All-Star Reserves Announced

[og15]

Ray Allen would like to amend the system that selects players for the NBA All-Star Game, which this season will be played in Los Angeles on Feb. 15.

The Sonics guard wants players to be involved in the process, as they are in the NFL, where player voting accounts for a third of the balloting.

"The only thing I want is for the best five players to start the game and most often that doesn't happen," Allen said. "More often than not, it's a popularity contest. ... Guys who were MVP candidates the year before are starting and some guys who are deserving get left out."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001849514_sonicsreport03.html






Shawn Marion, with his team at 18-32, is not expecting another invitation to the Feb. 15 game in Los Angeles.

"I don't care about that stuff," Marion said. "We're not winning. That's what happens . . . Actually, I didn't enjoy myself last year. But it was cool. Everybody should get a chance to experience it."

[Anonymous]

That's understandable. And I would agree with that too. I just hope he doesn't think he belongs in the starting five rightnow.

[og15]

For the bench, the process went two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position.


Joining Kidd on the East team will be
Boston's Paul Pierce
New Orleans' Baron Davis

First-time All-Stars
Ron Artest of Indiana,
Michael Redd of Milwaukee,
Kenyon Martin New Jersey and
Jamaal Magloire of New Orleans.




In the West
First-timers Sam Cassell of Minnesota
Andrei Kirilenko of Utah

Join
Shaquille O'Neal
Dirk Nowitzki, of Dallas
Peja Stojakovic and
Brad Miller of Sacramento and
Ray Allen of Seattle on the West squad.





EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

Head coach: Rick Carlisle (Indiana)

*Allen Iverson Philadelphia G
*Tracy McGrady Orlando G/F
*Vince Carter Toronto F
*Jermaine O'Neal Indiana C/F
*Ben Wallace Detroit C


Bench
Baron Davis New Orleans G
Jason Kidd New Jersey G
Jamaal Magloire New Orleans C
Kenyon Martin New Jersey F
Paul Pierce Boston G/F

Throw-Ins
Michael Redd Milwaukee G
Ron Artest Indiana F


WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS
Head coach: Flip Saunders (Minnesota)

*Steve Francis Houston G
*Kobe Bryant L.A. Lakers G
*Kevin Garnett Minnesota F
*Tim Duncan San Antonio F
*Yao Ming Houston C

Bench
Sam Cassell Minnesota G
Ray Allen Seattle G
Peja Stojakovic Sacramento F
Dirk Nowitzki Dallas F/C
Shaquille O'Neal L.A. Lakers C

Throw-Ins
Andrei Kirilenko Utah F
Brad Miller Sacramento C

[The-Answer]

WTF!? No Bibby? BS!

[og15]

Well Cassell deserved it over him, no doubt, and Ray Allen has been spectacular for Seattle, so he did too.

So Bibby had a chance still as a throw-in player, but Kirelenko and Brad Miller took those, unless he deserves it more than those guys its pretty fair.

[ut_jazz]

YES!! AK made it in.He definately deserved it. All the "experts" expected the jazz to finish last in the nba and he's the reason we are sitting at .500 right now.

[og15]

Before writing, look at the positions, and don't complain about players not making it over guys in different positions, unless it was a throw in player.

Like I said in the beginning 2 guards, 2 forwards, a center and 2 throw ins, so they can't vote Lebron, Starbury, Billups, and Rip over Magloire, Kenyon or Pierce. Just Kidd, Baron, Redd and Artest.

In the West Melo, Maggette and Marion can only be voted over Peja, Dirk, Kirelenko and Miller

Nash and Bibby over Cassell, Ray, Kirelenko and Miller

[TheGameShutDown]

I'm not that sure about AK. He's had a standout year, but not really all-star in my mind. Marion, Randolph, and Rashard Lewis have been more impressive in my opinion. You could even make a case for Carmelo Anthony, though we all knew that if Lebron's not going, neither is Carmelo.

Jesus has been out for most of the season, though he's been more than spectacular for the Sonics. Steve Francis just doesn't cut it for me though. I'd rather have Sam Cassell starting and Gary Payton as the reserve point.

[Blackwiz]

You could even make a case for Carmelo Anthony, though we all knew that if Lebron's not going, neither is Carmelo.




well said, they just wouldn't do it any other way

[TMAGIC]

Id take Elton Brand over AK47.

[alcstarheel]

Even though Mr. "He Got Game" made it, and I love his game, I wanted Bibby to go. He's been killing for the Kings, and has been doing it for a couple of years.

Ray's missed the first half of the first half of the season, and he hasn't played all the games the others have played, which really puts him out, in my opinion.

But it looks good on both sides. I think it'll be a good game, even though the West will win again.

ALCS

[og15]

But the Clippers aren't winning and Brand pointed to their record as the reason why he won't be playing in Los Angeles. "I understand," Brand said. "If we had a winning record, I might have made it. I definitely understand that. If I was a coach, I'd vote the same way. You reward winning. I know I can kick Brad Miller's butt anytime -- he's a good friend, I'm just kidding -- but it's not about that. It's about winning."



Also did nyone see Andre Miller block Dirk, geez