The beginning of February marks the near-midway point of the NBA season. Right around this time general managers weigh their teams’ success evaluate performance and decide whether it’s time to build a winner or sell the farm for another season.
February’s arrival also signals the imminent return of one of the most anticipated events for the fans: the 2010 All-Star Game weekend. This year’s events will take place in Dallas Texas on Feb. 12 through 14. Every year the rosters for the All-Star Game are announced there seems to be a handful of players that allegedly have gotten “snubbed” from the game due to lack of roster space their team’s record or for no good reason at all.
So I want to take the opportunity to congratulate these under-appreciated athletes and make my case for why they should be in Dallas instead of on their couches come All-Star weekend.
Two names stick out to me more than Shaquille O’Neal at an Anime Convention: Chris Kaman and Monte Ellis.
Kaman starting center for the Los Angeles Clippers is having his best year as a pro putting up about 20 points nine rebounds two assists and two blocks per game. With those numbers one could make the argument Kaman is the best two-way center in the Western Conference meaning he’s the most effective player at his position considering both his offensive and defensive presence.
Unfortunately Kaman and the Clippers play where the big boys tango. If they were in the east there is no doubt in my mind that the Clippers would be in the playoffs and Kaman would be firmly secured on the All-Star team in Dallas.
Ellis starting shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors is averaging about 26 points four rebounds and five 1/2 assists per contest also shooting 45 percent from the field— one of the best percentages for a guard in the entire league. With such balanced numbers for the year it’s hard to imagine how Ellis was neglected by the league on getting a reserve spot on the All-Star team. There are few guards in the league right now I’d rather have on my squad than the speedy Ellis who’s also stepped up his defense considerably this year. However it appears that guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams might miss the game due to injuries so Ellis could very well make the team after all.
Now to the eastern snubs.
Two more players who have reason to buy a box of Kleenex and snuggle up with their best friends Ben and Jerry are Josh Smith and David Lee.
Smith starting power forward for the Atlanta Hawks has been a terror on both ends of the court— particularly defensively— all season long. Averaging about 15 points eight 1/2 rebounds four assists and two 1/2 blocks per game on 50-percent shooting the high-flying Smith has had his most productive all-around year since joining the league proving to be a handful for opposing defenses and offenses more than ever before. What’s most surprising about this snub is two of his teammates Joe Johnson and Al Horford made the All-Star team ahead of him. When you compare their numbers it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Horford’s averaging about 13 points nine 1/2 rebounds and a block per contest while not having nearly the same defensive impact as the swatting Smith known for his amazing ability to protect the paint at all costs.
And last but certainly not least Lee’s contributions for the New York Knicks as their starting center have been nothing short of spectacular despite the team’s sub-par record. With averages of nearly 20 points 11 1/2 rebounds and three 1/2 assists on 55-percent shooting from the field Lee has been doing work under the basket with remarkable consistency all year long. His rebounding average is good for fifth in the league and he’s been one of the few bright spots on what has been an otherwise forgetful season for the Knickerbockers.
So there you have my two cents. Take it or leave it but those four men deserve to be in the spotlight for their fantastic seasons thus far. Sorry boys— I guess there’s always next year.