All-Star Reserves

If you've been watching TNT or NBA TV, you've basically been seeing Kenny Smith and Eric Snow, vs. Gary Payton and Chris Webber. The debate? What makes for an All-Star. Does the second best player on a top team get the nod, over the best player on a lottery team?

After the results came in, it looks like the East Coaches and the West Coaches are having a similar debate. The East Coaches picked Danny Granger and Chris Bosh, both on struggling teams, while the West stayed away from players like Marcus Camby and Al Jefferson and doubled up on New Orleans with a surprising pick, Teaneck's own David West

So what's the verdict? Who got snubbed? Who shouldn't be in Phoenix come All-Star Weekend?

I'll start the conversation with this...

Rashard Lewis has no place on the East All-Star team. He is a below average defender, rebounder, passer and post-up player. He's a little too one-dimensional for my taste. I really liked the Devin Harris and Danny Granger picks.

2009 Reserves

EAST Paul Pierce Boston F Chris Bosh Toronto F/C Joe Johnson Atlanta G Danny Granger Indiana F Devin Harris New Jersey G Rashard Lewis Orlando F Jameer Nelson Orlando G

WEST Dirk Nowitzki Dallas F Pau Gasol L.A. Lakers C Tony Parker San Antonio G Brandon Roy Portland G Shaquille O'Neal Phoenix C Chauncey Billups Denver G David West New Orleans F

Wednesday Mini-Breakdown

KNICKS WIN 5 IN A ROW AT HOME, YEAAAAAAA. Solid, solid game tonight. The Knicks didn't play very well, especially in the first quarter, but it didn't seem to matter and they had good control over tonight's game against the Hawks. After taking a strong lead in the 3rd quarter, every time Atlanta made a run, the Knicks would extend the lead back to 7, 8 or so.

Next three home games are Lakers, Cavs and Celtics (Ouch). Hopefully they use KY before giving it to us, and the after affects don't last long.


*TrueHoop, giving us a Lesson on wearing logos. Big Michael fan gives us this, and more:

Just wanted to say I've actually got a Jordan Logo tattooed to my right shoulder. Got it in 2003 to commemorate his exit from the sport. Final exit from the sport. I know it's just a game, but there was always something valorous to me in his relentless determination....

Tuesday Breakdown

Jordan + Tribe =

*Rafer Alston has a lot to say about last night's Rockets game against the Knicks, in today's Daily Dime.. Tracy McGrady had the hot hand to start the fourth quarter, but wound up wasting away key possessions late in the game to give the victory to the Knicks. Ron Artest went a horrible 1-1o from the 3-point line, trying to create his own shots, and usually not getting the rock from good ball movement.

"They were able to capitalize off our selfishness, and we have to decide whether we're going to play one-on-one, or we're going to pass the ball to each other and play team ball."

*Want to know the best players to have for the remainder of the Fantasy BBall season? Rotoworld.com breaks it down for us, and grades each team.

*Berger makes the case for Danny Granger as an All-Star. I have to agree. According to Yahoo, in the standard 9 categories, Danny Granger is ranked 4th (!!). Only D.Wade, LeBron, and Chris Paul are ahead of him.

The case for Danny Granger as an All-Star reserve. According to Real GM (via Ballerblogger), Granger is the 22nd-ranked player in the NBA measured by the Floor Impact Counter. LeBron James is the only small forward rated higher.

Monday Wake N Break

*Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni, on concealed weapons and wanting to shoot Nate Robinson.

*Staying on the Knickerbocker tip, a video of last week's win on 7 Seconds or Mess, breaking down the Sun's poor Defense and David Lee beasting them on the pick and roll repeatedly.

*TrueHoop goes on one one with newly retired Alonzo Mourning.

*Bad news for Michael Redd owners (fantasy and reality). Redd is out for the season with a tore MCL/ACL (not sure what that means, but sounds pretty bad).

*Quote of the Weekend. Shaq, on Dwight Howard:

"He's a good player, but everything he's done I've invented, so I'm not impressed," O'Neal said. "For me to get my eyes wide open about another big man, he'll have to do something that I haven't seen before or something that I haven't invented. Everything that he's done, I've invented it."

*Ball Don't Lie gives us a video of a designed double alley-oop, that worked in a game. Cute, but not very practical and the opposing team was playing zero defense (or boxing out).

"The Rooster" and Thursday's Breakdown

*Alonzo Mourning retired from basketball today. Easy Hall of Famer, right?

“He was the very best thing that ever happened to this franchise,” said Pat Riley, sitting between Mourning and owner Micky Arison at the news conference. “He will always be respected by Micky and myself for being the taproot of a culture that we’re really proud of. He embodies that.”

Riley’s voice cracked as he finished his thought.

“We love you, Zo,” he said. “You will wear that jersey one more time— when we rip it off your back and hang it from the rafters.”

Well said...

*Everyone's about to know D. Wade has an STD. Ouch...

*Are we loving what Danilo Gallinari, aka Gallo, aka The Rooster, is bringing to the table? His been very impressive with his first few games as a Knick. Good look to my man Hayden for supplying The Rooster highlights:

Tuesday Breakdown

*The 4th contestant in the 2009 NBA Dunk Contest was decided. Winner is Rudy Fernandez, who is known mostly for this dunk over Dwight Howard. Definitely the worst choice of the three. Did you see Russell Westbrook's dunk over Mario Chalmers of the Heat? Good look to my boy Barksdale on the Joe Alexander, ridiculous videos. I can't imagine Rudy Fernandez doing anything cool at all. In fact, between now and then I'm betting he bows out. He's up against Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and Rudy Gay. Alrigghhhhtttt Rudy!!!

*From TrueHoop, NBA players on number 44.

*I'm bringing back an old Mark Cuban link, on why he voted for Obama. Great read. A wise man once said, "He's a jackass, but a very smart jackass." Proud to be an American.

"Having an elected black President will do more to energize this country than any economic or social policy ever could. In a single day of voting, our amazing country once again reinvigorated the dream that any child in this country, no matter what circumstances they are born into, can grow up to be anything they want, including President of the United States.

That dream, staying viable, being reinvigorated, will do more for this country than any economic policy or any legislation that could ever be passed....

...As any successful CEO will tell you, leadership, vision and motivation has far more impact on results than any tax cut or increase. While I prefer lower taxes, I can tell you that no entrepreneur or CEO worth a damn in this country gives up or works less because of a change in tax policy. In this country you work harder to achieve your dreams and goals."

Ankle Insurance, by Kobe Bryant

Thanks to BDTG reader Gerard for this video.

Kobe Sells Ankle Insurance