Lillard AS chances again: Kobe, Paul

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...os-angeles-clippers-eyes-return-all-star-game


http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...eles-lakers-re-evaluate-kobe-bryant-next-week

 

If both play it clearly hurts his chances but even worse it destroys the chances of a guy like Dragic or Conley who have 0 chance if Paul or Kobe play let alone both.

 

Paul likely will play. Kobe still up in the air but potentially could.


Now we are back to Lillard vs. Parker in the coach's vote, with the loser hoping

1. Kobe doesn't play
2. to be named by Stern as Kobe's replacement instead of the odd man out between Anthony Davis and Cousins

Even if Kobe doesn't play Lillard is far from a sure thing now. If by chance (for example) the coaches "spurs-must-have-a-rep-and-the-Blazers-already-have-Aldridge" sympathy vote in Parker, and it came down to Lillard vs. Davis in Stern's mind, I would not feel good about Lillard's chances. Just based on statistics and reputation for 2-way play Davis is obviously more deserving, and Stern does not tend to give team record nearly as much consideration as the coaches do.

 

Their chances were iffy either way, because as noted above even if Kobe and Paul didn't play opening spots for both Lillard and Parker, guys like Dragic/Conley/Lawson would end up being up against one of Anthony Davis or Cousins in the mind of David Stern which, ignoring team record which Stern sometimes does, would be no contest.

 

Not that is matters a whole lot but it would it be up to Stern or Silver?

 

Stern is out Feb 1 so depends on when replacements are named.

 

Huh, hadn't thought of that interesting question. Reserves are announced Jan 30, Stern steps down Feb.1. There's a 2 day window there for Stern to name replacements, but Kobe's status could still be up in the air during that time.

 

Of course Paul is coming back.... it's all about ego. If he would have been voted in by the fans, he might have sat it out because he could still say he's an All-Star this year, but because Curry passed him the only way he can make the team is if the coaches vote him in. They might be reluctant to do that if he's still injured. Paul isn't going to want to have a year where he wasn't an All-Star, so he's going to rush back just to make the game and steal a spot from someone who deserves it.

 

Dame not making it will only fuel him. But if it's CP/Curry/Harden/Parker who make it instead, we shouldn't really be up in arms.

 

There's always the possibility Stern would be "advising" Silver on replacements even after he steps down.

 

And that's VERY possible.

 

Fuel him to defend in Skills and smoke the 3p contest hopefully.

I think he's got a very good case against Parker.

 

Not if Duncan doesn't make it. I also think we need to finish top two in the west in order to get Dame in. Right now we're playing iffy ball so I'm not sure if he'll get the nod.

 

I meant he has a good statistical (+clutch) case over Parker. Otherwise yeah team considerations often are way more important than stats in how the coach's vote.

 

I think if we have LA in, and the Spurs don't get Duncan, I don't see Dame making it. I really don't see the Spurs without an All-Star if they're at or near the top of the west.

 

On a related topic it would be cool if LMA was the first reserve named by EJ a week from tomorrow. The last 2 years (at least) TNT has named reserves in what appeared to be descending order of coach's vote totals, and LMA should be very near the top.

 

I think Paul deserves it over Lillard and Parker if he's healthy enough to play, and the coaches wouldn't be wrong to pick Paul over the other two. He has played 34 games this year at an MVP-level. Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, does not deserve to make it this year, and it would be 100% ego, and 100% selfishness, if he comes back to play in the game.

 

I'm not going to argue with you on that. Paul deserves to make it, but I'll still be pissed if he comes back just to make the squad and then sits out most of the game because his shoulder hurts.

 

Me too!

Of course, bench players haven't been treated so well in recent years at the AS game, anyhow. LMA has been treated like a scrub the last two years.

 

Conspiracy theory alert. Perhaps Chris Paul was tipped off today that he passed Steph Curry in the voting, and now will be named a starter?

Voting closed today. It wouldn't look good for the NBA if the Top 2 backcourt players in votes weren't able to play in the game. Seems odd that both injured players would put out messages today targeting the AS game as a return, which is just fucking stupid if you think about what it actually means to their teams in the long-run.