East meets west
February 3, 2006 | 12:00am
The halfway point of the NBA regular season is always the mark of something special: the NBA All-Star game. Though a lot of players have the talent to make their respective teams, only a few deserve the honor. Recently, the coaches for both teams have been named. Detroit Pistons coach Flip Saunders is taking the reigns of the Eastern All-Stars and Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson will man the West. It remains to be seen however, who will be on the team, although, the voting returns do show the probable starters. With that in mind, I’m going to list those players who I believe should be All-Stars, and not necessarily those who are probably going to be ones.
Detroit Pistons Guard, Chauncey Billups — Detroit is currently on a tear and is on pace to win 70 games, a feat last achieved by MJ’s Bulls. Billups is being considered an MVP candidate and rightfully so. He is brilliantly the running the show for the league’s top team. Probable starter: Allen Iverson, Sixers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Forward, Lebron James — James has put the Cavs on his back since Larry Hughes went down with an injury. Lebron is playing great although his team has been somewhat inconsistent. Nevertheless, there isn’t a better talent in the East that can challenge King James for this spot. Probable starter: Lebron James, Cavaliers.
Boston Celtics Forward, Paul Pierce — With Jermaine O’Neal on the shelf, this is probably the hardest spot to fill. Although it will be unlikely that the East starting forwards will be two wingmen, Pierce edges out Chris Bosh of the Raptors and Rasheed Wallace of the Pistons. Pierce is having a career year and should not go unrewarded. Probable starter: Too close to call.
Detroit Pistons Center, Ben Wallace — It’s only right that the Pistons get two starting spots on the All-Star team the way they’ve been dominating. As always, Big Ben is the anchor of the feared Detroit defense and is making another run at Defensive Player of the Year. Probable Starter: Shaquille O’Neal, Heat.
Phoenix Suns Guard, Steve Nash — The reigning MVP has his team on top of its division despite missing Amare Stoudemire. When you lose 60 percent of the lineup that got you on top, it takes a lot of heart to get back up there. Nash, in another MVP-like season, is all that. Probable Starter: Steve Nash, Suns.
Dallas Mavericks Forward Dirk Nowiztki — Dirk has his team right up there with San Antonio. After losing Michael Finley, nobody expected that Mavs to climb this high. On a team where nobody averages more than three assists per game, the offense has to go a lot through Nowiztki and so far, it has been paying dividends for the Mavericks. Probable starter: Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves.
San Antonio Spurs Forward, Tim Duncan — Duncan has yet again led the Spurs atop the West despite the often absence of Manu Ginobili. Duncan doesn’t look like he’s doing anything special, but he’s on his way to another All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive team this season. Probable starter: Tim Duncan, Spurs.
Denver Nuggets Center, Marcus Camby - Although he missed significant time with an injured pinkie, Camby has been the best pivot man in the West, hands down. With averages upwards of 15 points, 12 boards and three blocks, Camby is most deserving. It also helps that Yao Ming is out with an injury. Probable starter: Yao Ming, Rockets.
Western Conference reserves:
Houston Rockets Forward Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets Center Yao Ming, Minnesota Timberwolves Forward Kevin Garnett, Seattle Supersonics Guard Ray Allen, Los Angeles Clippers Forward Elton Brand, Memphis Grizzlies Forward Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs Guard Tony Parker.
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