All Star Thoughts

Posted by Keith Haney on January 29, 2009

The starter for the 2009 All Star game were announced last week and most of the guys actually deserve to be on the team for once. Congratulations fans, you voted wisely!

The only change I would make is with Allen Iverson. He hasn’t been nearly good enough this year to be on the East team ahead of some other great guards. Here would be my starting five for each team:

West
Chris Paul – PG
Kobe Bryant – SG
Carmelo Anthony – SF
Tim Duncan – PF
Yao Ming – C

West Reserves
Tony Parker – PG
Brandon Roy – SG
Dirk Nowitzki – PF
Pau Gasol – C
Amare Stoudemire – PF
Shaquille O’Neal – C
Paul Millsap – PF

East
Jameer Nelson – PG
Dwayne Wade – SG
Lebron James – SF
Kevin Garnett – PF
Dwight Howard – C

East Reserves
Devin Harris – PG
Rajon Rondo – PG
Joe Johnson – SG
Andre Igoudala – SG
Danny Granger – SF
Chris Bosh – PF
Tayshaun Prince – SF/PF

What this really does is pits a big team (the West) versus a fast team (the East). I would give the West the victory in this scenario for an All-Star game.

What I wish they would/could do was have the top player in each conference pick his All-Star team playground style. I would make Kobe and Lebron the team captains and have them alternate picks from an open field of the above players. Think how competitive that game would be? How motivated would the last player picked be?

Here’s how I would see that scenario playing out as the selection process would take place on TNT the night before the game. I would give Kobe first selection since the Lakers have a better record than the Cavs.

Kobe: “Hmmm…. Gotta go big, I’ll pick Mr. Fundamental, Tim Duncan.”
(Cut to a shot of Pau Gasol looking dejected as Kobe’s competitive nature shines through and shuns his teammate)
Lebron: “OK. OK. Gotta match ya. I’ll take Superman – Dwight Howard”
Kobe: “Nice pick. I gotta have someone get me the rock. CP3. Can’t stop him.”
Lebron: “Dang. I wanted him. Oh well. Can’t complain though cuz I’m taking my main man Dwayne Wade. Flash is back.”
Kobe: “Well well. Since we’re taking this serious, I need a solid defensive stopper. I’m going with KG. With him, anything is Possssiiibbbbllllleee”
Lebron: “Thanks for leaving me the biggest man in the NBA – Yao Ming.”
Kobe: “I’ll match that with Gasol. Sorry for not picking you sooner buddy.”
(Gasol trots over to Kobe with a dejected look on his face. This late pick may have just cost Kobe a championship as Pau quits on him in the playoffs later this season)
Lebron: “OK. I’ll take Carmelo Anthony. Boy is like my brother.”
Kobe: “Gotta go with Chris Bosh. He was an Olympian after all.”
Lebron: ” “Easy choice for me then. The big Aristotle – Shaq. Tell me how that tastes.”
(OK, he wouldn’t say that, but I would!)
Kobe: “Looks like we’re taking all the big men first. Two can play at that game. Give me Amare. He’s the real reason Shaq is having a good year anyways.”
Lebron: “Gotta have the last MVP on the board – Mr. Nowitzki.”
Kobe: “Hmmm… You haven’t picked a point guard yet. Maybe I’ll just take them all. Gimme Mr. Longoria – Tony Parker.”
Lebron: “That’s alright. I’ll stick with my boys from the East and take Devin Harris. Boy is having a breakout year.”
Kobe: “I need another lock down defender who can soar. I’ll take Andre Igoudala.
Lebron: “He ain’t gonna lock down Joe Johnson.”
Kobe: “I’m sticking with my guys in the West and going with Brandon Roy.”
Lebron: “I’ll stay East then and grab Tayshaun Prince.”
Kobe: “Need a rebounder to grab all those bricks you guys are about to throw up. I’ll take Paul Millsap.”
Lebron: “A downtown threat who can handle the rock, Jameer Nelson is my guy.”
Kobe: “In his first of many All Star appearances to come, I’ll take Indiana’s own Batman, Danny Granger. Come on Pacers – give this man a Robin in the offseason so they can win some games.”
Lebron: “That leaves the secret weapon up in Boston – Rajon Rondo – for me.”

That’s it then. That’s how I’d see the teams breaking down. Here’s the order they would have been picked in. You may disagree with this order and even some of the selections period. Let me know if you do.

I’d see Kobe’s team winning by a nose – 125 – 121. Kobe would hit a shot to put them ahead with 10 seconds left and then Lebron would miss a jumper in an attempt to answer him. A couple of free throws by CP3 would seal the deal for Kobe’s team.

Kobe’s Team

1) Tim Duncan
2) Chris Paul
3) Kevin Garnett
4) Pau Gasol
5) Chris Bosh
6) Amare Stoudamire
7) Tony Parker
8 ) Andre Igoudala
9) Brandon Roy
10) Paul Millsap
11) Danny Granger

Lebron’s Team

1) Dwight Howard
2) Dwayne Wade
3) Yao Ming
4) Carmelo Anthony
5) Shaquille O’Neal
6) Dirk Nowitzki
7) Devin Harris
8 ) Joe Johnson
9) Tayshaun Prince
10) Jameer Nelson
11) Rajon Rondo

3 Comments

Edward Banks on January 30, 2009 said:

This year I would rather see the reserves instead of the starters… and where is D-Will?

Mal on January 31, 2009 said:

I love this idea! How tight would it be to see captains like Kobe and LeBron pick their teams? I probably would make them stay within their conference, but this is the best idea since sliced bread. Pitch it to Stern, Keith.

justonechampionship on January 31, 2009 said:

This is funny, but just like mal said, kobe and lebron should pick within their own conference.

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