / Parker have been snubbed because they've missed out on the starting lineup, they haven't really, because they're not in the top 5 most popular players in the West. I doubt Tim Duncan would be pacing around his living room at home right now fretting and upset that he didn't get his transcedent basketball skills validated by being chosen by a bunch of dip fans, most of whom don't know about basketball, to take part in the starting lineup of this year's annual monkeyball / heroball event that nobody gives a about, EVER. So why should anyone else care? He said he hopes not to play so he can just spend the time with his family like he did last year, so if he doesn't even want to be involved at all, we shouldn't be sitting here ing about him not being selected. What, are we upset he's not getting the recognition he deserves or something? Dwight Howard was picked ahead of him. Jeremy Lin narrowly missed selection at no 3 for the backcourt. Garnett has made it in the East, etc etc etc. There is no basketball credibility in these lineups at all, the whole thing is a farce. How can anybody look at the voting standards and be upset TD didn't make it in?

Am I the only Spurs fan who is really hoping the Spurs don't get picked for any of the All-Star Weekend at all, so that they can all skip this stupid and focus on more important things?

[tp2021]

10 players from 5 cities. Gay.

[therealtruth]

The irony of wanting the fans to show respect and then wanting to disrespect the fans in a nationally televised game against the Heat. It can't be both ways.

[smaka]

Blake freaking monkey Griffin will get a start every year, obviously, because he plays in LA and clowns will vote for him every year, regardless of how he plays. Same goes for Dwight and Kobe...

Imo, the whole all star voting concept is ty, being based on fan votes. A few more votes and we'd see a scrub like Jeremy Lin starting for the West. But damn, I've seen at least half a dozen better pgs in the west. With this system, players like Duncan, who is not so popular league-wide, for different reasons, can't get a start, even though he's been better than all the PFs and Cs who will be starting in all star game.

[johnnySpurs]

I rather our guys stay home and get some rest anyway... especially Timmy.

The All-Star game is not about putting the best players on the court, it hasn't been for some time. It's a game of flash and immaturity. Let the pro's stay home and get focus on what really counts... a championship.

[superbigtime]

ASG is a joke. The only good thing about it is to give the Spurs a few days off. I don't even watch this anymore. Just a stupid popularity contest and watching chumps like kenny smith and gary payton yuck it up at the dunk contest. it's a disgrace. And if Tim doesn't get DPOY this year my disgust with the NBA will reach a new level.

[chapnis]

The only spur I wanna see in allstar weekend is Bonner in the 3pt contest

[Horse]

The allstar voting is the biggest joke in sports. If you're not on tv all the time you have no shot. Year after year players that miss signifigant time in the first half get voted in as starters so it really doesnt mean to be an allstar.

[johnnySpurs]

ASG is a joke. The only good thing about it is to give the Spurs a few days off. I don't even watch this anymore. Just a stupid popularity contest and watching chumps like kenny smith and gary payton yuck it up at the dunk contest. it's a disgrace. And if Tim doesn't get DPOY this year my disgust with the NBA will reach a new level.

Start preparing for your disgust with the NBA to reach a new level.

[Arcadian]

Did anybody actually expect that a Spur would be fan voted into the starting lineup of the All Star Game? [...] Clearly, this year as with every other year, the starting lineups are based completely on popularity. Everybody knows that, it doesn't even need to be commented on. So when people are saying that TD / Parker have been snubbed because they've missed out on the starting lineup, they haven't really, because they're not in the top 5 most popular players in the West.

You make some good points, but TD has been voted into the starting lineup before - many times actually (about 10 times?). Believe it or not, he does have a large fanbase around the nation. I understand that he's past his prime and newer, younger players have entered the fray - but TD is a legend and deserves to be voted in for two reasons: 1) great players past their prime have always been voted in based on reputation (for example Shaq), and 2) TD actually is having a great year, so it wouldn't be based purely on reputation anyway.

My problem is that typically, legendary players will continue to be voted in even if they don't really deserve it. So why is that not happening with Tim, when he actually deserves it? It's bull . You're right, though, that the all star game in general is irrelevant nonsense. But it still affects a player's overall legacy to some extent.

[johnnySpurs]

The Spurs are that faithful old car that nobody notices when it passes by on the streets. It will take you everywhere that you need to go, but without the pizzazz or flash of the newer models. The radio is always at a respectable level... never too loud. It's well maintained, perfectly tuned, has a fresh coat of paint, is always washed and vacuumed and is always reliable. It's just not a car that will turn many heads though.

People want to see the newer flashier models, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Rarely do those newer models make it to the finish line... even rarer that they have the lifespan of old faithful.

Frankly, I hope none of our boys go to the ASG, I'd much rather they rest.


Furthermore, how can you defend the Spurs for resting the big 3 against Miami, and not feel relief at the possibility of them being able to sit out the ASG?

[milkyway21]

Kevin Garnett should thank the Lakers for signing Dwight Howard he's on top of the East votes

[gee]

My problem is that typically, legendary players will continue to be voted in even if they don't really deserve it. So why is that not happening with Tim, when he actually deserves it? It's bull . You're right, though, that the all star game in general is irrelevant nonsense. But it still affects a player's overall legacy to some extent.

You're right, I have no explanation for that other than 1. these legendary players have a lot more exciting frolics into the media than Timmy does or 2. maybe the general demographic of the voting NBA fan are of an NBA experience level where they missed his more legendary days, and because of bad explanation 1. they're more aware of / more likely to vote for the others? I don't know. They're both ty explanations. Life's unfair for TD.

At least he's a lock to make the reserves. It shouldn't hurt his legacy too much. When people read out a player's credentials, they say "12 time all star", not "7 time all star starter and 5 time all star reserve". I've never actually heard any differentiation between starting and being a reserve made in that context

[Darkwaters]

Lakers and Celtics both have two starters and both are around .500 ha

Don't give them too much credit. They're closer to .400 than .500 right now.

[Spurs Brazil]

Reserve Judgment: Stein's All-Star Benches
By Marc Stein


Western Conference Reserves

Frontcourt: James Harden (Houston), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City)


Westbrook

Harden
Something tells me this isn't the first time you've seen these guys together in the same sentence. Something also tells me that you can't wait to watch them interact, along with West starter Kevin Durant, now that they're not all full-time teammates.

Don't think they'll check into the actual game together, since Harden will be representing the host Rockets and thus has to be intro'd separately, according to the All-Star coaching handbook, so he can fully milk the hometown crowd's applause. But the former Thunder sixth man and the OKC point guard he used to share the playmaking with are just about the two easiest selections for West coaches.

The bearded lefty ranks fourth in the league in scoring (26.3 ppg) to quickly prove his franchise-player chops in Houston for one of the league's surprise teams of the first half. Westbrook, meanwhile, has recovered from a shaky December (39.4 percent from the floor) to rediscover his shot this month while continuing to rank in the league's top five in both assists and steals.

Frontcourt: Tim Duncan (San Antonio), David Lee (Golden State), Marc Gasol (Memphis)


Gasol

Lee

Duncan
Correction: Duncan is an even easier choice for West coaches. Especially after he was excluded from last February's All-Star extravaganza for the first time in his peerless career.

The turn-back-the-clock season he's submitting, at 36, should have Timmy starting over Dwight Howard. So he's an automatic pick even in this new, centerless world of All-Star ballots … which is actually rather fitting given Duncan's longtime insistence on being labeled a power forward despite everyone outside of his own consciousness looking at him as a center.

The compe ion to join Duncan, meanwhile, is as fierce as ever, even with injuries canceling the candidacies of three go-to nominees: Pau Gasol, Kevin Love and Dirk Nowitzki. Even without those three, you've still got Marc Gasol, Lee, Zach Randolph, Serge Ibaka and LaMarcus Aldridge all in the discussion. But we (and the coaches) can only pick two more.

Lee legitimately has the best numbers of any power forward in the West, averaging nearly 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for a team in Golden State that has wildly exceeded expectations not only in the standings but also on the defensive end, flourishing on D and on the boards even with lead rim protector Andrew Bogut playing in only four games so far.

And Gasol narrowly edges out Randolph here for opening No. 3, given how much he contributes at both ends as the down-low anchor for the West's best defense. I know, I know: Why bring D into an All-Star debate? The reality: Coaches (and media know-it-alls like myself) like to reward play-the-right-way guys whenever we can. So I'm expecting Gasol to eke past Z-Bo if it comes down to an either/or vote for the two Griz big men.

Wild cards: Tony Parker (San Antonio), Zach Randolph (Memphis)


Randolph

Parker
Parker versus Stephen Curry for one wild card. Randolph versus LaMarcus Aldridge for the other remaining vacancy.

That's how it broke down on this scorecard after Ibaka, Blazers rookie Damian Lillard, Utah's Al Jefferson, Denver's Kenneth Faried and the West's ultimate wild card -- Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins (yeah, I said it) -- were grudgingly scratched from consideration.

There are two Clippers and two Lakers in the starting lineup, plus two OKCers on the West squad when you add Westbrook to Durant. Did I choose Tony and Z-Bo for symmetry? Can't deny it was a factor. Can't deny that I'm more comfortable picking two Spurs and two Grizzlies before I go with two Warriors, even accounting for Golden State's unforeseen success and with Curry finding a new level this season as a QB and tone-setter along with consistent health.

Doesn't hurt that Parker has taken his game up a notch even from last season and continues to be a Duncan-like rock for the Spurs with Manu Ginobili in and out of the lineup. Also doesn't hurt that Randolph, on a team that doesn't have nearly the bench that the Warriors do, is right up there with Lee on the double-double front.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/p...-reserve-picks

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah not much chance Parker gets in with the game in Houston. They'll put Harden in.