Being a homer aside, who should start in place of Kobe? Parker. 18 ppg, 51% FG, 2.5 boards, 6.3 assists. PER 20.5. Team record: 32-10 Harden. 22 ppg, 45% FG, 5 boards, 5 assists. PER 21. Team record: 29-15 K Thompson. 18 ppg. 45% FG, 42% 3, 3 boards, 2.5 assists. PER 14 Team record: 28-15 Dragic: 19 ppg, 49% FG, 37% 3, 3.3 boards, 6 assists. PER 21.2 Team record: 25-16 Lillard: 21 ppg, 42% FG, 42% 3, 3.7 boards, 5.7 assists. PER 19.6 Team record: 32-11 I didn't include offensive and defensive stats because they're pretty much all so-so defenders. So, who gets it? I didn't include, but you can obviously vote for, Chris Paul (injured and who knows if he'll be back) and Rubio (obvious reasons).
Why is he an "easy" choice? to me, Parker is. He's a better player, he's more consistent, actually plays defense (not great, but better than Harden) and his team has a better record.
It's between Parker, Harden, and Lillard. It's not that easy of a decision. I really don't know! Parker and Lillard are on the better teams and help them accordingly. Harden is on a good team but seems to have to do the heavy lifting -at times- and still that isn't enough. I'd say between Parker and Lillard if it were fair, but it will most likely be Harden because of the China Effect. (Not that he gets voted in, because it's not about that, but the 'nudge nudge you have an opening' kind of thing)
Houston isn't that much worse record wise than San Antonio and Portland, I don't think their record should count against them in this case.
It will probably be Harden. Parker and Dame's numbers are very similar, except Dame is averaging a couple more points.
How does this work now? I thought Stern picks Kobe's replacement, and the coach decides who to start.
That is a good question. Maybe Stern picks the replacement, and the coach decides who starts. Although I'm not sure why Stern gets the sole vote for replacements. They should poll the coaches, imho.
The interesting thing will be who Stern names in his place on the team. Will it be a guard or another forward?
The reason I ask is if Stern picks his replacement, then the coaches' ballots should not have that guy on there. Could be a timing issue. What you suggest makes the most sense. Ask the coaches to vote for one extra player, and the guy with the highest # of votes gets to replace Kobe. I think it will be a guard. Didn't this happen a few years ago for us with ZBo getting shafted while I think he picked Okur instead?? Edit: yup http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/allstar2007/news/story?id=2764703 Okur replaced an injured Boozer, while Ray Allen replaced an injured Iverson.
Stern/Silver picks Kobe's replacement on the team. The coach at the time of the game picks who starts in his place from players on the team. so the commish pick doesn't have to be a guard and could well be a F/C, and at least one of Anthony Davis/Cousins will not be voted in so there will be at least one deserving F/C available.
