NBA All Star Game: Help Prevent Slights, Cast Your Prevention Ballot Today!
Remember last year when Allen Iverson made the All-Star Game? That was bad.
Everyone complained about it, but it was the negligent fans who were at fault. Don't blame it on the guys who voted; blame it on the guys who didn't.
Prevent All-Start slights before they happen by voting early, voting often, and voting smart. Following are a list of potential slights. Consider casting an "All-Slight" ballot with these names on it. Give these guys a shot! Even if they aren't starters, if they get enough votes, they might make it in as backups.
I know the backups aren't voted in, but coaches might take your votes into consideration when they vote.
Eastern Conference Guard No. 1: Stephen Jackson
1 of 10
Projected Starters: Dwyayne Wade and Derrick Rose
Projected Backups: Rajon Rondo, John Wall, Ray Allen
Stephen Jackson is scoring more than any guard in the East not named Derrick Rose. With so many point guards in the East playing so well, the shooting guards have been pushed to the wayside. Jackson, though, had his second career triple-double this season, and is averaging almost 20 points, four boards and four dimes a game. In a nation that can forgive Michael Vick, can we also forgive Stephen Jackson and give him a vote for the All Star game? He deserves it this year more than Ray Allen.
Eastern Conference Guard No. 2: Raymond Felton
2 of 10
Raymond Felton has quietly been having a very good season, averaging 18 points and eight assists per game to go along with two steals. New York is .500 right now and seems improved from last year. It's not all about Stoudamire. In fact, Amare's numbers aren't really that different from Lee's. No, the difference is Felton, and he deserves a "do not slight" vote.
Eastern Conference Forward No. 1: Josh Smith
3 of 10
Projected Starters: LeBron James and Kevin Garnett
Projected Backups: Amare' Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Carlos Boozer
In actuality right now, Josh Smith is playing better than any forward in the East other than LeBron. He won't get a lot of votes for the All Star game, though. His efficiency is over 22 with 16 points, to go with eight boards and nearly 2 1/2 blocks per game. Fill out one ballot with Smith's name on it. He deserves it. He certainly deserves it over Bosh this season.
Eastern Conference Forward No. 2: Danny Granger
4 of 10
Here's a guy that has consistently been scoring 20 ppg over the last few seasons. He's only been to All Star Game, though. Technically, Brand and Amar'e have been outplaying him this year, but why not? They've had there games; why not give Danny just one? Or at least just give him one vote.
Eastern Conference Center: Joakim Noah
5 of 10
Projected Starter: Dwight Howard
Projected Backup: Al Horford
If there's a position in the Eastern Conference that is a hands down sure thing, it's that Dwight Howard should be and will be the Eastern Conference starter at center. What you may not know is that currently, among all Eastern Conference players at any position, Noah leads in efficiency. Noah may be the most underrated player in the league right now. Let him "noah" you've noticed. Give him a vote.
Western Conference Guard No. 1: Monta Ellis
6 of 10
Projected Starters: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant
Projected Backups: Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Deron Williams
Monta Ellis is one of the top scorers in the league this year, but his chances of making the All Star game are minimal because of the sheer star power of the Western Conference guards. He deserves to be there more than Steve Nash though, so why not give him a vote instead?
Western Conference Guard No. 2: Manu Ginobli
7 of 10
Here's a stunner for you. Manu has only been to one All-Star game. This year's impressive start by the Spurs is not because of Tim Duncan, but because of the consistent overall play of Manu. It's time to send him back to the All-Star game for the first time since 2005. Give him a vote.
Western Conference Forward: Kevin Love
8 of 10
Projected Starters: Pau Gasol, Kevin Durant
Projected Backups: Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Zach Randolph
Here's the problem with the Western Conference ballot. Gasol is listed as a forward, but he's played the entire season as a center. He deserves to be the West's starting center; instead, he'll have to settle for being a starting forward. That means someone who should be able to go in that forward slot won't.
One guy who should be going but won't is Kevin Love. He's leading the league in rebounding and scoring a respectable 19 points per game. Give him a vote. Love him live.
Western Conference Forward No. 2: Paul Millsap
9 of 10
The Jazz went out and got Al Jefferson to replace Carlos Boozer. The guy who they already had though has outplayed Jefferson though.. In fact Millsap is playing at an All-Star level, averaging nearly 19 points and nine boards a game, while playing stellar defense the whole way. Millsap is just the type of guy that voters tend to overlook. Here's your chance to not overlook him. You'll have to write him in though. As one of the readers pointed out to me, he's not even on the ballot!
Western Conference Center: Marc Gasol
10 of 10
Projected Starter: Marcus Camby
Projected Backup: Al Jefferson
It's ironic but it's possible that little brother Marc could be the beneficiary of Pau's placement as a forward. Marc's numbers are a little bit down from last year, but the center spot in the Western Conference is weak compared to the other positions.. So why not give little bro' a nod and give him a vote? I mean, has anyone in NBA history been so slammed for being traded for his brother!?
Did I miss anyone? Do you see a slight on the horizon? Here's your opportunity to put in your pitch. Leave a comment below and let us know who deserves to go.
