2006 All-Star Thread

[Chris_Sanders]

Who would you pick over Ming Yao in the West anyway ?

WEST CENTERS (12)
Marcus Camby, Denver
Erick Dampier, Dallas
Chris Kaman, LA Clippers
Jamaal Magloire, NO/OKC
Chris Mihm, LA Lakers
Brad Miller, Sacramento
Mehmet Okur, Utah
Michael Olowokandi, Minnesota
Joel Przybilla, Portland
Kurt Thomas, Phoenix
Lorenzen Wright, Memphis
Yao Ming, Houston

Stat wise, excepted Camby (who missed as many games as Yao by the way) and maybe Okur, it's hard to argue with that choice.

Edit : well, Kaesile was the fastest to make the point.

Millier, Okhur, and Kaman have played all year and all bear consideration.

Camby has been the best center in the west when he has played and should be there if you aren't going to consider Yao.

I would take any of those 4 before I would take Yao.

 

[myrondizzo]

its a shame that house wont be in the 3point contest. he's got such a quick release that i think he would be pefect for it.

 

[kaesile]

The reason why I left Okur out (who's having an All-Star type season) is because from what I can tell, he plays mostly PF in the Jazz sets. Jarron Collins and Greg Ostertag are their main centers.

Of course, Okur does play C some, but so does Pau Gasol. That's why the league really should change the way player positions are handled for All-Star balloting - PF/C to 'two frontcourt players' or something.

 

[fordronken]

Two random All-Star notes:

• People have been talking about how deep the west forward All-Star pool is this year. It just occured to me that's it this deep even without Amare Stoudemire. Now that's a deep pool.

• What happens if a player is set to be an All-Star starter, like say, McGrady, and then he is traded to the other conferencee? Would he start for the West anyway? Would his spot be replaced and he'd have to be voted on as an East all-star? What if the reserves had already been picked? Would a guy like McGrady just get snubbed because he was traded?

 

[Chaplin]

Skills contestants chosen:

LeBron, Wade, Paul among Skills challengersSportsTicker


NEW YORK -- Defending champion Steve Nash will have to defeat some stiff competition to defend his Skills Challenge title.

The Phoenix Suns guard will take on Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, guard Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and impact rookie guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets in the competition during the NBA's All-Star Saturday Night, the league announced Tuesday.

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, Nash paces the league with 11.1 assists per game for the Pacific Division-leading Suns (31-17). The four-time All-Star will try to defend his Skills Challenge title on February 18, the night before the All-Star Game.

James is averaging 30.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the Cavaliers, who at 28-19 are in third place in the Eastern Conference. At 30-19, the Heat lead the Southeast Division thanks largely to Wade, a first-time All-Star starter who is averaging 27 points, 6.9 assists and two steals.

The runaway leader for Rookie of the Year, Paul leads all first-year players in points (16.3), assists (7.8) and steals (2.2) per game. He has helped the surprising Hornets to a 24-23 record.

The Skills Challenge, which debuted in 2003, will be comprised of a two-round timed obstacle course event consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations. It will be televised at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

I haven't been following the voting in the least, but I'm surprised Nash made it as a starter. Maybe the fans aren't completely clueless after all.

The starting five for the East is better, probably, depending on who replaces J. O'Neal. Has any team as bad as the Rockets ever had two starters voted on?

I think Nash gets alot more respect nationaly than he does locally.

 

[reader]

http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/three_point/threepoint_060208.html

NBA’s Top Long-Range Shooters Battle on All-Star Saturday Night
Defending Champ Richardson Headlines Field For the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout


NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2006 – Defending champion Quentin Richardson of the New York Knicks will highlight the star-studded field of six in the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by AOL, Feb.18 at the Toyota Center in Houston. In the event’s 20th year, Richardson will compete against five of the NBA’s top three-point shooters including Seattle’s Ray Allen who won the competition in 2001, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, and Phoenix’s Raja Bell.
The players compete in the two-round competition with the top three from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations are set up around the three-point line, with four orange plus one multi-colored ball at each location. Each player has one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. Orange balls are worth one point and the multi-colored ball (money ball) is worth two points. In the Finals, players will shoot in ascending order of first round scores.
The contestants in the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout will be competing for $86,000 in prize money, with $35,000 going to the winner. Second place is worth $22,500, third place is worth $15,000 and fourth through sixth places are worth $4,500 each.

 

[damo]

What’s their beef?

Why are the all star caliber players scared of the dunk contest? Are they scared of the expectations? Le bron, for example. The expectation of something special would be huge. But these players will take part in the skills challenge, lebron, wade, both participating. I’d rather watch them battle in a dunk competition. Nowitzki and billups are in the 3pt shootout. They’re all stars and great shooters. So what are the all stars that are great dunkers scared of? Failure?

 

[elindholm]

I wouldn't participate in the dunk contest if I were an All-Star.

The dunk contest has precious little to do with basketball. All made dunks in a real game are worth two points; there are no bonus points awarded for degree of difficulty. It's entirely possible that some of the most athletic, creative dunkers in the world aren't good enough to play basketball professionally, so the field is already arbitrary. And the judging is completely subjective, like an olympic trampoline competition or something equally silly.

Great competitors always want to win, but they also want a contest where their skills are evaluated honestly and fairly. Making pretty dunks isn't a "skill." At least the three-point contest requires abilities that translate into a game: taking long-distance shots quickly, under pressure, and for a high percentage.

 

[jibikao]

If I were an all-star player or Lebron James, I won't join the dunk contest. What if I lose? lol

But having said that, Vince Carter definitely makes himself so popular after that dunk contest.

 

[SweetD]

It would have been cool for Amare to come back and sign up for the dunk contest and show everyone he is back!

 

[nowagimp]

I wouldn't participate in the dunk contest if I were an All-Star.

The dunk contest has precious little to do with basketball. All made dunks in a real game are worth two points; there are no bonus points awarded for degree of difficulty. It's entirely possible that some of the most athletic, creative dunkers in the world aren't good enough to play basketball professionally, so the field is already arbitrary. And the judging is completely subjective, like an olympic trampoline competition or something equally silly.

Great competitors always want to win, but they also want a contest where their skills are evaluated honestly and fairly. Making pretty dunks isn't a "skill." At least the three-point contest requires abilities that translate into a game: taking long-distance shots quickly, under pressure, and for a high percentage.

I think that the 3pt contest is not realistic either. A rushed shot is one thing, but 20 consecutive rushed shots do not compare to any real game scenario. This scenario will favor stronger players whose arms will not fatigue as fast, like Q, over a better 3pt shooter, like Nash. Does anybody really think that Q was the best, or even in the top 10 best, 3pt shooter in the NBA last year? Better than Dirk, JJ, even JJack, Damon Jones

 

[elindholm]

The three-point contest isn't realistic, but at least it has something to do with NBA skills, which the dunk contest does not. A million guys can dunk.

 

[myrondizzo]

I think that the 3pt contest is not realistic either. A rushed shot is one thing, but 20 consecutive rushed shots do not compare to any real game scenario. This scenario will favor stronger players whose arms will not fatigue as fast, like Q, over a better 3pt shooter, like Nash. Does anybody really think that Q was the best, or even in the top 10 best, 3pt shooter in the NBA last year? Better than Dirk, JJ, even JJack, Damon Jones

not realistic? i've watched house chuck 20 threes in a matter of about a min.

 

[Chaplin]

FYI, on Page 2's Daily Quickie, the writer pushes for Boris Diaw to be on the All-Star team! He knows it won't happen, but he likes the idea.

NBA: West Reserves
Where are the guards? The West reserves should be loaded with the conference's sick forwards: KG, Dirk, Brand, Marion. I'd give Marcus Camby a once-in-a-career nod (sorry Carmelo).

Rookies tend to get snubbed, but you can't deny the impact Chris Paul has had on the Hornets. And for my 7th spot, I'm rooting hard for wild-card Boris Diaw, the breakout talent of the year.

But there's no way Diaw makes it over a bonafide star like Tracy McGrady, the 6th-leading scorer in the league and the player who annually puts on the sickest displays in the game. But that's why we watch, isn't it?

Of course, that last paragraph breaks credibility since McGrady is starting for the West already.

 

[reader]

Congratulations to Shawn!

Marion an All-Star Official announcement tonight at 5 p.m.

Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 9, 2006
Shawn Marion is an All-Star.

The Suns forward found out at Thursday’s practice that he was selected as a reserve to the Western Conference squad. The fans already have voted in teammate Steve Nash as a starter.

The rest of reserves from both conferences will be announced later today.

“It’s satisfying (to get that respect),’’ Marion said, “but I think there’s more to it than that.”

He talked about playing his hardest every night, providing leadership and “just doing what we do out here on the floor.”

Marion is averaging a career-best 21.3 points and 12 rebounds. He ranks second in the league in minutes played. He ranks third in steals. This will be his third All-Star appearance.

This year’s game takes place Feb. 19 in Houston.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0209sunsstar.html

 

[nowagimp]

not realistic? i've watched house chuck 20 threes in a matter of about a min.

Now thats not realistic, there is usually a change of possession.

 

[George O'Brien]

Now thats not realistic, there is usually a change of possession.

You think?

 

[jibikao]

Great job Marion!

So, Melo didn't get in. Oh well.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Looks like Kidd and Arenas both were left off the East squad.

 

[George O'Brien]

Who makes the final decision on the backups?

I would have to wonder if Melo's behavior on the Olympic team is coming back to haunt him.

 

[HooverDam]

Who makes the final decision on the backups?

I would have to wonder if Melo's behavior on the Olympic team is coming back to haunt him.

Ive heard its the All Star teams coach, but Im not 100% on that.

 

[Ollie]

All Star squads


EASTERN STARTERS
Guards
Dwyane Wade, Heat
Allen Iverson, Sixers

Forwards
LeBron James, Cavs
Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers*
Center
Shaquille O'Neal, Heat

EASTERN RESERVES
Chauncey Billups, Pistons
Richard Hamilton, Pistons
Ben Wallace, Pistons
Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
Chris Bosh, Raptors
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Vince Carter, Nets

WESTERN STARTERS
Guards
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Steve Nash, Suns
Forwards
Tracy McGrady, Rockets
Tim Duncan, Spurs
Center
Yao Ming, Rockets

WESTERN RESERVES
Ray Allen, Sonics
Tony Parker, Spurs
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs
Elton Brand, Clippers
Pau Gasol, Grizzlies
Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves
Shawn Marion, Suns

 

[Chaz]

It would have been cool for Amare to come back and sign up for the dunk contest and show everyone he is back!

We should have him as the emergency sub for Raja in the 3pt contest.

 

[Bada0Bing]

This is actually my 2nd favorite All-Star event now after the 3pt contest. It seems like they actually are trying to win, unlike the actual game. The dunk contest is okay, but everything has already been done, and the judges are way to easy.