Last week, the NBA announced the results of the fan voting for the Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Star Game starters. This past Tuesday, coaches around the league were asked to vote for reserves. The coaches are restricted from voting for their own players, and additionally must select to fill in the following positions: reserve center, two forwards, two guards, and two "wild cards". Will there be one or two Chicago Bulls players announced to the reserve roster today?
There is usually some attempt by conference coaches to acknowledge that winning teams usually are doing well due to the efforts of more than one player, playing at an All-Star Level. With that in mind, here's the top 4 teams in the East (records as of February 3rd): Boston (37-11)
Chicago (34-14)
Miami (34-14)
Atlanta (31-18)And in the West:San Antonio (40-8)
LA Lakers (34-15)
Dallas (33-15)
Oklahoma City (31-17)I can't say that I've been able to watch most of the NBA teams outside the snippets of games that NBA TV is able to show, and the occasional game on ESPN or TNT. But, I'll presume that if I were a coach I'd want to vote for those opposing players that required some attention in scouting or defensive strategies. Let's project out the West reserves:Center - Nene (Denver)Yao Ming is actually out for the season, so David Stern will be naming an injury replacement. I would love to see Pau Gasol or Tim Duncan voted into this slot, but they are officially designated as "forwards". Thus I wouldn't be surprised to see Nene on the team. If not for Tyson Chandler's injury, he might have gotten some attention at this spot. Forwards - Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) The Clippers have been winning more consistently as of late, winning 9 straight at home until being beaten by the Bulls. A large part of their resurgence has been the force / freak of nature that is Blake Griffin. Odom has been a key factor for the Lakers on both sides of the floor. Guards - Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Manu Ginobli (San Antonio) Westbrook has made another evolutionary step forward offensively, though he seems to have taken a small step back defensively. Ginobli has been consistently thriving in San Antonio's new fast paced approach to offense. Wild Cards - LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Tony Parker (San Antonio) Aldridge easily is the name that will make Bulls fans wince, given who was drafted instead. With Brandon Roy, Aldridge has been keeping Portland in the playoff hunt, with his never highlight-reel generating, but mostly consistent play. I expect Tony Parker to be named here as the second Spur, a nod to how well the Spurs have been performing all season. My All-Star Snub: Kevin Love (Minnesota)Dominating numbers aside, for points, rebounds and even 3 point shooting, it's easy to argue that Kevin Love should be considered and on the team. But for all of these numbers that he generates, Minnesota isn't noticeably more difficult to play against. He'll have a better shot next season, I think. And the East reserves:Center - Al Horford (Atlanta)Another one of those always consistent, but never exciting players. You'll absolutely love him if you are a Hawks fan, and most casual fans won't be able to spot his contributions, but the most deserving of any of the Hawks this season. Forwards - Paul Pierce (Boston), Carlos Boozer (Chicago) If you expected Pierce to start to slow down a little at the age of 33, your expectations have likely been shattered. Offensively and defensively, he's been doing as well or better compared to previous seasons, a big key to Boston's top record in the East. It's a bit of a homer pick, I'll admit. But without Noah, the presence of Boozer has created the kind of spacing that's allowed Luol Deng to flourish, and push the Bulls into a second place in the East. He can be a defensive liability, but offensively, he's the double double generator that the Bulls were envisioning. Guards - Rajon Rondo (Boston), Ray Allen (Boston) Rondo's ability to affect a game with his play-making on both ends of the floor can be devastating when it's on. He's an excellent passer whose assist totals have leaped from 9.8 apg to 12.5 apg (friendly Boston score-keeping notwithstanding). On defense, he'll rack up steals through his defensive instincts, speed and timing, rather than through constant gambling as some other players tend to do. With Allen, it's hard to leave out a player that's shooting over 50% from the field, and 45% from 3 point land. It is odd that he is shooting 85% from the free throw stripe, the first time in about 6 seasons that he's been below 90%. Wild Cards - Kevin Garnett (Boston), Raymond Felton (New York) Much like Pierce, has apparently recovered from previous seasons' knee injuries, and wrecking havoc on both ends of the floor. Before New York, Felton seemed to be on a career trajectory, where he put up solid numbers for mediocre teams, destined to transition from starter to wily veteran guard until transforming into an assistant coach. Instead, he's transformed into a key cog in the resurrection of New York basketball. As much as we like to think that anyone can flourish in the D'Antoni system, New York's last 2 losing seasons is proof that it isn't for everyone. My All-Star Snub - Luol Deng (Chicago)He's a big reason why the Bulls have been consistent despite not having Noah and Boozer on the court for very long. I don't imagine that he'd get enough votes from coaches that don't play the Bulls as often. My Intentional Snub - Chris Bosh (Miami)I've always thought that he's been overrated. Being on a better team with better players (Wade and James), hasn't changed my opinion at all. Too bad the Bulls marketing department couldn't woo coaches like they did with fans:
There is usually some attempt by conference coaches to acknowledge that winning teams usually are doing well due to the efforts of more than one player, playing at an All-Star Level. With that in mind, here's the top 4 teams in the East (records as of February 3rd): Boston (37-11)Chicago (34-14)
Miami (34-14)
Atlanta (31-18)And in the West:San Antonio (40-8)
LA Lakers (34-15)
Dallas (33-15)
Oklahoma City (31-17)I can't say that I've been able to watch most of the NBA teams outside the snippets of games that NBA TV is able to show, and the occasional game on ESPN or TNT. But, I'll presume that if I were a coach I'd want to vote for those opposing players that required some attention in scouting or defensive strategies. Let's project out the West reserves:Center - Nene (Denver)Yao Ming is actually out for the season, so David Stern will be naming an injury replacement. I would love to see Pau Gasol or Tim Duncan voted into this slot, but they are officially designated as "forwards". Thus I wouldn't be surprised to see Nene on the team. If not for Tyson Chandler's injury, he might have gotten some attention at this spot. Forwards - Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) The Clippers have been winning more consistently as of late, winning 9 straight at home until being beaten by the Bulls. A large part of their resurgence has been the force / freak of nature that is Blake Griffin. Odom has been a key factor for the Lakers on both sides of the floor. Guards - Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Manu Ginobli (San Antonio) Westbrook has made another evolutionary step forward offensively, though he seems to have taken a small step back defensively. Ginobli has been consistently thriving in San Antonio's new fast paced approach to offense. Wild Cards - LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Tony Parker (San Antonio) Aldridge easily is the name that will make Bulls fans wince, given who was drafted instead. With Brandon Roy, Aldridge has been keeping Portland in the playoff hunt, with his never highlight-reel generating, but mostly consistent play. I expect Tony Parker to be named here as the second Spur, a nod to how well the Spurs have been performing all season. My All-Star Snub: Kevin Love (Minnesota)Dominating numbers aside, for points, rebounds and even 3 point shooting, it's easy to argue that Kevin Love should be considered and on the team. But for all of these numbers that he generates, Minnesota isn't noticeably more difficult to play against. He'll have a better shot next season, I think. And the East reserves:Center - Al Horford (Atlanta)Another one of those always consistent, but never exciting players. You'll absolutely love him if you are a Hawks fan, and most casual fans won't be able to spot his contributions, but the most deserving of any of the Hawks this season. Forwards - Paul Pierce (Boston), Carlos Boozer (Chicago) If you expected Pierce to start to slow down a little at the age of 33, your expectations have likely been shattered. Offensively and defensively, he's been doing as well or better compared to previous seasons, a big key to Boston's top record in the East. It's a bit of a homer pick, I'll admit. But without Noah, the presence of Boozer has created the kind of spacing that's allowed Luol Deng to flourish, and push the Bulls into a second place in the East. He can be a defensive liability, but offensively, he's the double double generator that the Bulls were envisioning. Guards - Rajon Rondo (Boston), Ray Allen (Boston) Rondo's ability to affect a game with his play-making on both ends of the floor can be devastating when it's on. He's an excellent passer whose assist totals have leaped from 9.8 apg to 12.5 apg (friendly Boston score-keeping notwithstanding). On defense, he'll rack up steals through his defensive instincts, speed and timing, rather than through constant gambling as some other players tend to do. With Allen, it's hard to leave out a player that's shooting over 50% from the field, and 45% from 3 point land. It is odd that he is shooting 85% from the free throw stripe, the first time in about 6 seasons that he's been below 90%. Wild Cards - Kevin Garnett (Boston), Raymond Felton (New York) Much like Pierce, has apparently recovered from previous seasons' knee injuries, and wrecking havoc on both ends of the floor. Before New York, Felton seemed to be on a career trajectory, where he put up solid numbers for mediocre teams, destined to transition from starter to wily veteran guard until transforming into an assistant coach. Instead, he's transformed into a key cog in the resurrection of New York basketball. As much as we like to think that anyone can flourish in the D'Antoni system, New York's last 2 losing seasons is proof that it isn't for everyone. My All-Star Snub - Luol Deng (Chicago)He's a big reason why the Bulls have been consistent despite not having Noah and Boozer on the court for very long. I don't imagine that he'd get enough votes from coaches that don't play the Bulls as often. My Intentional Snub - Chris Bosh (Miami)I've always thought that he's been overrated. Being on a better team with better players (Wade and James), hasn't changed my opinion at all. Too bad the Bulls marketing department couldn't woo coaches like they did with fans: