Does Rashard Lewis Deserve An All-Star Spot?

He has had a great season

20.6 points per game
5.5 rebounds per game
46% shooting
40% from three
1.19 steal per game

His rebounding is not great but is having a career year scoring and shooting a much better % from the field and from the three-point line while helping the Sonics to a 33-13 record. Would you consider It a snub If Shard doesn't make it? surely the Sonics deserve two all-stars?

 

As much as I hate to say it, I'd have to say 'No'.

I think Shawn Marion and Ginobli probably are more deserving than Rashard.

Marion's stats are better than Rashards, although he has the benefit of playing with Nash, and his defense is better.

Ginobli's stats aren't impressive but the Phoenix game solidified him as a prime time player in my eyes.

Rashard said in this weekend's paper that he wouldn't be upset if guys more deserving made it ahead of him - I think had these 2 guys in mind.

 

No.

 

Good question Roland. It really wouldnt be a snub I dont think but Rashard defiently has an argument and a very compelling one. I am under the personal belief that Rashard deserves it more then Ginobli because of his more consistent allstar presense. Yes Ginobli has proven to be an awesome player but hasnt Rashard also proven to be a primetime player (ie big shot against the Kings). Then of course their is Shawn Marion which I think again he has a very good argument. Does Phoenix deserve 3 allstars more then Seattle deserves 2? Well Phoenix and Seattle are very close teams so you would think no but then again they dont have the quantity of talent we have so maybe they do....I dunno it will be close but im cheerin for him to get it.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">No. He has had a great year but Matrix deserves it. If not Shawn, Ginobili...Rashard will get his though, next year.</div>


I dont understand why there is this urge for everyone to vote Gibobili over Rashard. His numbers arent near Rashards...Marion has a good argument but I just dont see why Gibobli deserves it more.

 

As good as Lewis is I am going to have to say no. There are plenty of seasons left in Rashard Lewis' career to be an all-star. Im not saying that he is not a valuable player i am just saying that he needs a year or two to become all-star material. Work on the rebounds a bit Rashard. Gibobili is overrated.

 

I'm for naming Shard to the All-Star team. Although the Suns are playing great, and Marion is the most underrated player IMO in the league, Lewis is having a great season and helping lead his team to the third best record in the West. All this with a team that really no one expected to be up there. He is having a career year, and the Sonics do deserve to have 2 players represent them in the ASG.

 

Ginobili's going to keep him out? No. More like Shawn, Dirk, Amare, Elton, or Chris.

 

As far as reserves go (assuming Nash replaces the injured Bryant... although I haven't heard an update on that in a while), I think that they should be Ray Allen, Chris Webber, Amare Stoudamire, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and either Elton Brand or Brad Miller. Does each team have to have two reserve guards? The West would just be better off with only one.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">Ginobili's going to keep him out? No. More like Shawn, Dirk, Amare, Elton, or Chris.</div>

I can't see Rashard arguing with these guys either. Webber - maybe - although despite my dislike for him I have to admit his stats are amazing considering he's only got one good wheel and can barely jump anymore.

E. Brand's been bypassed year after year because of crappy Clipper teams.

Dirk and Amare are locks.

 

Casual is spot on, the thing that will stop Rashard is the quality of forwards in the West.

Ginobili? Don't make me laugh, he is a fantastic player, but if 48 in a game made him a great player, what about Rashard's 50 last season? Manu is probably my favourite opposition player, but his season averages sit around 16/4/4, which tells me he hasn't been as consistently good as Rashard.

 

I'm kind of torn on this.

I'm going to say, "Yes" he deserves the bid, only b/c he deserves to be rewarded for his steady play earlier in the year and the fact that the Sonics lead the Northwest division. This is an honor for the entire first half of the year and up until the past couple of weeks Shard was arguably our best player.

One thing that is funny about balloting is that it seems that everyone only remembers what's happen recently. Shard's stock has dropped since he's been injured and his play has become a bit sporadic. The fact that he played so poorly against San Antonio in Ray's absence speaks volumes about his ability to be that focal guy. However, not every All-Star is a go to player and when it comes to being a complimentary player, I can't name too many better than Shard.

My Western Conference All Star reserves are Nash, Allen, Dirk, Webber, Stoudamire, Marion, and Lewis. You can make the arguments for Gasol, Ginobli, and Brand but the bottom line is that Lewis' team is surprisingly in first place and he's putting up better numbers than Ginobli.

 

I have got to say one thing though. Even though I don't expect Rashard to be named as a reserve tomorrow, it's a testament to his improvement this season that this question is even being asked in February.

 

Manu has a good case of making the ASG even though he is only averaging 16, 4 and 4. Could be alot more If he was in a different system. It's his impact on games is the reason he has been considered. That said Manu making It will have no baring on Rashard getting in. Manu is a guard while Shard is a forward. They normally go for 3 guards and 5 forwards.

Sonics being in 1st place in their division should be a factor when the coaches decide him getting in there.

 

Personally I think the three guards will be Nash, Ray and Ginobili/Bibby. Amare will be a centre, whilst Dirk and Marion will be selected as forwards. This means Rashard will be fighting with Webber and Brand for that final spot, as I would say AK has missed too many games and it's not like Ray last season where there wasn't another deserving candidate.

Unless they select Brad Miller and choose Amare as a forward.

 

Congrats to Rashard Lewis, he made the all-star team. Joining team-mate Ray Allen.

 

That's great news. I thought for sure he'd be left off.

I hope it launches his mindset so he takes his game to the next level i.e, he needs to rebound better and for me I think the main thing is to be able to respond when he gets physically challenged by guys like Bowen, Harpring, AK, Kenny Thomas et al.

I think he's done a better job this year but Nate and Ray shouldn't have had to call him on his cell after the SA game to tell him he needs to step up.

Anyway Congrats to Rashard, can't deny he's taken his game up a notch this year.

re: the overall selections, Francis being left off was suprising. Nice to see Arenas/Jamison make it. I think E. Brand should've been on the team.

 

Congratulations are in order for Shard. He's been rewarded for his improved play and our improved record and I'm glad that the coaches decided to vote him in.

Looking at the list in the West only Chris Webber seems to be slighted. I would have selected him over Ginobli but I guess they wanted to not have a forward heavy bench for the west. In the East Francis was obviously snubbed but considering that he made the team in the West a couple of times just off of fan votes and not off of merit I think that it has evened out accordingly.

Ben Wallace doesn't deserve to be on the roster but other than that I think that the other All-Star reserves deserve their spot.

 

Ben Wallace doesn't deserve to be there? He is the key behind the Pistons defense and the guy that makes things happen. He still remains one of the best defenders in the NBA, 2nd in rebounding and 3rd in blocks shots. He is just as deserving as anyone in the eastern conference. You only need to look at the Pistons record without him.

Anyway back to Shard.