First of all, I recognize this is a New Orleans Hornets blog. With that, I understand that there will be some bias toward the four Hornets that are up for all-star positions. What I'd like is for everyone to put aside their team biases, and come with an objective list of who would be on your all-star team. Feel free to fill all 12 slots. Remember this list is what you make of it. If you believe the All-Star game is simply a popularity contest, made for TV ratings, and therefore just the most recognizable players get on your list, then so be it. If you think its a reward for what a given player has done this season, then make your selections accordingly. If you want to give a reason for a certain player, then go ahead. Do what you wanna do. This entry was inspired by going to nba.com and seeing that Gilbert Arenas had gotten over 64,000 votes, WHAT? How does someone that hasn't played a single minute... you know what, nevermind! Mke your all-star selections in the comments.
And with that said, Here is my all-star team, as I see it right now:
Eastern Conference Starters:
F: Lebron James, CLE (duh! by far the best player in the conference, and maybe even the league)
F: Chris Bosh, TOR (team struggles aside, dude is still a BEAST! 2010 is going to be good to this man!)
G: Rajon Rondo, BOS (the kid is a gamer, still a little inconsistent, but he and DJ Augustin are the future of PG in the East. Defensively, other than Chauncey Billups, he's the best at his position)
G: Dwyane Wade, MIA (wow, the NBA is SO much better off when he is healthy)
C: Dwight Howard, ORL (Superman, nuff said. He's a double double factory!)
East Reserves:
F: Kevin Garnett, BOS; Danny Grainger, IND; and Antawn Jamison, WAS
G: Jose Calderon, TOR; Devin Harris, NJN; and Joe Johnson, ATL
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, CLE
Western Conference Starters:
F: Tim Duncan, SAS (pencil in 22 and 11 for this guy every night, so consistently excellent)
F: Carmelo Anthony, DEN (Didn't wanna do it, but there is no one else to put here as a small forward. And no, Peja should not be in this spot, even though I vote for him every day.)
G: Chris Paul, NOH (Is there an easier pick than this, honestly? I am spoiled by the amazing things he pulls off every night. I'm waiting for him to fly or walk on water.)
G: Brandon Roy, POR (Screw you, Kobe! Get ready to be surpassed by this kid VERY soon!)
C: Andris Biedrins, GSW (Not a polished offensive player, but one the best rebounders in the West, and VERY underrated. I know Yao is going to get it, but Biedrins deserves this slot for the way he's playing.)
West Reserves:
F: Dirk Nowitski, DAL; Pau Gasol, LAL, and Carlos Boozer, UTH
G: Kobe Bryant, LAL; Tony Parker, SAS; and Chauncey Billups, DEN
C: Yao Ming, HOU


19 awesome comments post your own
Mikey
12/12/08 01:01 PM
Some guys on the bubble include the likes of Ray Allen, Josh Smith, Rip Hamilton, Shaq, Anderi Kirilenko, David West, LeMarcus Aldridge, Amare' Stoudemire, Hedo Turkoglu, Caron Butler, Andrew "Bubba Gump" Bynum, and even Chris Duhon.
Some guys with early season injuries that should not be forgotten about:
Manu and Deron Williams
#1
Niall Doherty
12/12/08 01:20 PM
I'll get back to you in a minute with a real response. Just wanted to post the link to the ballot so folks can see the names and make an informed decision:
http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/asb/eng/landing.jsp?cid=nba18
www.ndoherty.com #2
Niall Doherty
12/12/08 01:32 PM
I agree with all your starters except for Roy. I know you're sticking it to Kobe with that pick, but if we're trying to be all fair and unbiased Kobe has to get the starting nod.
One guy that you didn't mention that's worth considering is Derrick Rose. I mean, he is the Chicago Bulls right now.
www.ndoherty.com #3
ticktock6
12/12/08 01:47 PM
It's not that I don't like Kobe, but Roy IS the Blazers like you just said Derrick Rose is the Bulls. He's doing everything for them. Not so much in the sense that no one else is capable, because they are. They're a deep team. But more in the sense that he is everywhere on the floor being a leader and doing what it takes in pretty clutch ways. Kobe doesn't really need to be Kobe for the Lakers right now.
Oh wait, it is totally that I like Roy and I don't like Kobe. But I can see the argument. Of course he won't be the starter. But I'm voting for him.
hornetshype.com #4
Ryan Schwan
12/12/08 02:29 PM
As long as Deron ain't on the team, I'm happy.
Okay, not really, but it makes me laugh to pretend like it. :)
I'd dump Antawn Jamison in favor of Hedo Turkoglu or Josh Smith if Atlanta keeps it up in the East. Which is more crazy: That Nash isn't on that list of guys on the bubble, or that I don't have a problem with him not being on that list.
www.hornets247.com #5
Mikey
12/12/08 04:02 PM
Feel free to post your own all-star rosters everybody... just for the laugh, nothing serious.
#6
Mikey
12/12/08 04:15 PM
and like I said, its my list, so if I want to stick it to Kobe... my prerogative (Bobby Brown anyone) haha
#7
Niall Doherty
12/12/08 04:21 PM
Here's a list of guys who will get way more votes than they deserve:
- Vince Carter
- Allen Iverson
- Shaq
- Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian (for the same reason)
- Gilbert Arenas
- Tracy McGrady
www.ndoherty.com #8
Andrea
12/14/08 06:27 PM
West
G Chris Paul, NO
G Brandon Roy, POR
C Andris Biedrins, GSW
F Tim Duncan, SA
F Dirk Nowitzki, DAL
East
G Rajon Rondo, BOS
G Dwyane Wade, MIA
C Dwight Howard, ORL
F LeBron James, CLE
F Chris Bosh, TOR/Caron Butler, WAS
Write in: Jose Juan Barea, DAL
these are the guys I've voted for so far..I doubt Caron Butler will make the team, but man, I love his game..let's trade Peja for him!!!!
#9
saltandcarbon
12/14/08 07:41 PM
East: D12 anchors, Wade and Joe Johnson run around jacking up like men possessed, Bosh (no brainer) and LBJ up front. Reserves include Rayray, Devin H, Horford and David Lee.
West: CP3 runs the whole show, Roy defers gracefully to CP3's will, Timmy D IS the greatest power forward to play, Dirk has been possessed lately, and Al Jeff deserves the pivot. Reserves include our own Fluffy, Kobe, Pau and the guy who keeps sending TMac to the mat. Nice work that guy.
#10
Mikey
12/16/08 11:50 AM
I wanted so bad to put Dirk and TD21 in the same frontcourt. I guess Dirk could play SF. I went with Melo because he's the only real multi-faceted threat in the West at SF, even though he doesn't really deserve to be on this list.
#11
StefanC
12/16/08 12:51 PM
West Starters:
G - Chris Paul (It was so tough deciding between him and Antonio Daniels)
G - Kobe Bryant (I don't like it, but he has to be in this)
F - Dirk Nowitzki (Not a true SF, but I'm not putting Melo in this)
F - Tim Duncan (Best PF of all time. Even better than fluffy)
C - Al Jefferson (Much better than Yao in my opinion)
Reserves: Melo, B Roy, Fluffy, Gasol, Parker, Williams, etc.
East Starters:
G - D Wade (Great comeback. Deserves it.)
G - Joe Johnson (Still very underrated in my opinion)
F - Chris Bosh (Best all around PF in the East, who's playing the small here)
F - Kevin Garnett (Old, still got it though)
C - Dwight Howard (Gee, it was Dwight or Dwight. Tough pick)
Reserves: Who cares, right??
#12
Niall Doherty
12/16/08 12:57 PM
Paul Pierce cares!
www.ndoherty.com #13
ticktock6
12/16/08 01:14 PM
Ray Allen cares more.
hornetshype.com #14
Niall Doherty
12/16/08 02:33 PM
But that's only because he's not as hot as Paul Pierce, right ticktock?
www.ndoherty.com #15
ticktock6
12/16/08 02:42 PM
No, P2 is just a badass that (very attractive) way.
But actually because Allen has been the best Celtic this year.
hornetshype.com #16
Roc217
12/18/08 05:50 PM
Speaking of Duncan. No one's mentioned the jawing between he and CP. thought that was pretty interesting. CP was super hyped about this game. I didn't see what the fuss was about.
#17
Roc217
12/18/08 05:51 PM
Oops wrong topic. Ignore
#18
Niall Doherty
12/18/08 06:14 PM
No worries, Roc217. Check out this Lagniappe post:
http://www.hornets247.com/news/lagniappe/2008/12/18/tim-duncan-has-some-kind-words-with-chris-paul
www.ndoherty.com #19