The NBA All Star teams have been picked by the fans and coaches. Like every year we have a few misses and I’m here to highlight a few people who should be in the All Star game this year and who they should be replacing.
First off here are the NBA All Star Rosters. (In the link just in case you bypass it)
I’m going to start in the Eastern Conference. I’ll first point out the player that made it and then talk about a player or players depending on the position who should’ve been picked over the current All Star.
Made It- Joe Johnson, Nets, G/F- First off I want to say the coaches voted him in. Think about that for a second, folks! Joe “Bitches” Johnson is having his worst statistical season of his 12 year career. He made a few game winners in January now he’s an All Star? The Nets are under .500 and he’s averaging a whopping 15.6 ppg, 2.8 apg and 3.3 rpg.
Alternative- Lance Stephenson, Pacers, G/F- Lance is having his best year, Ron already told us he should be an All Star and he’s right. Lance has had multiple triple doubles this year. He’s the ultimate barometer of the Pacers. He’s averaging 14.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 5.3 apg. He’s having a better all around impact than Johnson. He’s also a former Bearcat so that hold weight in my eyes.
Made It- Chris Bosh, Heat, F/C- Bosh or Hibbert could be in this slot, I spared Hibbert because of his defensive presence. Bosh is averaging 16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 1.0 bpg. These are not bad numbers, but with as many games as Wade has missed this year you would expect Bosh to have better numbers. It’s not a travesty like the Johnson pick, but after I highlight my alternative pick you guys should understand.
Alternative- Al Jefferson, Bobcats, F/C- Al Jefferson deserves to be in the All Star game. I feel the NBA doesn’t like Al man. He’s averaging 19.9 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 1.2 bpg. He currently has the Bobcats in the 8th seed in the East. I know I dogged Johnson for having a team under .500, but for the low expectation Bobcats for them to be in the playoff hunt is great. Al has one of the best offensive games for a big man in the league. Reward this man, he’s getting fleeced.
I was going to get into the whole Irving, Teague or Lowry debate, but the fans voted them in. Feel free to drop a comment on who should be an All Star in the East.
I am in total agreement that Lance Stephenson should be over Joe Johnson. Especially seeing that the coaches voted him in. At this point its merely a popularity contest. In today’s game, I don’t think the majority of NBA coaches would take an aged-out if his prime Joe Johnson over a young/ high ceiling Lance Stephenson.
Now Bosh & Al Jefferson is a different story. Why Bosh stat line may not be that of Jefferson’s, he has been the heats most valuable player next to LeBron. D. Wade has missed a lot of games this season due to “rest” and Bosh has stepped up HUGE for the Heat. He is still in my eyes one of the most underrated players in the NBA.
al jeff all day!