Well we have discussed this in threads on previous occasions, but never really had an official thread about it, so here it is (I am to please). According to the popular vote right now, Chicago Bulls fans suck, only guy we have been able to get in the top ten in position voting in Ben Wallace (third among centers), Deng is getting beat out by Chris Webber, while Gordon and Hinrich are getting destroyed by Steve Francis... Yeah, so hopefully you guys get the point that we need to start voting more....next year. At this point its become pretty obvious who the starters will be for each conference. However, who will the backups be? Who does everyone feel will be representing Chicago. I feel that we will have at least two guys there in Wallace and Deng. Now with the injuries to some of the guards in the east Gordon might have a slim shot, but I'm not holding my breath. How does everyone else feel about this?
Like the NFL, the NBA All-Star game is a popularity contest rather then who are the 'All-Stars' of that season. As for who should be in, I think Luol Deng is the only Bulls player deserving. He has played exceptionally well and has improved a lot since last year. Wallace has been very inconsistent I feel, though he has been better lately I don't think he really deserves it.
The center position in the east is extremely weak, if Shaquille chooses to sit out this year, the two spots left up to coaches selection would be up for grabs between Howard, Wallace, and to some extent possible Curry. I can't think of anyone else in the east who has really put up the numbers to be considered at that position.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The center position in the east is extremely weak, if Shaquille chooses to sit out this year, the two spots left up to coaches selection would be up for grabs between Howard, Wallace, and to some extent possible Curry. I can't think of anyone else in the east who has really put up the numbers to be considered at that position.</div> Krstic could have been one of he didn't get injured for the rest of the season.
Ben Gordon pretty much agrees with me... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There?s only a few more days left in All-Star voting, and the guys on this team that would definitely get my vote are Ben Wallace and Luol Deng. I think Luol has easily proven to be one of the best forwards in the East. He?s a completely different player than he was last year and he?s improved in just about every aspect of the game. Big Ben does what he does. There aren?t many players in the league that can compare to what he brings to the court defensively and on the rebounding side of things. To me, he?s a shoe-in. I?d love to be an All-Star, but it?s not necessarily a goal because I can?t control it. It would be a huge honor, though, and I think it?s something that just about every NBA player aspires to achieve. I feel like the numbers I?ve put up make me a candidate, too. We?ll see what happens. </div> Read more...
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The center position in the east is extremely weak, if Shaquille chooses to sit out this year, the two spots left up to coaches selection would be up for grabs between Howard, Wallace, and to some extent possible Curry. I can't think of anyone else in the east who has really put up the numbers to be considered at that position.</div> Bosh, he's not a true C, but there's few anyway; and maybe the other O'Neil. The Bulls allstars is tough, one of my friends always IMs me everytime I go on AIM n explains why he thinks Deng and Gordon should make it. I agree they're having good seasons, but it's HARD to make the all-star team. Arenas had to be commisioner selected or whatever last year despite avg a TON of points (i think he was selected to replace an injured guy, not sure). I hope to see some Bulls representing, but if not I could care less, I want to see a champsionship run much more...
<div class="quote_poster">Carter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Krstic could have been one of he didn't get injured for the rest of the season.</div> If Krstic had been healthy, he still wouldn't have been considered in the East. Dwight Howard deserves to start but he will probably be a reserve, Ben Wallace deserves to be a reserve, and Shaquille O'Neal is going to start just because he's popular. Nenad isn't good enough yet to be considered.
<div class="quote_poster">holyace2k2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Bosh, he's not a true C, but there's few anyway; and maybe the other O'Neil. The Bulls allstars is tough, one of my friends always IMs me everytime I go on AIM n explains why he thinks Deng and Gordon should make it. I agree they're having good seasons, but it's HARD to make the all-star team. Arenas had to be commisioner selected or whatever last year despite avg a TON of points (i think he was selected to replace an injured guy, not sure). I hope to see some Bulls representing, but if not I could care less, I want to see a champsionship run much more...</div>O'Neal and Bosh are both considered forwards, and thus voted in as such. For Arenas it was hard last year because the east was loaded with guards. You cannot say the same for the forward position. The only forwards in the east who have been better than Deng this season have been Lebron, O'Neal, and Bosh. Lebron and O'Neal will likely start. Then there will be either two or three backup forwards. It's a toss up between Deng and Okafor IMO. Deng's chances improved dramatically with the news that Paul Pierce will be out at least another month. Hell even Gordon has a shot now with guards falling like flies in the east. BTW Holyace2k2 you should post in the Bulls fan role call.
With the starters included, here are the players that I see as locks if the voting were done today - G - Wade/Kidd G - Carter/Arenas/Hamilton F - James F - Bosh/J. O'Neal C - S. O'Neal/Howard That leaves only two spots open for reserves, unless Shaq steps down. At this point, Ben Wallace is probably out of consideration with the slow start he got off to. Both Eddy Curry and Emeka Okafor would probably be chosen over him even if Shaq did step down and they needed a backup big man. So that pretty much whittles it down to Ben Gordon or Luol Deng, and each would have to beat out all but one of the following players - Caron Butler, Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, and Antawn Jamison. That's pretty elite company, but given the injury problems that Redd is having, and given the Bulls record, if I had to predict anything, it'd be that one of the Wizards (probably Butler) makes the final cut with either Joe Johnson or Ben Gordon. Luol Deng's a great player, but he just doesn't fill up the stat sheet like Ben Gordon does, and that matters a hell of a lot in All-Star voters' minds. Hell, when was the last time Shane Battier was in the game? As for whether Gordon or Johnson makes it, I'm not really sure at the moment. The Hawks are horrible, but I'm not sure how much of that you can actually blame on Johnson, he's playing some of the best basketball in the NBA at the moment.
<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">With the starters included, here are the players that I see as locks if the voting were done today - G - Wade/Kidd G - Carter/Arenas/Hamilton F - James F - Bosh/J. O'Neal C - S. O'Neal/Howard That leaves only two spots open for reserves, unless Shaq steps down. At this point, Ben Wallace is probably out of consideration with the slow start he got off to. Both Eddy Curry and Emeka Okafor would probably be chosen over him even if Shaq did step down and they needed a backup big man. So that pretty much whittles it down to Ben Gordon or Luol Deng, and each would have to beat out all but one of the following players - Caron Butler, Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, and Antawn Jamison. That's pretty elite company, but given the injury problems that Redd is having, and given the Bulls record, if I had to predict anything, it'd be that one of the Wizards (probably Butler) makes the final cut with either Joe Johnson or Ben Gordon. Luol Deng's a great player, but he just doesn't fill up the stat sheet like Ben Gordon does, and that matters a hell of a lot in All-Star voters' minds. Hell, when was the last time Shane Battier was in the game? As for whether Gordon or Johnson makes it, I'm not really sure at the moment. The Hawks are horrible, but I'm not sure how much of that you can actually blame on Johnson, he's playing some of the best basketball in the NBA at the moment.</div> VD I got a quick question, can Okafor be voted in as a center? If he is considered a forward on the ballot?
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">VD I got a quick question, can Okafor be voted in as a center? If he is considered a forward on the ballot?</div> Do you mean as a replacement starter? I don't know, but as a reserve it doesn't matter, because they don't have position quotas for reserves.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">O'Neal and Bosh are both considered forwards, and thus voted in as such. For Arenas it was hard last year because the east was loaded with guards. You cannot say the same for the forward position. The only forwards in the east who have been better than Deng this season have been Lebron, O'Neal, and Bosh. Lebron and O'Neal will likely start. Then there will be either two or three backup forwards. It's a toss up between Deng and Okafor IMO. Deng's chances improved dramatically with the news that Paul Pierce will be out at least another month. Hell even Gordon has a shot now with guards falling like flies in the east. BTW Holyace2k2 you should post in the Bulls fan role call.</div> Oh okay, I haven't looked at the All-Star Ballot, my bad. So it's actually hard to put my input in, but I would say Okafor deserves the nod over Deng, he's been pretty amazing, bouncing back from a bad season, he has missed games, but the kid deserves it, you really can't go wrong with Deng or Okafor. Can Carter be added as a forward? Prolly guard. In past years there really havent been any big men on the East squad since Walker, bench had maybe one other big guy. Caron Butler, Antwain Jamison should both be in front of Deng. Joe Johnson? Deng over Sheed. I'm just trying to be objective, I love these Bulls.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's a possibly odd scenario: At the Feb. 4 cutoff date, the Bulls either own the best or second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Pistons. Their coach, Flip Saunders, is ineligible to be the All-Star coach because he served in that role last season. Thus, Scott Skiles is coach of the Eastern All-Star team?without any Bulls on it. Could happen. Probably won't. Coaches made their reserve selections Friday?they will be announced Thursday?and the Bulls hope at least Ben Gordon and possibly Luol Deng will be selected.</div> Read more...
I can't agree because fans only vote in the starting five. You can't match the weight of the popular player votes made by free weather fans across the globe. The All-Star game isn't really about how good you've played or anything it is merely a popularity contest and a Saturday evening full of ongoing trash that was old already over a decade ago. Over many years we've seen tons of players worthy of being selected as an All-Star being turned away. Most NBA fans don't notice that.
<div class="quote_poster">SP23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I heard on ESPN Eddie Jordan is most likely to be coaching.</div> I believe it will depend on which team has the better record leading into all star weekend. If the Bulls jump the Wiz in the standings then Skiles will coach.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I believe it will depend on which team has the better record leading into all star weekend. If the Bulls jump the Wiz in the standings then Skiles will coach.</div>That would be correct. I'm hoping we can pull ahead of them by that time, so at the very least, we have our coach there, cause I just have a hunch that no coach is really going to give any Bulls player an All Star vote this year.
