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Post by Conroy on May 27, 2014 11:19:31 GMT -6
With the All-Star game in Minnesota coming up, I thought I'd do my best to guess who will be participating. Will Scottie Pippen even make the trip let alone hold up a trophy?
Will Kemp bring his DPOY skills to the usually all offense game?
Will Shaq dunk over anything and everything in his way?
I'll go through first with the starters and then the reserves and two wildcards. The starting five for the East: C: David Robinson (Knicks) - If Robinson had been healthy his whole career I think he would have 2 more MVPs. He's been healthy all season and has the Knicks playing great basketball. He's the starter no doubt here PF: Karl Malone (Hawks) - Malone has not been with the Hawks long, but he is putting up numbers. Barkley may have been doing enough to challenge for this spot, but is unfortunately (depending on who you ask) injured. The 4 time All Star, 1st team all-league, and scoring champ is still doing enough to earn a starter spot SF: Steve Smith (Pistons) - This was the first tough decision, I almost just put Augmon in by default. I just assumed he was having a better season since the Pacers are a surprise and well I hate the Pistons. But after taking a deeper look at the two Smith is just scoring much more efficiently having a .666 TS% (demon!!) compared to .548 TS% and Smith is also sporting a higher PER. SG: Reggie Miller (Pistons) - Pretty simple Reggie is scoring the 4th most points per game and no other Eastern Conference SG is in the top 10. PG: Gary Payton (Heat) - He is leading the league in steals, second in assists, and is one of the best all around PGs in the league. Pretty easy to guess he'll be the starter for the East. RESERVES C: Alonzo Mourning (Celticss) - I tried to put my bias away, there are a lot of worthy candidates for backup C and maybe the East will have 4 C's again like last year. But Zo is currently leading the league in blocks and FG%. Hakeem could easily be here, but is only averaging .7 more points and 1.6 more rebounds in nearly 7 more minutes per game. PF: Larry Johnson (Pistons) - Barkley being hurt really hampers the PF position in the East. My true guess is we see another year with more C's than PFs. But for the sake of this article I'm putting Johnson in. And by my quick research through rosters. Derrick Coleman may have really been his only competition and he is coming off the bench averaging less than 30 mpg. SF: Stacey Augmon (Pacers) - Could make the argument he's the starter, but he's having a great year. One of the best two way players in the league. SG: Eddie Jones (Magic) - There are about 4 guys that could go here, but I'm impressed by the rookie for averaging the 13th most ppg. PG: Tim Hardaway (Celticss) - Another potentially bias pick here, but Hardaway is a 3 time all-star and is 4th in apg in the East but outscores #2 (Pooh Richardson) and #3 (Mugsy Bogues) by 4.2 and 2.5 ppg respectively. WILDCARD C: Hakeem Olajuwon (Heat) - I think it's a tie between him and Mourning for the reserve spot so putting him in as a wildcard was an easy choice. SF: Magic Johnson (Raptors) - Magic can do it all and is keeping the Raptors season alive while the rest of the team is hanging out with the medical staff. Now the starting five for the West: C: Shaquille O'Neal (Rockets) - I'll be honest I did no research, if someone else deserves it over him I apologize. He's the most dominant Center in the game. PF: Shawn Kemp (Warriors) - See above, but substitute Center with Power Forward. SF: Cedric Ceballos (Lakers) - Is averaging a few too many TOs for my liking, but is averaging 7 rebounds at the 3. SG: Michael Jordan (Jazz) - Although Jordan is hurt at the time this will go to press, he should be back in time for the All-Star game and while the Jazz have been a little disappointing it's not because of Jordan. PG: Anfernee Hardaway (Mavs) - KJ's injury opens up the starting spot in the West this year, Penny steps in and fits quite nicely. RESERVES C: Brad Daughetry (Grizzlies) - The 4 time all-star is putting together another nice season. He's not rebounding quite as good, but is shooting a higher % from the field. Didn't quite challenge Shaq for the starting spot, but honestly who could? PF: Chris Webber (Timberwolves) - The game is in Minnesota, Webber is reigning Rookie of the Year, and he is my favorite non-Celtic player. It's a minor miracle I didn't put him in as the starter. SF: Dennis Scott (Warriors) - Scoring trumps in the all star weekend and I think Scott makes it because he's a scorer. He's leading the league in 3P% and should take home the 3PT shooting contest with ease as well. SG: Latrell Spreewell (Clippers) - He was a real threat to Jordan for the starting spot, but Jordan is Jordan. Spree is having a great season and I think may overtake his airness within a season or two. PG: Mark Price (Spurs) - There are plenty of options I'd have to go with Price, he has a slight scoring edge, and is right there in assists per game. WILDCARD PF: Danny Manning (Nuggets) - I had him penciled in as the starter at SF, until I realized he had changed positions. He is currently the 3rd leading scorer and a lone bright spot in the mile high city right now. SG: Glen Rice (Warriors) - Glen Rice is having a nice season and is scoring efficiently sporting a .607 TS%. He's been labeled a chucker in the past but seems to have find his role nicely in Oakland.
I'll guess that Grant Hill takes home the dunk contest, Dennis Scott wins the 3 point contest. I may have rushed the article so use the comments to blast my picks. GOOOOOO BOSTON!!!
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PaulyP
Junior Member
Posts: 605
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Post by PaulyP on May 27, 2014 11:27:35 GMT -6
Augmon > Smith because the fans voting will take into account Augmon as the vastly superior defender
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Post by coltsguy510 on May 27, 2014 11:31:56 GMT -6
Jason Kidd should be a reserve IMO. Other than that, I'm happy
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Post by Nick Malone 77 on May 27, 2014 11:48:51 GMT -6
Maybe after this sim, Mullin and Gugs will wiggle their way onto the squad. Maybe even Mookie.
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Post by thesyndicate on May 27, 2014 11:54:31 GMT -6
Danny Manning, American Hero.
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Post by Conroy on May 27, 2014 12:12:31 GMT -6
Jason Kidd should be a reserve IMO. Other than that, I'm happy We'll just have to agree to disagree on that one.
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Post by TrayWithAnA on May 27, 2014 12:17:17 GMT -6
Augmon > Smith because the fans voting will take into account Augmon as the vastly superior defender Vastly? I dunno bro.
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Post by TrayWithAnA on May 27, 2014 12:18:17 GMT -6
I'll have a conniption if LJ makes it too. I hope he doesn't for the sake of his contract negotiations. But the points would be nice.
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Post by TrayWithAnA on May 27, 2014 12:23:28 GMT -6
IMO Smith is the bigger shoe in for the starting lineup since up until this point he is at least a part of the MVP discussion. As in, if you had to list 10 guys he may not be in your top 5, but he'd be higher than any other eastern conference SF.
Miller is a better scorer but I just assumed that Smith would push Miller out of the starting lineup. Good argument by Conroy, but I'd be shocked if both guys were starters.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 12:24:46 GMT -6
Augmon > Smith because the fans voting will take into account Augmon as the vastly superior defender Vastly? I dunno bro. Augmon is the vastly better defender. That's not even an argument. A better player ? If say neck and neck
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Soundwave
Full Member
Toronto Raptors
Winter is coming
Posts: 2,465
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Post by Soundwave on May 27, 2014 12:26:26 GMT -6
A young PF would rule the East.
I calling it now, $400 cash for Garnett.
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Post by DarthVegito on May 27, 2014 12:35:09 GMT -6
Great write-up Conroy. Also just wanted to point out that Penny didn't "fill" the spot. He earned it, and would've gotten the nod over that scrub in Los Angeles either way | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PFPG | TOPG | TS% | PER | Penny Hardaway | 22.1 | 4.1 | 7.1 | 1.7 | .3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | .623 | 27.7 | Kevin Johnson | 20.1 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 1.6 | .2 | 3.6 | 2.8 | .541 | 24.5 |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 12:43:48 GMT -6
Great write-up Conroy. Also just wanted to point out that Penny didn't "fill" the spot. He earned it, and would've gotten the nod over that scrub in Los Angeles either way | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PFPG | TOPG | TS% | PER | Penny Hardaway | 22.1 | 4.1 | 7.1 | 1.7 | .3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | .623 | 27.7 | Kevin Johnson | 20.1 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 1.6 | .2 | 3.6 | 2.8 | .541 | 24.5 |
Seems fair and unbiased like all of your opinions (roll eyes)
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Post by DarthVegito on May 27, 2014 12:47:33 GMT -6
Great write-up Conroy. Also just wanted to point out that Penny didn't "fill" the spot. He earned it, and would've gotten the nod over that scrub in Los Angeles either way | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PFPG | TOPG | TS% | PER | Penny Hardaway | 22.1 | 4.1 | 7.1 | 1.7 | .3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | .623 | 27.7 | Kevin Johnson | 20.1 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 1.6 | .2 | 3.6 | 2.8 | .541 | 24.5 |
Seems fair and unbiased like all of your opinions (roll eyes) LMAO
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Post by WigNosy on May 27, 2014 12:50:34 GMT -6
Great write-up Conroy. Also just wanted to point out that Penny didn't "fill" the spot. He earned it, and would've gotten the nod over that scrub in Los Angeles either way
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PFPG | TOPG | TS% | PER | Penny Hardaway | 22.1 | 4.1 | 7.1 | 1.7 | .3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | .623 | 27.7 | Kevin Johnson | 20.1 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 1.6 | .2 | 3.6 | 2.8 | .541 | 24.5 |
Nah, KJ is actually a Point Guard. Penny's just a "guard" who's going to have to fill the PG spot for a while.
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Post by DarthVegito on May 27, 2014 12:52:55 GMT -6
Great write-up Conroy. Also just wanted to point out that Penny didn't "fill" the spot. He earned it, and would've gotten the nod over that scrub in Los Angeles either way
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PFPG | TOPG | TS% | PER | Penny Hardaway | 22.1 | 4.1 | 7.1 | 1.7 | .3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | .623 | 27.7 | Kevin Johnson | 20.1 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 1.6 | .2 | 3.6 | 2.8 | .541 | 24.5 |
Nah, KJ is actually a Point Guard. Penny's just a "guard" who's going to have to fill the PG spot for a while. hahahaah shutup Wig!
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Post by NOLa. on May 27, 2014 12:53:34 GMT -6
Apples to oranges. I agree, Wig.
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Post by Conroy on May 27, 2014 12:58:02 GMT -6
Danny Manning, American Hero. I wholeheartedly agree. Manning > Ceballos if there was anyone out there wondering.
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Post by TrayWithAnA on May 27, 2014 13:44:01 GMT -6
Does anyone else think that Mark Jackson is more likely to represent the Pistons on the bench than LJ?
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Post by TrayWithAnA on May 27, 2014 13:46:20 GMT -6
Does anyone else think that Mark Jackson is more likely to represent the Pistons on the bench than LJ? I see there is a logjam of guards already accounted for. I think it just speaks to why I don't think LJ makes it since he isn't even the third best player on the team. I've posted too much in here. I'll wait for more people to slurp their guys.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 13:48:33 GMT -6
Does anyone else think that Mark Jackson is more likely to represent the Pistons on the bench than LJ? I see there is a logjam of guards already accounted for. I think it just speaks to why I don't think LJ makes it since he isn't even the third best player on the team. I've posted too much in here. I'll wait for more people to slurp their guys.
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Post by Conroy on May 27, 2014 14:00:23 GMT -6
Does anyone else think that Mark Jackson is more likely to represent the Pistons on the bench than LJ? I was definitely leaning more towards Mark Jackson to replace Hardaway but a full 7 more ppg I thought was more valuable than the 1.3 apg. LJ might not make it, but for the sake of the article (a starter and backup at each position) I couldn't find another option.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 14:08:58 GMT -6
This article seems rushed.
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Post by Conroy on May 27, 2014 14:11:25 GMT -6
This article seems rushed. this post seems bitter.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 14:14:21 GMT -6
I'll guess that Grant Hill takes home the dunk contest, Dennis Scott wins the 3 point contest. I may have rushed the article so use the comments to blast my picks. GOOOOOO BOSTON!!!
You're probably right.
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