Keefe's '09-'10 NBA All-Stars

Last Thursday the starters for next month's NBA All-Star game in Dallas were announced. Thankfully T-Mac was not one of them, but I still did not agree with all 10, specifically Iverson. In the East you have; Dwight Howard (ok), Kevin Garnett (no way), LeBron James (for the next 10 years), Dwyane Wade (ditto, if healthy), and Allen Iverson (terrible).

Western starters: Amare Stoudemire (fine), Tim Duncan (of course), Carmelo Anthony (well deserved), Steve Nash (fair enough), Kobe Bryant (best player in the game).

Based off of that, here is who I believe should be the 7 man bench units, that will be announced on Thursday... only on TNT!

Eastern Conference Subs:

Gerald Wallace, Bobcats (18.5 points 11 rebounds)
Chris Bosh, Raptors (24.2 points 11.1 rebounds)
Joe Johnson, Hawks (21.1 points 4.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists)
Rajon Rondo, Celtics (14.2 points 9.6 assists, 2.5 steals)
David Lee, Knicks (19.2 points, 11.4 rebounds)
Paul Pierce, Celtics (18.9 points, 4.8 rebounds)
Antawn Jamison, Wizards (21.7 points, 8.6 rebounds)

Guys who should be in, in place of Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson:

Josh Smith, Hawks (15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.68 stocks)
Brandon Jennings, Bucks (17.9 points, 6.2 assists)

Western Conference Subs:

Zach Randolph, Grizzlies (20.9 points, 11.5 rebounds)
Chris Paul, Hornets (20 points, 11.2 assists, 2.25 steals)
Deron Williams, Jazz (18.9 points, 9.6 assists)
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (25.1 points, 7.9 rebounds)
Kevin Durant, Thunder (29.3 points, 7.3 rebounds)
Brandon Roy, Blazers (23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5 assists)
Chris Kamen, Clippers (20.1 points, 9.1 rebounds)

All of the West starters deserve to be at least on the roster, therefore here are the toughest omissions:

Pau Gasol, Lakers (17.1 points, 10.9 points, 27 games)
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies (20.5 points, 6 rebounds)
Tyreke Evans, Kings (20.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists)
Aaron Brooks, Rockets (18.7 points, 5 assists)

-Keefe

2009 NBA All-Stars

The starters for next month's NBA All-Star game were announced last night and look like this.

East:

Dwyane Wade, Heat
Allen Iverson, Pistons
LeBron James, Cavs
Kevin Garnett, Celtics
Dwight Howard, Magic

West:

Chris Paul, Hornets
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Tim Duncan, Spurs
Amare Stoudemire, Suns
Yao Ming, Rockets

Fun fact: Only 4 of the 10 All-Star starters played college basketball with two of them going to Wake Forest (Paul and Duncan).

The reserves will be named on Thursday, so before that happens, I'll will give you my picks on who should fill out these rosters.

In the East?

Paul Pierce, Celtics
Devin Harris, Nets
Danny Granger, Pacers
Chris Bosh, Raptors
Joe Johnson, Hawks
Jameer Nelson, Magic
Vince Carter, Nets

In the West?

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Brandon Roy, Blazers
Pau Gasol, Lakers,
Tony Parker, Spurs
Chauncey Billups, Nuggets
Shaquille O'Neal, Suns
Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets

On the fense in both conferences:

Deron Williams, Jazz
Mehmet Okur, Jazz
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
Caron Butler, Wizards
Antawn Jamison, Wizards
Marcus Camby, Clippers
Rajon Rondo, Celtics
Ray Allen, Celtics
Steve Nash, Suns

Remember where you heard it first. Also there is a great MMA ppv on Saturday, Affliction's 2nd show featuring Fedor vs. Arlovski. I'll try to get the results up as soon as possible.

-Keefe