For better or worse, fan balloting has been cast and counted, and the responsibility of correcting mistakes, filling bench spots and inevitably producing a snub or two rests on the shoulders of the head coaches around the league.
Each is asked to pick seven players (two guards, two forwards, a center and two wildcards), and no selection can be member of his own team. If a coach feels it is warranted, they are permitted to select a player to fill a position different than the one he is listed at. For example, penciling in Toronto’s Chris Bosh as the Eastern Conference’s backup center even though he is technically listed as a forward is OK.
Although I pretend to be an NBA head coach to impress the ladies, alas, I have no actual say in who is chosen and am therefore left with merely this blog. I can only hope coaches refer to it before handing in their ballots this afternoon.
Before I go ahead and divulge my choices, let me first remind you of the five players chosen as starters by the fans:
G – Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons
G – Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
F – LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F – Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
C – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
With the aforementioned guidelines adhered to, here are my selections...
Guards
Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets (21.8 points, 3 rebounds, 6.4 assists) – Harris is the second-highest scoring guard in the East and number five in assists. Along with Vince Carter, Harris’ play has transformed the Nets from anticipated losers to playoff contenders, and the season-ending injury to Milwaukee’s Michael Redd just enhanced their odds.
Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (21.6, 4.5, 6.2) – Despite injuries to a pair of Atlanta starters and a lack of help off the bench, the Hawks are one of six Eastern Conference teams with a record above .500, and Johnson is largely responsible. He’s struggled in the new year, yet still has some of the best all-around numbers in the game.
Forwards
Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers (26.1, 5.1, 3.4) – The Pacers have truly stunk, but Granger has truly been awesome. The fourth-year forward out of New Mexico was expected to take another step toward stardom this season, but Granger has already surpassed the hype and is currently the fourth-highest scorer in the NBA (.2 point per game behind Kobe).
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (19.1, 5.8, 3.7) – After a shockingly bad slump that lasted far too long for Boston fans, the Celtics are once again who we thought they were as winners of their last eight by an average of 16.25 ppg. The Green are back atop the NBA in terms of record, and The Truth’s prowess on both ends is a major reason why.
Center
Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors (23.3, 9.9, 2.6) – The big-man tandem of Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal has unsurprisingly failed to live up to expectation, but the performance of Bosh alone has not. The only man in the league who looks like his team’s mascot is the highest scoring power forward in the Eastern Conference. Other than Jose Calderon’s free throw streak, Bosh and his 24 double-doubles is the lone bright spot on a fading Toronto squad.
Wild Cards
David Lee, Forward, New York Knicks (15.5, 11.4, 2) – Lee may be a long shot to earn a trip to Phoenix, but in the circus that is Knicks basketball, Lee’s production makes him too good to trade and has New York one game out of the eighth spot in the East. His .569 field goal percentage is sixth best among those who have played 40 or more games, and his 32 double-doubles are good enough for second most in the NBA, leaving him just one behind double-double machine Dwight Howard.
Jameer Nelson, Guard, Orlando Magic (17.1, 3.4, 5.3) – If by the power of David Stern there were eight reserve spots instead of seven, Carter would have been an easy choice for me. The 32-year old is evoking memories of a time when Vinsanity swept the nation. Unfortunately for Carter, there is no lucky 13, and because he plays for the 20-25 Nets, and not the 33-10 Magic, the choice for the seventh and final spot is equally as easy.
Nelson, like Pierce, doesn’t have the most eye-popping numbers, and his six-foot frame doesn’t allow for the highlight dunks. But what he can do is shoot. His is one of four guards in the NBA to shoot better than 50% from the field, is 7th in three-point shooting percentage, and has the 6th best free throw percentage among players with 90 or more attempts in the conference. Not to mention, he has helped solidify Orlando’s status as a true contender.
Tune in tomorrow for The Sports Don’s Western Conference All-Stars reserves.
If you disagree with my opinion, would like to share your own or want to tell me this is the most intelligent post you've ever read, email TheSportsDon@gmail.com.
Comments