Runnin - n - Gunnin

All-Star Reserves

The NBA All-Star starters were announced Tuesday, voted in by the fans.  (Also, the jerseys were revealed today, as seen above.  Not bad at all).  Just to recap the starters:

• West: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Andrew Bynum
• East: Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard

Fair enough.  All of these players are deserving of All-Star nods. You can replace Carmelo with Chris Bosh as a starter, though, and you can argue that either Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge can start in place of Blake Griffin, but the game is for the fans who want to see explosive plays.  No surprises here.

Though I was spot on with the starters in my Season Preview, the All-Star reserves will be a different story.  They will be revealed next week, February 9th on TNT, chosen by the league coaches.  One-third of the way through the season, players have gotten injured, have been better than expected, or have been worse than expected.  Here’s my re-evaluation of the reserves:

West Reserves:

First Guard: Russell Westbrook - He was basically a shoe-in for the team.  He’s the only other point guard who really stood a chance against Chris Paul to be a starter.  Not only is he a beast on the court who can score, but he is a lot of fun to watch.  

Second Guard: Tony Parker -  With Ginobili’s injury, Parker’s been doing a great job keeping San Antonio in their winning ways. The Spurs may be old, but Parker is only 29; still in his prime.

First Forward: Kevin Love - Is there any doubt that Love is an All-Star?  His stats alone make him an All-Star, but the fact the has great fundamentals, can space the floor, can shoot the three, and is a good passer puts him over the rest.  Plus, he was an All-Star last year that only got better.

Second Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge - He was the biggest snub from last season’s All-Star game, and is playing even better this season being the main focus of the Blazers’ offense.  Great post game and midrange game and is a big part to the Blazers’ winning record.  He’s getting in this year.

Center: Marc Gasol - His numbers may not show this, but Gasol is a huge reason why the Grizzlies have been winning.  He has done a good job picking up some scoring and rebounding slack left when Zach Randolph went down with injury, and he’s been anchoring their defense.  All-in-all, he is one hell of a player.  

Wild Card 1: Ty Lawson - This spot could have gone to Steve Nash, Kyle Lowry, or Ricky Rubio, but I’m sticking with Lawson.  The Nuggets deserve an All-Star with their record, and they’re winning with great team play.  If I had to choose anyone, I’m going with their point guard.

Wild Card 2: Dirk Nowitzki - Like the other Wild Card spot that I saved for a guard, this spot could’ve gone to Paul Millsap, Rudy Gay, Danilo Gallinari, or Nene, but this pick is mostly out of respect. The Mavs are winning (top in Southwest division) and it would be a shame if the reigning Champions didn’t have a player in the game.

Key Injury Replacements aka Showing Some Love: Paul Millsap is possibly the most underrated player in the league and he’ll be this year’s Aldridge.  Steve Nash may be old (almost 38), but he’s the league’s leader in assists and is still great.  Danilo Gallinari deserves recognition for being the top scorer on a great Denver team.

East Reserves:

First Guard: Rajon Rondo - He may be injured, but he’ll be coming back soon and he’s still one of the top playmakers in the league.  

Second Guard: Joe Johnson - Al Horford went down early in the season, but the Hawks are tied with the Heat in the standings (going 9-2 since the injury).  Joe Johnson is a huge part of that, and he’s also been an All-Star, which should help him.

First Forward: Chris Bosh - He’s playing much better this year, finding his role under Lebron and Wade.  In spite of this, he’s still doing a great job scoring and pulling his weight when Wade was out with injury.  If anything, he probably should start above Carmelo.

Second Forward: Josh Smith - Finally time for Josh Smith to become an All-Star, right?  He’s probably been the biggest snub for years now, and finally has a chance this year.  He’s also played very well since Horford’s injury, being a big part of wins.

Center: Roy Hibbert - Hibbert has finally gotten to that point where everyone expected him to be in the past couple seasons.  He’s a tough player who’s been giving great production on the offense and on the boards.  

Wild Card 1: Andre Iguodala - A great thing about Iguodala is that he can fit as either a guard or forward.  A greater thing is how his play is a huge part to the Sixers’ success this season.  In the #1 defensive team in the league, he’s their best perimeter defender. He also does a little bit of everything very well, as well as gives nightly highlight plays.

Wild Card 2: Deron Williams - I’m giving this to D-Will in spite of how poorly the Nets have been playing.  His shooting’s down and his turnovers are up, but I blame this mostly on the lack of talent around him.  Otherwise, he’s still an amazing player who can turn it on at any time.  He just needs a guy like Dwight.

Key Injury Replacements aka Showing Some Love: I was this close to giving away D-Will’s spot to Ray Allen because he’s been shooting very well, but I can’t reward the Celtics’ play with two All-Stars.  Kyrie Irving has shown why he was chosen #1 in the draft by exceeding everyone’s expectations.  Greg Monroe deserves some talk because he’s putting up great numbers… it’s a shame he’s on the Pistons.

Also some names to note: 

• Amar’e Stoudemire makes me sad this season.  Who thought he’d drop off this badly this season?
• Gotta show love to Kyle Lowry for improving his game a lot this season.  I’d love to see him shoot over 39% though.
• Like Lowry, Ryan Anderson deserves some love for improving a ton this season and for helping Dwight get some wins this season.
• Tim Duncan’s old.
• I thought John Wall would make a Rose-like All-Star jump his second season, but looking at the Wizards… yikes.
• Nene could take Marc Gasol’s spot, but Gasol is giving more of an impact on his team than Nene does.  The Nuggets are just that deep.
• As a Warrior fan, I have to mention Monta Ellis.  So…. Monta Ellis.
• I want to backup Andrea Bargnani’s All-Star bid, but his injury is really getting in the way.  Also: the losing.
• Speaking of injury, Luol Deng would definitely take Deron Williams’ spot if it wasn’t for his injury.  It’s a shame, I really feel like there should be another All-Star Bull.
• And no, Noah doesn’t count.  He’s been having a down year.
• Pau Gasol has been very disappointing.  Yes, he still puts up numbers (16.3 points, 9.5 rebounds) but he just doesn’t effect the game as much as he used to.
• Ricky Rubio will be an All-Star sometime soon once the T-Wolves can get over .500
• I haven’t mentioned Rudy Gay yet?  Man, there really are a ton of Western Conference players that could possibly be All-Stars.
• Has there ever been a bench player to make the All-Star game?  I think that James Harden is the closest thing we can ever get to that point.
• Other Sixers to note: Jrue Holliday and Louis Williams.  Elton Brand if you only count 1st quarters.

I’ll stop here because I know if I don’t stop, I’ll just keep typing names that won’t deserve it.  Let’s see who the coaches choose in a week….