NBA All-Star Game Snubs

The NBA All-Star squads are solid.  There’s a case for guys like Carmelo Anthony and David Lee, but in my mind there were two real snubs—pne in each conference.

I’ll start in the East. 

Whenever I feel someone was snubbed, you have to say who they should replace.  Until they expand the roster, which is absolutely what they should do, there is a set number of players participating. 

If you want to add someone, you better take someone away.  Otherwise you’re argument lacks merit.  If I had my druthers I would replace Jameer Nelson with Mo Williams.  Let’s look at the numbers:

Williams—17.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 0.8 spg, 46.8 FG percent, 94.2 FT percent, 39.4 3FG percent
Nelson—17.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 50.6 FG percent, 88.7 FT percent, 45.6 3FG percent

The numbers show Jameer Nelson has a slight edge, but there is more to it than just numbers. 

Mo Williams has finally given LeBron James a running mate.  He’s helped guide the Cavs to a 37-9 record despite missing Zydrunas Ilgauskas for an extended period. 

Orlando has played well at 36-10, but they also have Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkolgu.
 
In the West I would have to replace Shaq with Big Al Jefferson.  Shaq typically doesn’t play on back-to-back nights.  Meanwhile, Big Al is continually putting up double-doubles without much help.  Let’s take a look at their numbers.

Big Al - 23.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 1.7 bpg, 49.7 FG%, 74.6 FT%, 1.8 turnovers
Shaq - 18.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.4 spg, 1.6 bpg, 58.9 FG%, 62.9 FT%

Not only does Shaq not play every game, he’s at 31 minutes a game to Big Al’s almost 37. 

Shaq is in an offense with Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, Grant Hill, and others.  Big Al has Randy Foye and a bunch of stiffs.  Despite having the offense run through him, Big Al only has 1.8 turnovers per game to Shaq’s 2.2. 
 
Their team records aren’t close, but Minnesota has improved over the past month.