2012 NBA All-Star Line-ups: My Predictions

Although the season is only a couple of months old, we already have the starting line-ups of the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando. (Of course we have to thank the 2011 NBA lockout and the condensed 66-game season for that).

And this brings us to an annual tradition of Big Lakers Fan: predicting the All-Star line-ups!

I had pretty mediocre success rate last year-- I only got 18 out of 24 after the initial announcement of the All-Star reserves. It's now harder to predict the reserves because of the limited action on the court, but I'll do my best.

Here are my predictions for the 2012 NBA All-Star line-up (Starters are written in bold)

West All-Stars:

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (G)
2. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers (G)
3. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers (C)
4. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (F)
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (F)
6. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (G)
7. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs (G)
8. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers (F/C)
9. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (F)
10. Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz (F)
11. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets (G)
12. Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves (F)

East All-Stars:

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (G)
2. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (G)
3. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (C)
4. LeBron James, Miami Heat (F)
5. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks (F)
6. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers (G/F)
7. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (G/F)
8. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (G)
9. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers (C)
10. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, (F/C)
11. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G)
12. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers (F)

The line-ups have been historically peppered with questionable selections, and mine is not different. I think coaches will reward the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers with at least an All-Star. And as much as I think Chris Bosh is not deserving, I don't think there's a big man in the Eastern Conference that merits my nod of approval.


Technorati: NBA

2011 NBA All-Star Game Line-ups Completed

The NBA has just released the complete line-ups for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles and it's a bit of a shocker.

Before I share my thoughts, here are the complete line-ups:

West All-Stars:

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (G)
2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (G)
3. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets (C)*
4. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (F)
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (F)
6. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (F)
7. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (F)
8. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs (G)
9. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (G)
10. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (G)
11. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (F)
12. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz (G)

* - Will be replaced due to injury

East All-Stars:

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (G)
2. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (G)
3. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (C)
4. LeBron James, Miami Heat (F)
5. Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks (F)
6. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (F)
7. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G)
8. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (F)
9. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics (G)
10. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (G)
11. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks (F/C)
12. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat (F)

Compared to last year, I got a lower success rate in predicting the All-Star line-ups. Out of the 24, I got 18 right. (Last year, I correctly predicted 21). One thing to note is that Yao Ming will be replaced. Hopefully Lamar Odom will get the nod.

Over-all, the selection of the NBA coaches raises a lot of questions:

1. Tim Duncan, who is a having a career-low year, gets the selected over Tony Parker
2. Blake Griffin, who is playing on a crappy team, gets selected. Monta Ellis and Kevin Love must be fuming right now.
3. The Boston Celtics have four All-Stars. What a complete joke.
4. The coaches have snubbed the play of Zach Randolph and LaMarcus Aldridge.
5. Chris Bosh is an All-Star. I'd rather get drop-kicked in the gut by a Mexican midget wrestler than see Chris "Like a Bosh" Bosh selected, to be honest.

I'm very disappointed by this year's selections, but the coaches have made their final say. Us fans will just rant.


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Fearless Forecast: 2011 NBA All-Star Game Line-ups

The NBA just announced the starting lineups for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. The way I see it, the fans got it right with the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant leading the way, even though Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, who is out for the season due to injuries, got a nod to start. That's just giving us fans the voice and power to put who the we want in the starting line-up.

Now comes the interesting part: the reserves.

I made a prediction of the 2010 All-Star line-ups and I got 21 out of the 24 players. Here's my try for the 2011 All-Star Game (starters are written in bold):

West All-Stars:

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (G)
2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (G)
3. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (F/C)**
4. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (F)
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (F)
6. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers (F)
7. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (F)
8. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs (G)
9. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs (G)
10. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (G)
11. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies (F)
12. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers (F/C)

** - I predict that NBA Commissioner David Stern will select Pau Gasol to replace Yao Ming.

My tough omissions: Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Monta Ellis, Tim Duncan, Deron Williams

East All-Stars:

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (G)
2. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (G)
3. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (C)
4. LeBron James, Miami Heat (F)
5. Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks (F)
6. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (F)
7. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G)
8. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (F)
9. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (G)
10. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks (F/C)
11. Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls (F)
12. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks (C)

My tough omissions: Chris Bosh, Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton

Of course, all of this assumes that Carmelo Anthony will stay put in Denver. :)


Technorati: NBA All-Star Game 2011

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol Make West All-Star Team at First Ballot

Big 2011 NBA All-Star Game news!

Two members of the Los Angeles Lakers have made it to the Western Conference Team as the results of the first round of counting was done: Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

This is big because this is the first time two Lakers have made it to the first count since Kobe and Shaquille O'neal were declared front-runners for the 2002 NBA All-Star game. What makes it equally exciting for Lakers fans is that Pau Gasol has made the Top 2 in the forwards division, a space usually reserved for Tim Duncan or Carmelo Anthony.

Gasol got 390,808 votes in the first set of results, edging Anthony's 369,768. By All-Star voting standards, that lead is not safe and it would take a simple pitch from Anthony to swing back the lead in his favor. But this should encourage Lakers fans to keep on voting for Pau.

Hypothetically, the Lakers have a good chance of fielding three starters. This is because Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets announced that he aggravated an injury and will be out for the season. This open things up fir Andrew Bynum, who just needs to show up, if you ask me.

So vote for the members of the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2011 NBA All-Star Game now at NBA.com!


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Can You Slam? Show Your Stuff at the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown

For the second year, Sprite and the NBA are challenging fans to upload videos of them dunking as part of the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown, the search for the best amateur dunker.

Through Monday, August 16, 2010 videos can be uploaded to www.NBA.com/dunk and the competition will culminate with four finalists at NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles.

If you're 18 and older, you can upload a video showcasing your best dunk and check out other dunkers’ submissions. LeBron James (*groan*) will lead a panel of judges to pick the top two qualifiers from the online entries. The two online finalists will receive a $1,000 prize and a Flip MinoHD™.

Please visit NBA.com/dunk, for full details and information about the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown. 


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Lakers Grades at the 2010 All-Star Weekend

The Los Angeles Lakers has been very active in participating in the NBA All-Star Weekend and the team members have performed pretty well in past All-Star Games (Kobe Bryant won the All-Star MVP three times and Shaquille O'Neal won MVP two times as a Laker in the past decade). How did the Lakers fare this year?
Here are my grades to the Lakers who had something to do with the 2010 events:

• Kobe Bryant (INC.) - He skipped the most-attended basketball game in Dallas due to a nagging ankle injury. It's a good call for the franchise but a big hit in Kobe's All-Star Weekend resume. 
• Pau Gasol - (B+) - He was brilliant with Brent Barry and Marie Ferdinand-Harris on the NBA Shooting Stars competition (They finished second), but Pau was a "meh" in the All-Star Game. The game is the third All-Star Game for his career, but he only managed to score 13 points and grab 6 boards in a no-defense game.
• Shannon Brown (F) - Don't get me wrong. Shannon Brown is an accomplished in-game dunker, but failed to elevate his status as a dunk artist in the 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The hype leading into the competition really got Lakers fans riled up, but the contest was HUGE letdown. Maybe next year Shannon.

Now that the All-Star Weekend is done, maybe it's time to focus on trading for that point guard eh?


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant Missing the 2010 All-Star Game: Good Move

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game will not be as shinier as one of the game's biggest stars will not be suiting up.

Kobe Bryant has indicated that he will not be wearing the West All-Star jersey this weekend to rest his banged-up body. This will be the first time in Kobe's career that he will miss the NBA All-Star weekend since 1999 (the NBA's lock-out year).

If you ask me, this is a great move to rest his sprained left ankle, and even his broken finger. Kobe is a warrior but the Lakers need him in the playoffs as teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic are improving and are waiting for the Lakers this June.

But fans are sure disappointed that Kobe won't be in Dallas. The replacement, the timeless Jason Kidd, isn't really someone who will put on highlights on ESPN. It's like asking for a Bentley and you get a family wagon-- it's not really as exciting or sexy. For Laker fans, only the presence of Pau Gasol in the All-Star game and Shannon Brown's attempt to unseat Nate Robinson as the slam dunk champ make it worth the while.



Technorati: Kobe Bryant

2010 NBA All-Star Lineups Finalized!

The NBA coaches have spoken! They selected the seven remaining members of the NBA All-Star teams and as always, the selection may not be accepted by fans whole-heartedly.

Here are the reserves for the East All-Stars:

1. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (G)*
2. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers (G)*
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (F)*
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (F)*
5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (C)*
6. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks (F)
7. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (G)
8. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (G)
   
9. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (F)
10. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G)
    
11. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors (F/C)
12. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats (F)

And for the West All-Stars:

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (G)*
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns (G)*
3. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (F)*
4. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (F/C)*
   
5. Amar'e Stoudamire, Phoenix Suns (C)*
6. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (F/C)
7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (F)
8. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (F)
   
9. Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers (G)
10. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz (G)
11. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (G)
12. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies (F)

If you remember my predictions early this year, I was able to get 10 out of the 12 East All-Stars and 11 out of the West All-Stars. I was surprised by the addition of Al Horford-- I felt Josh Smith was more All-Star worthy. Derrick Rose has been playing absolutely great as of late and that may have been enough for the coaches.

Other terrible omissions (but due to line-up constraints): David Lee of the New York Knicks, Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers, Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets, and Aaron Brooks of the Houston Rockets


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA Lets Shannon Dunk!

It's official! Shannon Brown will be in the 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest!

Browm, the Lakers' high-flying combo guard, will be facing two-time champ Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks, Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats, and either DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers.

After launching a massive social media campaign and a website (www.letshannondunk.com), Shannon Brown has gotten the attention of the league officials and will be competing for the first time since joining the league in 2006. But given how Shannon has been known in the league as a flyer, I'm surprised he only got an invite this season. The last time a Laker participated in the contest, a kid named Kobe Bryant wowed the judges to win the competition in 1997.

For my part, I launched an online petition for fans to support Shannon's cause to be in the dunk contest. As of this writing there are 1037 digital signatures in the campaign. I'd like to believe that this little online petition made a little dent in the efforts to put him in the dunk contest. :D

The 2010 NBA Slam Dunk contest will no longer be a footnote for Laker fans as we'll be seeing Shannon Brown throwing it down.


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

Fearless Forecast: 2010 NBA All-Star Game Line-ups

The NBA will be announcing the 2010 NBA All-Star lineups in January 28 with the starters being announced a week earlier. Folks like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Dwight Howard are shoo-ins for the game, and there are a few deserving folks whom I think will be chosen by the coaches (Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson). So here's my first forecast for year, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game line-ups:

East Team:

1. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (G)*
2. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers (G)*
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (F)*
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (F)*
5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (C)*
6. Vince Carter, Orlando Magic (G)
7. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (G)
8. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks (F)
9. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (F)
10. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G)
    
11. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors (F/C)
12. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats (F)

West Team

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (G)*
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns (G)*
3. Carmelo Anthoby, Denver Nuggets (F)*
4. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (F)*
5. Amar'e Stoudamire, Phoenix Suns (C)*
6. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers (F/C)
7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (F)
8. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (F/C)
9. Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers (G)
10. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz (G)
11. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (G)
12. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies (F)
    

* - starters

Of course, my main assumption is that Tracy McGrady will be traded before the All-Star Game. Otherwise, I'll put him in the starting guard spot, then moving Steve Nash to reserves, then bumping off Chris Paul.


Technorati: NBA

Kobe & Shaq Reunite in 2009 NBA All-Star Game Win

Five years after their rocky break-up, the tandem of Kobe-Shaq (or Shaq-Kobe) reunited at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game and steered the Western Conference All-Stars to a 146-119 win in the annual classic.

The history of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal is a storied one-- the two won three straight championships in the early 2000's at the peak of Shaq's prime, they engaged in one of the heated teammate feuds in professional sports, and flamed out in their Finals match-up against the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Shaq was traded soon after to the Miami Heat. Wikipedia has an accurate take on what transpired :

After the Lakers' loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was angered by comments made by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak regarding O'Neal's future with the club, as well as by the departure of Lakers coach Phil Jackson at the request of Dr. Buss. O'Neal made comments indicating that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire to appease Bryant to the exclusion of all other concerns, and O'Neal promptly demanded a trade. The Dallas Mavericks and their team owner Mark Cuban were extremely interested in O'Neal and were willing to make a trade with the Lakers, but Kupchak wanted Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs' superstar, in return. Cuban refused to let go of Nowitzki and the Lakers ended trade talks with Dallas. However, Miami showed interest and gradually a trade agreement was made.

With the Batman and Robin tandem dissolved, Kobe got what he wished for. He became the focal point of the Lakers offense, where he became one of the top 3 scorers in the league. But it came at a price: the Lakers missed the playoffs in their first season without Shaq. The Lakers picked up the pieces from there and they are now one of the best teams in the NBA. (Need proof? Check out the odds in Lakers games: sports betting and sportsbook websites give the Lakers the edge most of the time). And the person leading the way for the Lakers this season? Kobe Bryant.

The Co-MVP award in the All-Star Game could be the storybook ending to the Kobe-Shaq saga. But who knows? They may still end up together for one final run after Shaq's contract with the Suns expire a couple of years from now.


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers


In cooperation with 888sport.com

Nike Hyperdunk All Star Game 2009

Nike will be launching new pairs of Hyperdunks for the 2009 All-Star Game. The Nike Hyperdunk All Star Game 2009 combines synthetic materials on the toe box and holds the 2009 All-Star Game logo. The Western Conference Team will wear the Atom Red colorway and the Eastern Conference Team will wear the Vivid Blue version.

The Vivid Blue Colorway:

The Atom Red Colorway:

Thanks to O Sneaker for the images.


Technorati: NBA All-Star Game

2009 NBA All-Stars Named: What's with the East?

The NBA has released the complete roster for the 2009 All-Star Game in Phoenix. Here's the lineups (starters are in bold):


East

• Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
  
• Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons
  
• Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
  
• LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
  
• Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
  
• Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
  
• Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
  
• Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
  
• Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
  
• Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
  
• Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
  
• Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic
  

West

• Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
  
• Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
  
• Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
  
• Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
  
• Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
  
• Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
  
• Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
  
• Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
  
• Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
  
• Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
  
• Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix Suns
  
• David West, New Orleans Hornets
  

I've made my All-Star predictions before on the lineups and I was able to predict 5 out of the 7 for the West Team (71%) and 4 out of 7 for the East (57%). I'm pretty much OK with the coaches' selection in the West, as I realized Carmelo Anthony was injured and Shaquille O'neal  had a better over-all first half than Andrew Bynum (although Bynum is playing much better lately). My only beef is the number of games Shaq has missed this season-- perhaps its a move to bring drama into the games with Phil Jackson coaching Shaq again.

On the East, it's a totally different matter: I don't think Rashard Lewis is an All-Star. I also question the coaches' selection of Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors and Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers-- they are putting up good numbers on very bad teams, and their numbers are play are inflated because of the lack of talent surrounding them.

Oh well, you gotta love the controversy the All-Star selections stir up every year.


Tags: NBA

NBA All Star Voting Ends Today!

Today's is the final day for fan voting for the starters for the 2009 NBA All Star Game at Phoenix.

Based on the fourth return last week, here's the tally:


2009 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING - EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 1,940,162; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,375,814; Yi Jianlian (NJ) 1,216,348; Chris Bosh (Tor) 751,927; Paul Pierce (Bos) 486,656; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 366,174; Shawn Marion (Mia) 264,888; Danny Granger (Ind) 199,200; Josh Smith (Atl) 163,145; Michael Beasley (Mia) 157,286; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 144,337.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,818,717; Allen Iverson (Det) 1,278,600; Vince Carter (NJ) 856,498; Ray Allen (Bos) 552,094; Devin Harris (NJ) 474,637; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 403,577; Luke Ridnour (Mil) 379,806; Derrick Rose (Chi) 293,483; Jose Calderon (Tor) 274,509; Joe Johnson (Atl) 236,993; Jameer Nelson (Orl) 227,226.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,102,368; Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 257,527; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 255,950; Jermaine O’Neal (Tor) 224,583; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 198,811; Al Horford (Atl) 191,105; Brendan Haywood (Wash) 178,868; Ben Wallace (Clev) 159,132; Emeka Okafor (Char) 133,501; Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 122,607; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 85,855.

2009 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING - WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 1,454,918; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 905,121; Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 894,690; Ron Artest (Hou) 890,992; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 837,482; Pau Gasol (LAL) 618,943; Bruce Bowen (SA) 509,593; Shane Battier (Hou) 482,724; Luis Scola (Hou) 281,372; Josh Howard (Dal) 255,698; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 212,651.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,903,798; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,216,224; Chris Paul (NO) 1,059,161; Manu Ginobili (SA) 669,837; Tony Parker (SA) 614,939; Jamal Crawford (GS) 462,039; Steve Nash (Pho) 441,746; Jason Kidd (Dal) 381,906; Rafer Alston (Hou) 372,130; Jason Terry (Dal) 323,279; Brandon Roy (Por) 267,053.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,758,499; Shaquille O’Neal (Pho) 1,006,383; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 356,280; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 292,845; Greg Oden (Por) 195,552; Andris Biedrins (GS) 170,732; Tyson Chandler (NO) 128,086; Al Jefferson (Minn) 121,944; Nick Collison (OKC) 105,534; Marcus Camby (LAC) 74,638; Chris Kaman (LAC) 27,112

As you can see, Yi Jianlian is still third on the Eastern Conference forwards list and still trails Kevin Garnett by roughly 159,000 votes. Another interesting thing: Ron Artest, who is injured, only trails Carmelo Anthony by 15,000 for the starting forward slot. Gee... I wonder where those votes came from?



Tags: NBA

Yi Jianlian to the All-Star Team!

The NBA All-Star Game is all about the fans. That's why we saw Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets start over former Laker Shaquille O'Neal at his prime. That's also why we saw Tracy McGrady start over Steve Nash in the latter's first MVP season. It's a system that's far from perfect, but it makes the fans happy.

That's why I am inviting everyone all over the blogosphere to make history again: Let's put the New Jersey Nets' Yi Jianlian to the 2009 NBA All-Star Team! If the West Team benefited with Yao in the starting spot for the good portion of this decade, then it's only appropriate to start a new tradition on the East Team-- Yi Jianlian to the All-Star Team!

Who wants a Kevin Garnett or LeBron James in the All-Star Game as starters? Yi Jianlian is the perfect ambassador to a game that's truly emerging as a global sport. I want to see Yi don the Eastern Conference All-Star jersey this coming February in Phoenix. If you want that to happen to, vote Yi Jianlian in at NBA.com!

Remember: Yi Jianlian as an All-Star = NBA a global game!


Tags: NBA

Photo by Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger