The way I see it, there area bout 14 or 15 deserving players for 12 spots. Someone ridiculously deserving (one or both of the gentlemen shown above, most likely) will be left off the roster. The guard depth in the West is incredible. And I think for the first time in many years, you won't see guys like Chauncey Billups or JKidd, but a new wave of young superstar point guards.
Here are the picks for your 2011 Western Conference Reserves:
G - Deron Williams
G - Russell Westbrook
G - Manu Ginobili
G - Steve Nash
F - Dirk Nowitzki
F - Blake Griffin or KLove
F/C - Tim Duncan
Deron Williams. Made his first All Star appearance last year mostly because of his scoring/assist ability and the pick n roll game he ran with Carlos Boozer. Now that Boozer is gone, he is depeded on to lead the team that much more. Though they have lost 6 straight, 5 of those 6 on the road, Deron has his team in 7th place in the West.
Russell Westbrook. At some points in the season, it was hard to tell who was the best player on the Oklahoma City Thunder club. Westbrook was putting up LeBron-in-Cleveland numbers and approaching triple-doubles night after night. The former UCLA Bruin was unrecruited out of high school, led his team to the National Championship game, and is now leading a young Thunder team through a tough West.
Manu Ginobili. I fucking hate Manu Ginobili. I watched him and the Spurs play the Jazz last night and he flops more than a soccer player. Seriously some of the blocking fouls they called on Jazz guards were just him extending an elbow and falling backwards. Blantantly offensive fouls. That being said, his team has the leagues best record and he is leading the team in scoring at 18.7 PPG.
Steve Nash. I know I said you would see new, young PGs in this game, but the alternative here is Monta Ellis. Monta is absurd. If you have never seen this Alabama boy play, you gotta. Probably has the best mid range game after Kobe and scores in unique ways. Plus the Warriors are a blast to watch and Monta is always on the break or getting steals. He's very Kemba-like
Dirk Nowitzki: Sure he missed 10 games but this Nazi is still a leading vote getter and perennial All Star. Had a slow start to the season, killed it for a while, got hurt, and is slow to get back. But is still having an All Star type season.
Kevin Love/Blake Griffin: Only one of these guys is going to make it. Coaches don't take players from teams with losing records. Especially not two. But these guys are having historic seasons. I think it will be Kevin Love OVER rookie Blake Griffin.
CASE FOR KLOVE:
It would be a travesty if he didnt make it. He is posting the best rebound numbers in 30 years and has a chance to average 20ppg and 15rpg for the first time since Moses Malone. The 30-30 game he posted back in November put him and his team on the map. I got a chance to see them play IN Minnesota this year and they've got to be the best 10-35 team I have ever seen. And he's an LA guy (went to UCLA). Plus he dates this girl. A former UCLA cheerleader/spirit squader. And has to put up with Minnesota weather. Get the boy back to LA, coaches.
Timmy Duncan: The Kevin Garnett pick of the West. Best player on the best team and despite diminshed minutes this season, he is still in the Top 10 in the NBA in rebounds and blocks. Impressive. He's also shooting 10% better from the FT line this year.
There you go! 2011 All Star Roster Complete! Look out for the starters announcement tonight on TNT during the Heat/Knicks Game.
No comments:
Post a Comment