Time for a Break: NBA All-Star Weekend

With the All-Star break upon us, is anyone else a tad nervous about the NBA stars carousing the streets of N’Awlins this weekend?

After the professional hoopsters dispelled the theory that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, one can only shudder about the happenings on Bourbon Street over the next 72 hours. At least the Mardi Gras season is behind us.

The break gives us a chance to stop and collect our thoughts on the season.

Time for a test

You can call them what you like: Beast of the East, Gang Green, Boston Three Party, etc. The Celts will hear the call of the alarm clock next week. Check out Boston’s upcoming schedule:

Tuesday @ Denver
Wednesday @ Golden State
Friday @ Phoenix
Sunday @ Portland

OUCH! Begs the question: Who is more need of getting home? Dorothy or the Boston Celtics sans Kevin Garnett?

Speaking of going home

Guess it's not always possible.

The Mavs and Nets agreed in principle to send Jason Kidd back to Dallas. That is until Devean George realized he could lose his 'Bird' rights (a little known league clause involving players with a one-year contract that gives said player the right to veto a trade).

While any reason to mention 'Legend' in the present tense of the NBA is a good thing, for George it is serious stuff when considering his free agent rights at the end of the season.

Even if the teams overcome this hurdle, Jerry Stackhouse (one of the players in the deal) muddied the waters by suggesting he would re-sign with the Mavs after sitting out 30 days with the Nets. Hmmm...the league can’t like any sort of collusion-type activity like that.

Speaking of trades

I’m still not sold that Shaq will help the Suns get to the finals, but I do like the stick-it-to-the-man value of the Suns/Heat trade. "Kindergarten" Marion has done nothing but complain while in Phoenix. Wonder how he likes going from a contender to the basement of the East?

Shhhhh...

Did anybody notice that the Spurs acquired Damon Stoudamire? Maybe I am over-valuing Stoudamire, but this is kinda like Stefano Petronelli and the Russian thugs joining Mark Wahlberg’s crew at the end of Italian Job. Petronelli and gang were a checkmate on Ed Norton. Stoudamire might be a checkmate on the rest of the West.

Glad I didn’t have to pick the West reserves. AI and Kobe are more than deserving of starter status, and Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Brandon Roy earned their reserve nominations.

But how do you leave out Baron Davis, Deron Williams, and Manu Ginobili? Who would have been left out if Tony Parker was healthy?

Lack of Respect?

Anyone else think Jose Calderon deserved an All-Star spot?