Picking the 2009 NBA All-Stars
The NBA All-Star Game is part meritocracy and part popularity contest. First, the fans vote, and the top five vote getters – two guards, two forwards and a center – from each conference are the starters. Then the coaches vote on the remaining seven reserves for each team.
The current vote count can be seen here, but I thought I’d put together my own list – five starters and seven reserves – for each team. To me, when it comes to naming All-Stars a winning record is just as important as great stats, so given two players with similar numbers, I’m probably going to give the nod to the guy on the better team. I’ll list the player’s Player Efficiency Rating, which gives a nice overview of the guy’s per-minute statistical production this season.
And off we go…
EASTERN CONFERENCE STARTERS
Dwyane Wade, Heat
PER: 29.14
D-Wade is back with a vengeance. He’s averaging 29.0 points, 7.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds, and is (almost) single-handedly keeping the Heat in the playoff hunt. With 24% accuracy, I don’t know why he’s shooting so many threes (3.0 per game), but that’s just nitpicking. He’s third in the league in steals (2.25).
Joe Johnson, Hawks
PER: 19.84
JJ is averaging 22.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds, and has the Hawks in a battle for the #4 spot in the East. His three-point shooting is down two points, but his overall FG% is up a point. Remember when everyone laughed at the Hawks for giving up future MIP Boris Diaw and two first round picks for him?
LeBron James, Cavs
PER: 32.04
LeBron is the front-runner for the MVP thus far. He’s posting 27.7 points, 6.6 assists and 6.6 rebounds a game. His numbers are down, but that’s because the Cavs can afford to rest him an additional four minutes per game. It’s great to see his FG% over 50% (50.8%) and FT% approaching 80% (78.8%). LeBron has always been a statistical stud, but it’s the Cavs’ stellar record that has him leading the MVP race.
Kevin Garnett, Celtics
PER: 20.87
KG’s scoring is down, but given the Raptors’ struggles, he’s still the most deserving PF (over Chris Bosh) in the East. His numbers are virtually identical to last season other than a mysterious drop in free throw attempts per game (-2.1). Is KG still taking the ball to the hole?
Dwight Howard, Magic
PER: 25.71
I’d like to see Howard’s free throw accuracy (57.3%) improve, but it’s hard to argue with Orlando’s success this season. Howard is averaging 20.1 points and leads the league in rebounding with 13.8 per game. He also leads the league in blocks (3.28).
EASTERN CONFERENCE RESERVES
Devin Harris, Nets
PER: 24.88
From a statistical standpoint, Harris is outplaying all other Eastern Conference guards save for Dwyane Wade, so he is deserving of a spot in the starting lineup. However, Joe Johnson’s Hawks are playing quite a bit better, so Harris will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Chris Bosh, Raptors
PER: 23.37
The Raptors are struggling this season but it’s not the fault of Bosh, whose numbers are virtually identical to last season. He has averaged at least 22.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in each of the last four years.
Paul Pierce, Celtics
PER: 18.32
Despite the Celtics recent struggles, The Truth is still a no-brainer All-Star pick. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists and while his FG% is down a smidgen, he’s over 40% from long range for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
Danny Granger, Pacers
PER: 21.93
Granger is clearly one of the league’s best young small forwards. He’s averaging 26.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while shooting a solid 46% from the field. The Pacers aren’t great, but they’re competitive, and Granger is the main reason why. Moreover, he’s averaging an eye-popping 33.3 points per game in January.
Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
PER: 16.37
The Pistons have the fifth-best record in the East right now and deserve to have a player on the All-Star team. Prince’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he averages 7.3 points per game and contributes in all areas despite having to cover the opponent’s best perimeter player every night.
Jameer Nelson, Magic
PER: 19.91
Given that Orlando has virtually the same personnel as last season, it’s a bit of a surprise at how much better Nelson is playing. His ppg jumped from 10.9 to 16.4 and his FG% jumped from 46.9% to 50.4%, which is tremendous for a guard. His three-point shooting (43.8%) is outstanding. Rashard Lewis (PER: 18.05) may get the nod, but I think Nelson is more deserving.
Vince Carter, Nets
PER: 21.89
I’m not a huge fan of Vinsanity, but he’s averaging 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting better than 40% from long range. Truthfully, this spot could go to a number of guys from better teams – Rajon Rondo, Mo Williams, Allen Iverson, Mike Bibby, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Rashard Lewis – but Carter smokes them all numbers-wise.
Bubbling under: Rajon Rondo, Mo Williams, Allen Iverson, Caron Butler, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Bibby, Jose Calderon, Rashard Lewis
WESTERN CONFERENCE STARTERS
Chris Paul, Hornets
PER: 30.53
After a rough 5-5 start, Paul has the Hornets back in the thick of the hunt for the #2 playoff spot in the West. He has the second-highest PER in the league and is averaging 20.4 points and 11.3 assists per game. He also leads the league in steals (2.82) and is on the short list of serious MVP candidates.
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
PER: 25.48
Kobe’s minutes are down 3.0 per game, which explains why his numbers have taken a bit of a dip. Still, he’s averaging 27.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists, and his FG% is up over 48% for the first time in his career. The Lakers have the best record in the West and Kobe would be favored to win his second consecutive MVP if not for the Cavs’ winning ways.
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
PER: 23.78
If Carmelo Anthony hadn’t gotten injured, he might have earned this spot, but Dirk’s Mavs are just three games back of the Nuggets in the standings and he’s having another great season. He is averaging 25.3 points and 8.4 rebounds, and is shooting better than 40% from the field.
Tim Duncan, Spurs
PER: 24.33
Two words: sustained excellence. TD is averaging 20.4 points and 10.1 rebounds while shooting almost 52% from the field. Plus, he’s one of the best (if not the best) defensive big men in the game.
Yao Ming, Rockets
PER: 22.67
Yao has had to play without Tracy McGrady for a good portion of the season, but the Rockets are right in the thick of the playoff hunt in the West. He leads the Rockets in scoring, rebounding, blocks and is shooting almost 87% from the free throw line.
WESTERN CONFERENCE RESERVES
Brandon Roy, Blazers
PER: 25.06
Roy’s scoring is up to 22.8 points per game this season (from 19.1 ppg last season) in no small part due to his increased accuracy (+2.1%) from the field. The Blazers look like a playoff team and Roy is a big reason why.
Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
PER: 18.18
‘Melo’s Nuggets are playing well even though his FG% has taken a dive to 43.7% this season. His scoring is down, but he’s rebounding well (7.3) and his three-point accuracy is up to 42%, which is a huge improvement.
Tony Parker, Spurs
PER: 23.23
Parker is setting career highs in points (21.3) and assists (6.7), he’s never been more accurate from long range (40.0%) or from the charity stripe (81.5%). Manu Ginobili has been solid, but Parker is the second-most deserving Spur this season.
Pau Gasol, Lakers
PER: 22.49
Despite the return of Andrew Bynum, Gasol’s rebounding (9.4) as well as he ever has, and he’s continuing to thrive in his role as Kobe’s sidekick. He’s averaging 17.8 points and is shooting over 55% from the field.
Amare Stoudemire, Suns
PER: 22.44
Stoudemire is averaging 21.8 points and 8.5 rebounds, and is shooting almost 55% from the field. Even though the Suns have slowed the pace down, Stoudemire’s numbers are still stellar.
Chauncey Billups, Nuggets
PER: 20.98
Billups is averaging 18.7 points and 6.8 assists for the Nuggets, but more importantly he has brought a defensive culture to Denver (and that’s not easy to do).
Shaquille O’Neal, Suns
PER: 23.75
A revitalized Shaq is producing 17.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in just 30.1 minutes. There are a number of players that could replace him on the All-Star team, but I think everyone around the league recognizes just how good Shaq is when he’s motivated.
Bubbling under: Manu Ginobili, Al Jefferson, David West, Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur
Voting continues at NBA.com through January 19th.
1/22/09 Update: The starters have been announced.
Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom.
Posted in: College Football, NBA
Tags: 2009 All-Star Game, Al Jefferson, Allen Iverson, Amare Stoudemire, Andrei Kirilenko, Brandon Roy, Carmelo Anthony, Caron Butler, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Danny Granger, David West, Deron Williams, Devin Harris, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Jameer Nelson, Joe Johnson, Jose Calderon, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LaMarcus Aldridge, LeBron James, Manu Ginobili, Mehmet Okur, Mike Bibby, Mo Williams, Pau Gasol, Paul Millsap, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Rashard Lewis, Shaquille O'Neal, Tayshaun Prince, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Vince Carter, Yao Ming, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
HAD SOME SPARE TIME AT WORK AND DECIDED TO WRITE UP MY PICKS ON THE UPCOMING ALL-STAR GAME. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
East
Lebron James Lock-In Choice
Dwight Howard Lock-In Choice
Dwayne Wade Lock-In Choice
Kevin Garnett NBA Champs, and everyone be on his meat
Joe Johnson Had to pick another guard, it was either between Johnson or Harris. Atlanta is doing way better.
Paul Pierce Leading scorer for the NBA Champs
Danny Granger Should be a starter but tough comp for forward position
Jameer Nelson Will probably get most improved player
Chris Bosh 2nd best Center in the East
Devin Harris Could be a starter
Tayshaun Prince Best player on Pistons this year
Vince Carter Did not expect for NJ to be doing this good this year. Leader of team.
Al Horford Needed another Center, who else would I pick? Dalembert?
On the cusp: Rasheed Wallace Not many Centers to contend with in the East, Ben Gordon Would make it if team was doing better, Al Harrington Carries the Knicks, Jose Calderon top 3 in asst but team is doing unexpectiedly bad, Ray Allen Should make it but everyone is on Pierce and Garnett meat, Josh Smith Injury early in the season will prevent him in getting into the game, Antawn Jamison Having a very good year but team is TOO ASS, Thanks to Gilbert Arenas and them releasing my cousin
West
Chris Paul Best pg in the league right now
Yao Ming China
Kobe Bryant Reigning MVP
Tim Duncan Tim Duncan
Dirk Nowitzki had 42 and 14 last night
Brandon Roy Will be an all-star starter in the future once team gets better
Amare Stoudemire OD’s all the time may start over Duncan
Pau Gasol Plays with Kobe
Kevin Durant has been scoring at least 25 and pulling down 8 reb past month
Al Jefferson top 5 center in the league, but team is TOO ASS
Chauncey Billups Top 3 pg in the league this year, will carry Nuggets far
Carmello Anthony Injury may prevent him in playing in the game this year
Deron Williams Will make it because he should make it, even though his numbers don’t show it. 15 pts & 10 ast.
Steve Nash Should not make team but will because people be on his meat.
On the cusp: Jason Terry The reason why Dallas wins, Tony Parker Won’t make it due to slow start in season and injury, Jamaal Crawford Good scorer, but no defense, GS is horrible, Shaq O’Neal Only way he would make it is if fans vote him into the starting lineup, good season but does not deserve it over people listed above such as Al Jefferson.
i think bosh is the best player in canada rite now of course no doubt holla t him
Devin harris all day and danny granger big, major improvements from the off season, props to their teams management and how dey dealt with these players to help dem be how great they r now also i cant for get about brandon roy and chris paul those 2 changed from last yr they r more leaders and dey kno wat they r doin cant wait to see dem in the playoffs if they are privleged to be in it
Hey just make it Lakers vs. Celtics same season starters in All Star game. Most likely not a good choice, but others may agree with me. =)
My list
East starters.
G- D. Wade
G- J. Johnson
F- L. James
F- K. Garnett
C- D. Howard
Reserves
G- D. Harris
G- R. Allen
G- J. Nelson
G- V. Carter
F- P. Pierce
F- D. Granger
F- C. Bosh
If i had to take another center in the east id
go with Okafor he has the best numbers and i take vince carter off.
West
G- C. Paul
G- K. Bryant
F- C. Anthony
F- T. Duncan
C- Y. Ming
Reserves
G- T. Parker
G- B. Roy
G- C. Billups
F- A. Stoudemire
F- D. Nowitzki
F- P. Gasol
C- S. O’Neal
So, Wes, in the East, you’re essentially taking Ray Allen over Tayshaun Prince. You’re going with three Celtics and no Pistons. Detroit has the fourth or fifth best record in the East. I think they should be represented.
In the West, I think that Nowitzki is having a better year than ‘Melo, who is injured. It looks like we have the same 12 players, but you just have Anthony in the starting lineup over Dirk.
Marion is averaging 12/9 for a mediocre team. I wouldn’t think he’d get an All-Star bid.
So who u guys think will win the All-Star Game, East or West?
I’d say the West has a slight edge in talent, but this game is always a toss up. It depends on who shows up wanting to win.
east starters should be dwight howard,kevin garnnet, lebron james,dwyane wade, allen iverson.
west starters should be, kobe bryant,tracy mcgrady,chris paul, tim duncan, and yao ming.
John — why Allen Iverson? He’s not having as good of a year as Joe Johnson. I’m not even sure he should be on the team, much less a starter.
And why T-Mac?
is yi jialian gonna play in the all star, just because 1 millions and some votes, are u serious.
THE results were in and for the eastern starters it’s
center. Dwight “SUPERMAN” Howard
powerfoward. Kevin Garnett
smallfoward.Lebron “KING” James
shootinggaurd.Dwanye Wade
pointgaurd. Allen “AI” Iverson
Now these are some good picks Joe Johnson suced with him little Chris Paul would be scoring a lot of points but with AI it’s lockup all day baby and you know it and lebron and melo a mean come on you know he’s going to have the most points. It will be go to see old teammates ai and melo face off. And Dwanye Wade locking up kobe come on they beat them already in the season and Kobe coulndt lock him up.Kevin and Timmy i mean wat it’s o competion at all i just hope he stays in the paint if you know wat i mean.Now that dwight and Amari thing might not work out but will see if he can pull it off you alredy now whos going to win the eastern all stars of coirse.
the west will win this compi..
i bet ya all
Left out: Michael Jordan should start for the East and Kevin Love for the West
If 2 years ago the best East Conference was made by the Detroit Pistons’ best players, in 2009 All Star Game , the East is made by BOS Celtics’ best players
vince carter -the leader…with a very good statistics…he should be on the all star
West will win and kobe will be the “MVP”…