Dwight Howard never touched the rim on his Superman “dunk” … just like Rip Hamilton had his foot on the line on his last few “threes.” But how come Dwight’s dunk counted and Rip’s threes didn’t? Call it apples and oranges if you will, but it’s a legitimate question.
Tag Archive for 'All-Star Game'
I’ve seen bits and pieces of this interview in random articles around the web, but here it is in its pure, unadulterated, original Q&A format. From InsideHoops:
Q: What was your reaction when you heard you were selected for the All-Star Game?
Rasheed Wallace: Hot. But my wife was more hot than me. You know, she tried to act a little surprised or whatever, but hey, we had to come here. When I told her that, I thought she was going to beat me up.
Q: What are your thoughts now that you’re here?
Rasheed Wallace: I mean, it’s cool, seeing all these young boys out here being able to do their thing. It ain’t nothing new though.
Q: Did you miss Media Day yesterday on purpose or by accident?
Rasheed Wallace: No, no, no, it was a real [delay]. Yeah, it was a real [delay]. I wouldn’t have done that. I would have not come at all if I didn’t come yesterday. It was strictly an accident.
Q: What are the Pistons looking to do during the second half of the season?
Rasheed Wallace: Just to lock it down, buckle it up, and get ready for the playoffs. Let’s get into the transition where we can run everything smooth without really thinking, make it our second nature. Just go out there and do it ‘ keep doing what we’ve been doing these last couple weeks.
The Freep’s Chris Silva reports that Wallace had flight trouble but did arrive in time to participate in an NBA Cares community event. In a video on HOOPSWORLD, Rasheed talks about seeing first-hand some of the damage that New Orleans is still trying to recover from.
As for the actual game, most guys slack on defense and play hard on offense, but Rasheed did it the other way around — he played hard D and goofed off on the other end by launching left-handed threes.
And since we’re on the topic, Silva’s feature on Rasheed from this weekend gives a great perspective on how he’s viewed by his peers around the league.
Rip Hamilton will put his tramp ball on display for the world during the three-point shootout All-Star weekend.
As I’m sure you already know, the Eastern Conference coaches have spoken and named Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton as All-Star reserves for the third straight year. In my latest piece for HOOPSWORLD, I get their reaction to the honor:
Hamilton echoed Billups’ sentiments. “It’s fun, it’s exciting,” he said. “I wouldn’t be going to the All-Star without my teammates. It’s great for Chauncey to be there with me, so it’s exciting.”
In fact, it’s only appropriate the two players are going together, considering how tied their fortunes have been ever since arriving in Detroit at the same time in 2002.
“We always said we’re a package deal,” said Billups. “We came into this town together and with big dreams trying to win a championship and be the best backcourt in the world. And I think we’ve done that.”
That phrase — “best backcourt in the world” — has been bandied around so many times around here that I rarely give it much thought. I still believe it be true, but who would you rank behind them?
By Kevin Sawyer
Well, the fans have spoken and have made their largely uninformed selections to represent their respective conferences in the NBA 2008 all-star game. Here are my capsule commentaries on the starters, and my votes for who should be selected as reserves.
Eastern Conference
Forwards – LeBron James & Kevin Garnett
Well, yeah.
Center – Dwight Howard
Hmmm… Maybe the fans got it right this year.
Guards – Jason Kidd & Dwyane Wade
Now that’s the ignorance we’ve come to know and love. How mediocre has Kidd been this season? Three teams in the league have TWO point guards with better player efficiency ratings. That’s what happens when you shoot 37%. This ranks with the worst starting selections in all-star history. I can tolerate the Wade pick, though I am starting to wonder if it will be his last. He’s the Bernard King of guards.
Western Conference
Forwards - Tim Duncan & Carmelo Anthony
If I put together a list of the NBAs most overrated players next year, I know who I am adding. No, not Duncan, for crying out loud.
Center – Yao Ming
This could have gone either way, between Yao and Amare Stoudemire. Stoudemire has been better, but has played fewer minutes, and Yao is on the upswing. Of course, China will ensure that Yao is elected so long as he is on the ballot.
Guards – Kobe Bryant & Allen Iverson
I can’t knock the fans for failing to send Paul, who is relatively new to the scene, and plays in a small (and otherwise plagued) market. Iverson’s selection over Nash surprises me, but he (unlike Melo) merits and all-star selection, and, you know, thugz foreva’ and all that.
Eastern Reserves
Forwards: Caron Butler, Paul Pierce, Josh Smith
Apologies to: Richard Jefferson, Antawn Jamison
Much is being made of the Wizards “miracle” run to 42 wins without Gilbert Arenas, and Butler deserves all the credit in the world, but that roster doesn’t have three all-stars on it. Ditto the Nets, except that nobody is making anything of them, and their roster doesn’t have a single all-star on it, and their inexorable march to 42 wins has been a bit circuitous this year. Pierce is borderline, but it’s fairly well impossible not to give the Celtics two selections. Josh Smith hasn’t quite arrived yet, but is the most talented of this group.
Centers: Chris Bosh
Apologies to Shaq, Brendan Haywood, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
I am guessing that most coaches are going to make the same calculation I have here. Shaq is injured, and hasn’t played well when healthy. Bosh can play center, and the sportswriters have been pimping him for this spot for a while. I have to wonder if Haywood doesn’t pick up Ilgauskas Memorial unnecessary third center award. Of course, Ilgauskas himself is in the running as well, but voters might fix upon Haywood on a surprising Wizards team.
Guards: Jose Calderon, Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton
Apologies to: Michael Redd, Ray Allen
Billups’ inclusion is obvious. Calderon’s numbers look a little weak because he has just emerged into the starting role, but his per minute play doesn’t even make it a close shave. Rip and Redd are neck and neck as usual, so team success is the tie-breaker. Ray Allen really shouldn’t be in the discussion, but will almost certainly be selected for his final all-star appearance.
Prediction: Butler, Jamison, Haywood, Pierce, Allen, Billups and Bosh round out the worst all-star roster in NBA history.
Western Reserves
Forwards: Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Boozer
Apologies to: Josh Howard, Al Jefferson, Shawn Marion
Nowitzki and Boozer are extremely obvious. Howard and Marion are victims of the hit parade of outstanding guards, which represents a sea change from a year ago. Jefferson is probably deserving, but his team is really bad, and he really doesn’t play any defense.
Center: Amare Stoudemire
Apologies to: Marcus Camby, Andrew Bynum
Many writers are hocking Camby here over Stoudemire, which is ridiculous. Stoudemire may be the best center in basketball. Nobody can say that about Camby. Alas, the Camby love might result in another Ilgauskas award, ousting a much more deserving player.
Guards: Chris Paul, Manu Ginobili, Steve Nash, Baron Davis
Apologies to: Tracy McGrady, Deron Williams, Brandon Roy, Tony Parker, Kevin Martin…
Can’t see denying Ginobili this year when he has easily been the most effective Spur (and a top ten player in the league) though he might be snubbed yet again. Chris Paul and Steve Nash need no introduction. That leaves Davis as the most controversial pick here, and I think he is in a virtual tie with Williams. Tie-breaker goes to the team with no all-stars, and I think the coaches will agree with me, though I think Ginobili will lose out to the feel-good story Roy or the slightly overrated Josh Howard.
Prediction: Nowitzki, Boozer, Stoudemire, Paul, Nash, Davis and Howard, though the last pick could go in any number of directions.
Like Kevin Sawyer before him, Mike Payne is making the jump from frequent DBB commenter to occasional DBB guest writer. And, also like Kevin, he’s stumping for Chauncey Billups to receive your All-Star vote. It’s a good thing, because Chauncey needs your votes: at last check, he was sixth in the East, which is just plain wrong on so many different levels.
By Mike Payne
After spending 19 years growing up in the Detroit area, this Pistons fan spent 8 more in Chicago before moving to Iowa. On January 3rd, I caucused for Barack Obama to represent the Democratic Party as our Presidential Nominee. After a tough, close loss tonight in New Hampshire, I focus my political energies on an altogether different race: the NBA All Star Game and its representation from the Eastern Conference. I hereby submit my vote for the best point guard in the Eastern Conference, Chauncey Billups. Here’s why he should earn our vote for the number one All Star point guard on our side of the NBA.
This blogger’s passions are evenly split between basketball and politics. It has always come down to data — in politics, there is likely voter polling, exit polling, and actual hard vote numbers that push a candidate over the edge. In basketball, there are hard performance numbers — field goal percentage, assist to turnover ratios, the controversial +/- column the NBA has recently added, yet there is another, uglier side to this beast — popularity. The All Star vote doesn’t always rely on sheer performance data, as does politics. The final nomination comes down to popularity. This embodies the touchy-feely support that can’t be quantified by hard numbers.
If we focus sheerly on performance data, Chauncey Billups still owns a healthy lead amongst other Eastern Conference point guards. On the season, Chauncey is out-shooting, out-assisting, out-scoring and outperforming his free throw numbers against last season — and in less floor minutes. Chauncey is tallying a career best assist per game stat in 40 minutes, and career best pure shooting accuracy on the same timeline.
But the All Star vote should not be about individual performance. All Star voting should be based on team performance, and this player’s influence on his team’s record. Detroit currently holds the 2nd best record in the NBA, barely behind their growing rival the Boston Celtics. With a 76.5% win record, Chauncey Billups’ Detroit Pistons are obviously regarded as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference right alongside Boston. But will Chauncey receive the leading All Star vote in this conference?
Likely not. If not Chauncey, then who? With Gilbert Arenas sidelined for most of this season, with Kirk Hinrich playing at his worst, there remains only one other Fan Favorite who could earn a starting spot over Chauncey Billups. Enter Jason Kidd, the proud finger-kissing, feminist’s favorite — whose team barely holds on to a .500 record. There has been much debate about his value within our own DBB community. While his triple double numbers continue to roll on, can NBA fans still praise Jason Kidd as an All Star? Especially over Chauncey Billups?
If it came down to pure numbers — the performance of this season against season’s past, the player’s team record so far this season, there is no doubt Chauncey Billups should represent our conference as a starting point guard in the February All Star Game. Even if it came down to sporting conduct (on the court and especially off the court), Chauncey is the clear choice. But this vote will once again come down to popularity, to qualities that cannot be quantified. As the race for Presidential Nominations changed today in New Hampshire, so shall the vote for Eastern Conference All Star point guard fall to the popular status-quo.
What can you do to turn the tables in favor of change in New Orleans? What can you do to bring about positive representation in the Eastern Conference? What can you, a DBB reader, do to change the tide of popularity over performance? You can go to NBA.com, right now, and cast your vote for the best point guard in the Eastern Conference, and perhaps the most accurate point guard in the NBA. Chauncey Billups deserves our votes, Pistons fans or not. Encourage your friends, family to do the same. We owe our team’s livelihood to Chauncey, it is time we share our appreciation with him in the ballots for the NBA All Star Game of 2008. Vote Today, Vote Often, Pistons Fans. Our Conference’s reputation depends on it.
By Kevin Sawyer
Well, it’s that time of year again. No, not Christmas, and I am so offended that you made assumptions about my religion. It’s time to stuff the ballot box with votes for Piston players carefully consider and cast your vote for the 2008 all-star lineup. You know this, of course, you have probably already voted at least once, and I’m certainly preaching to the choir… But nonetheless, here is my case for Chauncey Billups to start in the NBA all-star game.
As I’ve stated before, Chauncey is having the best year of his career, producing his best numbers with slightly less playing time than usual. However, the guard position in the East has been pretty top-loaded, with luminaries like Wade and Arenas, and high-scorers like Iverson and Redd. But this year, Billups unquestionably deserves your vote. More so than any other guard in the East, Chauncey Billups should be starting in the all star game.
What Billups does is often under appreciated. His contribution is a product of his efficiency. In particular, his ability to get to the line (augmented by a gaudy free throw percentage), combined with his ability to hold on to the ball make him one of the deadliest offensive threats in the NBA. Take Sunday’s game against the Warriors as an example. His stat-line might look unspectacular: nineteen points with two assists and six rebounds. But he scored those nineteen points while taking only five shots.
Is efficiency what we are looking for in the all star game? I think so. How much do YOU enjoy watching players loft alley-oop passes into the 10th row? The first time, it’s funny. The second time, I’m going to get a beer.
And there’s storyline value. Imagine Chauncey hooking up with Garnett for a killer drive, dish and dunk. Cut to a shot of a pensive Kevin McHale, visions of Marko Jaric dancing in his head.
Of course, none of this takes into consideration that Billups is a top-tier defender.
And let’s examine the guard situation in the East for a moment. Let’s take it as a given that Dwyane Wade is getting in. Arguably the best player in the NBA when healthy. No protest here. But the rest of the list is problematic.
We have Ray Allen, the brilliance of whose team is overshadowing what is easily the worst year of his career. The world’s most famous three point specialist isn’t shooting any better than Billups from the outside and it isn’t for lack of open looks.
Gilbert Arenas seems well-positioned to win the Vince Carter memorial “is anyone even paying attention to this game?” vote. He was playing lousy basketball even before a knee injury, um, freed up more time for blogging.
It’s a good thing the all-star ballot lists the Western Conference first, sparing the league office from having to answer 200,000 phone calls complaining that Allen Iverson isn’t on it. Some fans will probably waste their vote on Michael Redd, a one-dimensional player for a mediocre team, and pat themselves on the back for being savvy fans.
And then there’s Jason Kidd, who is (say it with me folks) NEARLY AVERAGING A TRIPLE-DOUBLE! Nonetheless, he is averaging 11 ppg on 37% shooting. Triple doubles (and migraines) aside, he isn’t even outplaying Vince Carter, another likely recipient of pure name-recognition votes.
Further, Billups falls victim to the notion that the Pistons play as a team. It is true that the Pistons play great team ball… It’s just the Billups plays it a little better than the other starters. Even the alphabet is unkind, giving careless fans two easy picks (Allen and Arenas) before they get to “Billups, Chauncey”.
So it isn’t enough for us to simply stuff ballot boxes. We have to evangelize for our boy. Tell your cocky Cavs fan friends to do the right thing. Tell suicidal Blazers devotees that a Billups vote will help them in the afterlife. I’ve done my part, having already sent an e-mail to all six Minnesota basketball fans, making the case for the former Timberwolf.
Let’s get it done.
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