All-Star Game Controversy

With the All-Star starters announced for 2010, I wanted to discuss the should be starting fives for each team and the people who may now get snubbed from the game with the selection of Allen Iverson. And that leads me to my first point, Allen Iverson should not be in the All-Star game, no way. I am not going to totally disagree with the rest of the starters because they should all be All-Stars. KG and Duncan may not have the best stats at their positions, but they are the best players on their respective power teams. Now there are seven other spots on both team open for discussion. My seven from the West are: Kevin Durant (Thunder), Brandon Roy (Blazers), Carlos Boozer (Jazz), Chris Paul (Hornets), Deron Williams (Jazz), Pau Gasol (Lakers), and Tyreke Evans (Kings). My seven from the East are: Chris Bosh (Raptors), Joe Johnson (Hawks), Gerald Wallace (Bobcats), David Lee (Knicks), Rajon Rondo (Celtics), Derrick Rose (Bulls), and Paul Pierce (Celtics). Agree or Disagree??

Video of the Day: Robin Lopez

Brotherly Love, and their mother, Mrs. Lopez was present..

Dalembert's Haiti Trip

Samuel Dalembert, a native of Haiti, returned from his brief trip to his homeland. Dalembert was at a lost of words when describing the conditions that his homeland was being faced with. Here are some of his comments after the Philadelphia and Portland game last night, "I had surgeries performed in front of me on folding kitchen tables, the situation is so terrible. Kids are running around with no sandals. Doctors take shifts and work like 20 hours straight. You can see they’re so tired in their eyes, then they hop a plane, sleep and come back two days later." I encourage all to help out with the efforts in restoring the land of Haiti.

After Dirk, Comes Elias

Dirk Nowitzki is a household name for most basketball fans. When most people think Dirk, they think seven foot shooter from Germany. There is another basketball player from Germany whose name you need to know, Elias Harris. Many basketball fans are unfamiliar with this German player. Harris is a 6'8 freshman forward from the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Going into this season, the Gonzaga squad was unranked and graduated four starters. They are now ranked #10 in the country with Harris leading the team in points (15.5) and rebounds (7.9). Harris has also managed to climb his way into the first round of the NBA draft predictions. He is 20 years old, therefore, leaving after his freshman year would not be a big surprise. Harris is a versatile forward, and arguably the best college basketball player on the west coast. It is time to recognize..

Shaq on Dunk Contest

Shaq has never been a shy guy towards the media. He is back at it again. It seems that O'Neal is not very impressed with the dunk contest contestants this year. Shaq ran to Lebron's defense claiming there was no competition for him in this year's contest. “As his manager, I will only allow LeBron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out, if Kobe [Bryant] comes back out and if another big name comes back out,” O’Neal said. “And if we can get a big prize and half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner." “The guys that are in it, no disrespect to them, but they wouldn’t really be any competition for LeBron,” O’Neal said. On Tuesday, James said he enjoys watching All-Star Saturday night but that he doesn’t feel like taking part. He said he has no regrets for going back on his statement from a year ago. “I’m not a regretful guy,” James said. “I don’t know, I’m just not high on [the contest].” If Shaq could somehow make this dream field come true at the dunk contest, it could change the face on the contest forever. We will just have to see how much influence Shaq really has..

Mid-Season Awards

Coach of the Year: Scott Brooks-Thunder
Defensive POY: Gerald Wallace-Bobcats
Most Improved POY: Zach Randolph-Grizzlies
Sixth Man: Jamal Crawford-Hawks
Rookie of the Year: Tyreke Evans-Kings
MVP: Kobe Bryant-Lakers

Video of the Day: Jeff Green

Smith on the wrong end of this poster..

No Lebron In Dunk Contest

The 2010 dunk contest contestants were announced today, and Lebron James was not on the list after promising to join during last year's All-Star break. DeMar Derozan and Eric Gordon will dunk it out after the Rookie/Sophomore game on Friday night to decide the fourth guy. The three announced today were defending champion Nate Robinson, most improved player candidate Gerald Wallace, and the spark plug from Hollywood Shannon Brown. The current field isn't going to be a bust, but Lebron James in the dunk contest had such a good ring to it. My pick to win: Shannon Brown. The dunk contest is Saturday, February 13.

Marbury to China

According to SLAMonline.com, “The 32-year-old, a free agent since leaving the Boston Celtics last season, had agreed a deal with the northern club and would arrive in Shanxi next week, the team announced on their official website (www.sxcba.com). ‘The aim of signing Marbury is to pay back our fans and try to win more games in the rest of the season,’ said Shanxi boss Wang Xingjiang. The 2001 and 2003 NBA All Star was expected to help boost Shanxi’s ticket sales as well as their chances of making the playoffs. Shanxi is currently 15th in the 17-team league.”

All-Decade Teams

I have been slacking tremendously with my blogs over this winter break. I have done a little research, and I am prepared to bring you the All-Decade teams for college basketball:

First Team:
Kenyon Martin-Cincinnati
Carmelo Anthony-Syracuse
JJ Redick-Duke
Kevin Durant-Texas
Tyler Hansbrough-North Carolina

Second Team:
Shane Battier-Duke
Jay Williams-Duke
Jameer Nelson-St. Joe's
Adam Morrison-Gonzaga
Michael Beasley-Kansas State

Third Team:
Dwayne Wade-Marquette
TJ Ford-Texas
Emeka Okafor-UConn
Blake Griffin-Oklahoma
Ben Gordon-UConn

Honorable Mention:
Stephen Curry-Davidson
Andrew Bogut-Utah
Derrick Rose-Memphis
Juan Dixon-Maryland
Chris Paul-Wake Forest