Kleeman's Last Word

Halfway through the season: All-star selections, awards and playoff musings

All 30 NBA teams have played at least 41 games, and as we hit the halfway point in the season, there are some surprises, even some shockers.

To commemorate this mile-marker, I've thrown together some opinions on a number of matters--who should win the Maurice P. trophy? Who deserves a spot on the All-Star teams this year? And the biggest stories of the season? I've got those, too.

In little more than an hour, the TNT trifecta of Ernie Johnson, Kenny "The Jet" Smith and Charles Barkley will announce the starters on each All-Star squad. These selections will be based on final tallies of fan votes. The fans' choices won't shock anybody. Why does Turner broadcasting throw a suitcase of money in David Stern's face for the exclusive right to announce what most fans of the game already know? Expect a pre-game show duller than an Al Gore seminar on fly fishing. The results will offer no climax, no chance for gasps or pleasant surprises.

Like a sucker, I DVRd the damn thing anyway.

So, here's what you already know. Any player below not in the starting lineup should demand a recount. This baby's surer than George Michael getting his nasty on behind a bush.

Western Conference starters.
G - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
G - Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
F - Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
F - Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
C - Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Eastern Conference starters.
G - Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
G - Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
F - Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F - Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
C - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Above is what will happen. Here's what should happen.

Western Conference starters
G - Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Putting up the best numbers of his career, Nash tops every list of the league's best point guards. When he runs the Phoenix Suns, he RUNS them. Have a young kid who's interested in being a point guard? TiVo this guy, take notes and pray that one day he or she gets one assist as incredible as the league-leading 12 Nash throws each game. He makes the hardest part of offense look effortless. A non-start for Nash would be a travesty.

G - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
He's the best player in the league - we know that. What we didn't anticipate was that he'd quit crabbing and lead a team he once called amateurish and unworthy of his talent to a 27-13 mark. Andrew Bynum did his part in the offseason to become the forceful inside scorer the Lakers need to be a title contender (he's injured, of course). But, it takes two to Tango. Kobe is still scoring at his usual impressive clip, while learning to trust his teammates and get them the ball. Bryant's realized these Lakers are not as terrible as he once thought and it's made him a better player.

F - Dirk Nowitzki or Josh Howard
After a tepid and disconcerting 12-8 start, the Dallas Mavericks are back near the top of the conference, clawing with San Antonio and New Orleans for best record in the grueling Southwest Division. With Howard and Nowitzki both averaging about 20 points per game, and both capable of grabbing double-digit rebounds, which player is more valuable to this team can be debated. I'll turn that discussion over to you.

F - Tim Duncan
Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, when healthy, are putting up monster numbers. In most cases, a championship team's third leading scorer would not be the first choice for the All-Star team. Not rewarding the Frenchman and Argentine for their work seems criminal. But this is different. That "third" option is Duncan, the greatest to ever play the game at his position. A 28 point, 17 rebound domination of the Lakers' frontline Wednesday night should quell the critics.

C - Yao Ming
Mark Cuban may have a point when he blasts the NBA system for allowing sports fans in China to dominate the online voting, making Yao an automatic selection. Cuban surely cannot quibble with the center's MVP-esque numbers. At many points this season, Yao has been the sole fire trying to light a disappointing team's ass. He's not perfect, but he's still the best center in the NBA.

reserves
G - Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
Roy might be the only sophomore with a chance to play in the Sunday classic, but his numbers and his team's startling 25-17 record make it obvious why he deserves to be there. Without Greg Oden, the mild-mannered, never flamboyant Roy has led a squad of youngsters from an anticipated lottery season to a possible playoff berth. And when Bill Walton says these guys could get to the Western Conference Finals, he doesn't sound like an idiot. The Blazers MUST have a representative in the game and Roy's the guy.

G - Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets, not to my surprise, are one win away from re-owning the Western Conference's best record. They've taken off and this incredible young guard's dime dishing, marksmanship from all areas of the floor and leadership have been the propeller. Bottom line: If Paul's not selected, I will not be watching.

F - Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies
Pau Gasol may be the centerpiece of this struggling squad, and Rudy Gay might be a superstar in the making, but Miller's silent confidence and consistent production on both ends of the floor has been one of the few things worth watching in Memphis.

F - David West, New Orleans Hornets

C - Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
It's hard to believe this offensive stick of dynamite underwent microfracture surgery just before last season. His interior defense stinks on most nights, save the few blocks he accrues, but his scoring prowess should earn him an All-Star nod from the coaches.

C - Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers
Can you say 'breakout season'? After consecutive seasons of looking and playing like a Caveman in a Geico commercial, this former Central Michigan product is averaging 17 points and almost 14 rebounds per game. His Clippers aren't winning, as franchise cornerstone Elton Brand, rising star guard Shaun Livingston and Paul Davis are injured. Despite being the best player on a losing team, New Orleans wouldn't be the same without this guy there.

Eastern Conference starters
G - Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
G - Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
F - Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F - Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
C - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

reserves
G - Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat or Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
G - Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats
F - Caron Butler, Washington Wizards or Andres Nocioni, Chicago Bulls
F - Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic or Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
C -Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats or Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers
C -Andrew Bogut

posted by Robert Kleeman @ 2:41 PM