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The Consensus: All-Star Reserves

By: HOOPSWORLD Staff   Last Updated: 1/28/09 2:06 PM ET | 7304 times read
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With the NBA's head coaches set to name the All-Reserves tomorrow, we thought it would be interesting to ask some of our top NBA reporters who they would select for the seven open roster spots for each conference. Here is how our guys voted:

EAST
Travis Heath
Paul Pierce – Celtics
Chris Bosh – Raptors
Joe Johnson – Hawks
Danny Granger – Pacers
Rashard Lewis – Magic
Mo Williams – Cavaliers
Ray Allen – Celtics
Eric Pincus
Joe Johnson - Hawks
Jameer Nelson - Magic
Danny Granger - Pacers
Chris Bosh - Raptors
Paul Pierce - Celtics
Rashard Lewis* - Magic
Devin Harris - Nets
Joel Brigham
Joe Johnson – Hawks
Devin Harris – Nets
Danny Granger – Pacers
Paul Pierce – Celtics
Chris Bosh – Raptors
Rashard Lewis – Magic
Mo Williams – Cavaliers

The name most folks will find curious on my list is Ray Allen. However, he has been great for the C's this season shooting over 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc. It was tough to leave Rajon Rondo off, but I think Allen has quietly been just as important - and perhaps even more important - than Rondo. It was also tough to leave off Devin Harris, a player who has had a great season. That said, I just think Mo Williams is having a better year than both Harris and Rondo so far. Some may question me including Danny Granger given his team's struggles, but this guy has been a beast on both ends of the floor. Everyone has seen his offensive numbers, but he gets the nod from me because of how hard he's played defensively this season. He has truly become a very complete player. I generally reward winning, but every year there seems to be one exception to the rule. Granger is my exception this season. - Travis Heath

The East is trickier with very few big men to choose from and too many point guards. Left out are two well qualified players on two top notch teams - Rajon Rondo and Mo Williams but Devin Harris has been the heart and soul of the rejuvenated New Jersey Nets. Jameer Nelson has had a slightly bigger role in making the Magic what they are as compared to Rondo and Williams. Danny Granger's team is still trying to get back into contention but his high-level consistency deserves reward. – Eric Pincus

I've seen Jameer Nelson penciled in as a starter all over the internet in the course of the last week, but he somehow got left off of my list. Even though the Nets haven't been as good as Orlando, Devin Harris has stepped into an All-Star role this year, and with Rashard Lewis the Magic still get two All-Stars. I also think Mo Williams deserves a nod for everything he's done for the Cavaliers this year. – Joel Brigham


WEST
Travis Heath
Chauncey Billups – Nuggets
Pau Gasol – Lakers
Brandon Roy – Trail Blazers
Carmelo Anthony – Nuggets
David West – Hornets
Dirk Nowitzki – Mavericks
Tony Parker – Spurs
Eric Pincus
Chauncey Billups - Nuggets
Brandon Roy - Trail Blazers
Pau Gasol - Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki - Mavericks
Shaquille O'Neal - Suns
Carmelo Anthony - Nuggets
Tony Parker - Spurs
Joel Brigham
Chauncey Billups – Nuggets
Brandon Roy – Trail Blazers
Pau Gasol – Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki – Mavericks
Al Jefferson – Timberwolves
Tony Parker – Spurs
Carmelo Anthony – Nuggets

Shaquille O'Neal drew some consideration, but it's hard to put a guy who doesn't play every night on the team. It was also hard to leave Al Jefferson off, especially given the Wolves' improved play of late. That said, the Wolves were so awful for the first six weeks that I just couldn't bring myself to put Big Al on the roster even though his numbers are outstanding. Deron Williams is another worthy name, but he really hasn't been himself this season after suffering a severe high ankle sprain early in the season. - Travis Heath

The West is relatively straight forward. Shaquille O'Neal has been playing his best basketball in years. Pau Gasol has helped the Lakers become a powerhouse. Dirk Nowitzki is still one of the most difficult covers among big men. David West is on the wrong side of the bubble but the Hornets don't appear to be quite as good as they were last year . . . not yet anyway. Deron Williams misses out to Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy and Tony Parker. - Eric Pincus

In the West the only spot I had to think long and hard about was the backup center spot, but ultimately I chose Jefferson over All-Star legend Shaquille O'Neal because he's become one of the best post players in the league. Sure, Shaq has had a nice stretch, but Al-Jeff has been an overall player all season, especially as the Wolves surge under Kevin McHale. All the choices I made were in the interest of fairness, rewarding a combination of teams with good records and standout players too good to leave out. - Joel Brigham

The coaches have already locked in their votes, and the NBA will announce the All-Star reserves tomorrow, but if our group is any indication of how the coaches see things who is going to get snubbed? Put your comments in below.

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Comments (25 posted) Post your comment
Please be respectful of the writers in your comments or they will be removed
posted By wiz4life, 28 January 2009 1:54:41 PM
my picks would be...east:same as eric pincus...west:same as joel brigham...haha sorry heath i dont think ray-ray more deserving of a spot than d-harris and i really think that al jefferson deserves an allstar spot even with his team struggling.
posted By Danny - Torrance, 28 January 2009 1:57:06 PM
Joel has both reserve units on the money. The other two weren't bad, but too much Celtic love, David West [seriously?] and Shaq [he's played well, but he takes too many nights off and is on a super talented team that sucks].
posted By cjs17, 28 January 2009 2:05:07 PM
Joel hit the nail on the head. Perfect.
posted By CSG, 28 January 2009 2:10:59 PM
It would really be terrible if Dwight was the only magic man in the all star game. They have been playing good team ball and its not like dwight is the only reason. I would definantly rather Jameer be in the all star game cause he and dwight would connect a lot during the game. I have a feeling that rashard wouldn't do anything.
posted By Lauri, 28 January 2009 2:14:24 PM
If Bosh is allstar and Big al isn't i'll cry lil bit in the corner
posted By D, 28 January 2009 2:24:04 PM
Bosh is an all-star mainly because of the lack of quality big men in the east but also because he's a great player. I think its hard to put a couple of players off a team as well. Sure take Ray Allen and Mo W. and put them on Minnesota, their not all-stars. I'm tired of hear Doc Rivers talk about winning records!! Did he think P. Pierce was not an all-star before he started winning? I think NOT!
posted By TOOLATECREW, 28 January 2009 2:26:12 PM
Just say no to Shaq. Getting the 2nd game of back to backs off can't be an All Star. Not to mention that Shaq's increased offsive production this comes from focusing the offense around him so he can get his touches when he DOES play. Shaq's offense has come at the expense of Amre, Nash and Jrich's production. All Stars should make their team better not require the other 4 guys to play "worse" to accomadate the needs to the "all Star"
posted By Dave, 28 January 2009 2:35:00 PM
I like Joel's calls on the East and the West.
posted By Terrence, 28 January 2009 2:36:19 PM
Look, I don't like the Magic very much, but Nelson and Lewis deserve spots on that East roster FOR SURE. I trashed them all off season, and for the first few weeks of the season, without these guys the team just doesn't have the same dynamic. Just give it to them, they both deserve it.
posted By Danny, 28 January 2009 2:45:32 PM
Everyone: Joel's right. Nuff ced.
posted By Mr.81, 28 January 2009 3:14:21 PM
East = G/D.Harris,J.Johnson - F/Pierce,Granger - C/C.Bosh - Other 2 spots - J.Nelson,Mo.Williams... I guess the only real difference i have is going with J.Nelson instead of R.Lewis on the Orlando team.. i just think this year, J.Nelson has meant more to the team. West = G/C.Billups,B.Roy - F/P.Gasol,Dirk - C/Shaq - Other 2 spots - T.Parker,Al.Jefferson... I do believe Melo & D.Williams are all-stars, but both have missed 13 games a piece compared to Shaq's 7.. and we are picking all-star based on this season so far, so Shaq gets my pick
posted By LS13, 28 January 2009 4:36:22 PM
HARRIS IS THE BEST AND DUDE DON'Y PICK SOMANY PG'S
posted By Jon, 28 January 2009 4:51:43 PM
Marcus Camby deserves an all-star spot considering he's never been selected. All-Stars shouldn't be dependent of their teams play or record. Thats what MVP is for.
posted By Mac (New Jersey), 28 January 2009 5:42:15 PM
Not sure how you can leave Durant off the list ? Just because OKC is a bad team, does not take away from his game?
posted By Mo Williams, 28 January 2009 5:55:29 PM
If Mo Williams is not an all-star, something is seriosuly wrong -- other than LeBron James, he has been the key to that team's success. Plus, he didn't have the best of reputations with the Bucks -- his play should be convincing people that Michael Redd is/was the problem with that team. Given Cleveland's record, James and Mo should be on the team.
posted By mika, 28 January 2009 6:32:51 PM
I would put David Lee instead of Rashad lewis because Lewis and granger bring the same thing to the table and is too skinny to bang with west and al
posted By Robbie, 28 January 2009 7:32:24 PM
LOL @ "bang" and All-Star being the in the same sentence...that's a good one...Lewis doesnt make it, it's a darn shame...
posted By Chuck, 28 January 2009 9:29:21 PM
The Cavs, Magic, and Celtics each deserve at least 2 representatives this year. Cavs= LBJ, Mo. Is Z was healthy he may have had a chance. Magic= Dwight, Lewis (He really will probably only get the nod over Nelson because of the overwhelming number of pg choices in the East C's= KG, Pierce maybe Ray. I don't think we need to see 4 C's. They haven't been THAT good.
posted By G, 29 January 2009 9:53:27 AM
C's haven't been that good? u serious???
posted By CSG, 29 January 2009 11:21:38 AM
Yea the Cs have been great but I think Chuck is saying is that they have been at the same level as the cavs and magic so they shouldn't have more all stars...I think.
posted By Sump, 29 January 2009 11:26:37 AM
Why would Shaq be an All-Star? He can barely play all the games. This is ridiculous just as ridiculous as Yi Jian Lian making the All-Star game.
posted By Swami, 29 January 2009 11:32:41 AM
My Pic's for the East Srubs Jamario Moon - Raptors Michale Peutrus - Magic Glen Davis - Boston Adam Morrion - Bobcats Walter Herman - Pistons Sam Dalembert - Sixers Mike James - Wizard Coach - Jay Triano - Raptors
posted By Kevin P., 29 January 2009 11:46:26 AM
LaMarcus Aldridge should be on the squad, but I don't think the money we spent on the cameras is going to do the trick. The west is too stacked at PF's that look good because of the players around them (West, Gasol, Stoudemire).
posted By aARON, 29 January 2009 2:07:20 PM
DERRICK ROSE BABY
posted By nyc, 29 January 2009 4:28:22 PM
i think hedo is deserving it he makes asist,grabbs rebaunds and scores.... al jefferson should be in the all-star game too he has a amazing future...



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