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The league's 29 coaches will name the reserves for the Feb. 10th
All-Star game on Tuesday.
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| Pierce |
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| Kidd |
I figured, why wait? I'll pick them now and save everyone the trouble.
But I'm not going to do it in the usual 5-5-2 fashion: five guards,
five forwards, two centers. Why slam a square peg into a round hole? The
game has changed. Everyone is going small. Size has never been at more of a
premium. So I'm picking the best guys, regardless of position. And as
regular readers know, I believe strongly that the rosters should be expanded
to 15 players. But for argument's sake, I'll stick to the usual 12.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia; Michael Jordan, Washington;
Vince Carter, Toronto; Antoine Walker, Boston; Dikembe Mutombo,
Philadelphia.
My Reserves:
Ray Allen, Milwaukee. Allen still hasn't looked at the tape of Game
7 of the Eastern Finals against Philly last year. But this season's
stroke (43 percent on threes) remains as pure as any. Of course, George Karl
is still unhappy with Walter Ray's leadership, but you can't have
everything.
Baron Davis, Charlotte. A straight-up baller who scores, dishes (fifth
in the league in assists) and plays almost 41 minutes a night.
Jason Kidd, New Jersey. Right now, he's got my vote for MVP. That could
change I grant you. But has anyone else had a bigger impact on the league
than Kidd has with the Nets? Anyone who throws his shooting percentage at
you doesn't know squat about hoops. Kenyon Martin says that Kidd tells him
if he has one step-one-on his defender, that Kidd is going to pass him the
ball. Good enough for me.
Tracy McGrady, Orlando. Top 10 in scoring, leading the Magic in scoring
and boards, second in assists. Carrying the load pretty much by himself.
Andre Miller, Cleveland. If this kid doesn't start getting some pub,
it'll be a shame. Leading the league in assists in near obscurity.
Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana. Not because you have to have a second center,
but because the Other O'Neal has earned it. Caps 2.4 shots a night and plays
big inside. As a member of the Blazers asked me the other night, "why'd we
ever trade the guy?"
Paul Pierce, Boston. Let me be clear on this. If Pierce (second in the
league in scoring, third in both three-pointers made and free
throws made) isn't picked by the coaches, I'm not going to Philly.
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| Stackhouse |
This isn't good news for: Jerry Stackhouse, Detroit; Kenyon Martin, New
Jersey; Alonzo Mourning, Miami; Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters: Steve Francis, Houston; Kobe Bryant, Lakers; Kevin Garnett,
Minnesota; Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers.
My Reserves:
Elton Brand, Clippers. Straps on the feedbag every night and goes to
work at the toughest position in the league -- Western Conference power
forward. Eighteen points and 11 boards a night, and shooting 52 percent from
the floor and giving the Clips real presence.
Karl Malone, Utah. We know he has no interest in going to Philly to
play, but it's his fault; he's still toting the mail at 39, with no signs of
stopping.
Steve Nash, Dallas. Flat-out shoots the lights out in all directions:
49 percent overall from the floor, 44 percent from threes, 88 percent from
the line. Oh, and eight dimes a night, too.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas. The Diggler catches most of Nash's passes, and
he knows what to do with them. Top 10 in scoring and just outside the top 10
in boards. Has become perhaps the league's top clutch shooter.
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| Payton |
Gary Payton, Seattle. The Glove has finally seen the light: if you want
an extension, or a trade, you have to act like a professional. He's been all
aces by all accounts this season, helping teammates on and off the floor.
But on the floor (nearly 23 points and more than nine assists nightly) is
where we come in, and Payton's been fabulous in leading the surprising
Sonics toward a playoff berth.
Wally Szczerbiak, Minnesota. Has flourished offensively by moving to
shooting guard, where he's shooting 51 percent. But he isn't getting
embarrassed on D, either; he's held his own against the likes of Jordan and
Bryant.
Predrag Stojakovic, Sacramento. With Chris Webber out the first six weeks
of the season, Stank put the Kings on his still-slim frame (44.8 percent
from threes) and led them to the league's best record. Working better
without the ball and is no longer a defensive liability.
This isn't good news for: Chris Webber, Sacramento; Rasheed Wallace, Portland; Shawn Marion,
Phoenix; Stephon Marbury, Phoenix; Michael Finley, Dallas.
The drum 'role' please
Now that that's done, I have another group that deserves mention. These
would be the conference's unsung all-stars, guys that do the scut work every
night without much glory or pay, who understand what the term "role player"
really means and help their teams win games. I only had two criteria for
them: 1) they had to help their teams win, and 2) they couldn't stand a
chance in hell of making the other all-star team.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
GUARDS
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| Snow |
Eric Snow, Philadelphia. Gets his team into its offense, usually takes
on the other team's top perimeter scorer and throws his body all over the
floor with plates in his wrist and ankle.
Darrell Armstrong, Orlando. Still quicker from A to Z than just about
anyone with a basketball; still top 10 in steals; would likely have better
numbers except the Magic are determined to limit his minutes to prevent
burnout later in the season.
FORWARDS
Eric Williams, Boston. Guards forwards that are bigger and stronger,
doesn't matter, just guards them.
Popeye Jones, Washington. Stepped in for the injured Christian Laettner
at power forward, and despite not being especially powerful, or in
possession of many ups, gets by every night on smarts and toughness.
CENTER
Ben Wallace, Detroit. Has become a true defensive force, leading the
league in blocks. Is top five in boards. Is top one in ridiculous hairdos.
But don't let the locks fool you; about 25 teams would love to have him in
the hole every night.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
GUARDS
Jeff McInnis, Clippers. Hits more clutch shots per capita for any point
guard since Vernon Maxwell. When the Clips need a basket, more often than
not, it's McInnis that gets it for them.
Adrian Griffin, Dallas. With Michael Finley out, Griffin has stepped in
and the Mavs haven't missed a beat. Griffin is obviously not the scorer
Finley is, but he rarely gets beat defensively and he can score without a
play being run for him.
Doug Christie, Sacramento. The Kings still take their defensive cues
from Christie, who smothers most two guards night in and out and still has
the energy to hit a clutch three when the ball's rotated his way.
FORWARDS
Danny Fortson, Golden State. Finally healthy after missing almost all
of last season, he's a blunt instrument of a man who is second in the league
in rebounding through sheer force of will.
CENTER
Raef LaFrentz, Denver. In a perfect world, a guy that hits threes and
blocks shots like this guy would get more attention. Now that Dan Issel is
gone, I suspect the Nuggets will realize what a gem they have.
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