I was questioning whether or not Paul Pierce actually deserves an allstar nod this season. His Celtics continue their struggles, his dominance amongst the league has fallen off since Walker's departure, and younger guards have emerged in The Eastern Conference. The Reserves will contain 1 Center, 2 Fowards, 2 Guards, and 2 Wildcard Picks which aren't limited to postion. So lets assume 1 of the wildcard selections will infact be a guard, making 3 more Eastern Conference Guards available for The ALL-STAR Team. So given that information, Here's a quick graphic... The other 3 aforementioned guards all boast better team records, better assists numbers, and pretty equal points per game and rebounding per game averages (With the exception of Arenas; although Arenas leads the four in Scoring). So with pretty equal numbers, I believe the decision will fall into the hands of the coaches who will decide based upon memorable performances, team records, and reputation. It's very possible these 3 guards could slide into the only available spots on The Eastern Conference ALL-STAR team, and Pierce could simply be watching from the stands... Other worthy selections would be Jason Kidd, for the simple fact he's a constant allstar performer, deserving every season. He's struggled with injury, but has performed regardless, helping his team in every aspect of the game. Kidd currently ranks 6th in the NBA in Assists Per Game, leads all Point Guards in Rebounds Per Game at 6.8, and his team is 8-3 over their last 11 games in which Kidd has appeared to return to his regular form and he and New Jersey continue to rally without Richard Jefferson. Don't forget about his contributions that don't show up in the boxscore. Kidd always ranks amongst the elite point guards defensively, he's also the best floor general in the NBA, he's perhaps the best fast break point guard in the league, and just remember the coaches make the final call, Kidd's reputation is flawless and he's held in high regard around the league, certainly more so than Pierce. Than there's Stephon Marbury, New York's finest. Although his team is also struggling, Starbury continues to boast his 20 Point and 8 Assist average that only he and The Big O, Oscar Robinson, posted during their career's. Marbury's 20.7 PPG, 3 RPG, 8.2 APG along with his 1.43 SPG and remarkable 47% Field Goal percentage certainly makes him a worthy selection any season. Just ask Marbury, he'll tell you how he's the best Point Guard in the league if infact you need reminding. "If it's raining outside, I don't have to go and tell you it's raining..."
You can take Kidd out of the list of worthy candidates, IMO. The coaches aren't going to vote him on, given his injury history during the first part of the season. He's missed over a full month of time and in a vote that will be this tight, he's not going to make it, IMO. As far as comparison's go: Francis: PP averages over a half point(22.3 vs 21.7), half rebound(6.9 vs 6.3) and half stl (1.69 vs 1.29) more a game than Francis does. Yes Francis has 2.7 more assisists, but that's a natural part of Orlando's offense for him to be part of the distribution. PP also shoots a better FG% and plays less time. Wade: He's a little tougher to argue PP's inclusion. PP's got him in rbs, stls, FG & FT% and in less time played. The rest Wade's got the edge. Arenas: PP's only solid category lead in Rebounds is essentially cancelled out by the Assts discrepancy. This will be a close vote IMO, with anyone left out having a legit gripe. While PP making it would be good for him, from a mental standpoint, from a physical standpoint, I think he'd be better off not making it. He always seems to hit a wall near the end of the season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">You can take Kidd out of the list of worthy candidates, IMO. The coaches aren't going to vote him on, given his injury history during the first part of the season. He's missed over a full month of time and in a vote that will be this tight, he's not going to make it, IMO.</div> Jason Kidd has impressed in his limited time back though, take last night for instance, triple double again. He's missed over a full month, yet boasts three-triple doubles, good for 2nd in the league. He's a class act, he's a bonafide allstar, coaches respect his game and simply respect Jason as a person. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see Jason Kidd in Denver. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Francis: PP averages over a half point(22.3 vs 21.7), half rebound(6.9 vs 6.3) and half stl (1.69 vs 1.29) more a game than Francis does. Yes Francis has 2.7 more assisists, but that's a natural part of Orlando's offense for him to be part of the distribution. PP also shoots a better FG% and plays less time.</div> Francis averages 2.7 More Assists than Paul Pierce, The Magic boast the better record, and his season has been more magnified do to the blockbuster trade during the offseason for Tracy McGrady. People, and coaches, were looking to see how Francis would respond to the shakeup, and he continues to post allstar type numbers and IMO deserves to be there. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wade: He's a little tougher to argue PP's inclusion. PP's got him in rbs, stls, FG & FT% and in less time played. The rest Wade's got the edge.</div> Wade's going to be there, he's impressed EVERYONE! He's among the top 3-5 Guards in the entire NBA in my opinion. Coaches have expressed nothing but open mouth awe to this guys game, without a doubt he'll be granted a selection. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Arenas: PP's only solid category lead in Rebounds is essentially cancelled out by the Assts discrepancy.</div> Not to mention Arenas is averaging 24.7 PPG, including a 43 Point Performance last night against The Pacers. Gilbert's Washington Wizard's are also the surprise team in The Eastern Conference, coaches have taken notice, trust me... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This will be a close vote IMO, with anyone left out having a legit gripe. While PP making it would be good for him, from a mental standpoint, from a physical standpoint, I think he'd be better off not making it. He always seems to hit a wall near the end of the season.</div> I think Paul has a very good chance to be selected, his superstar status will likely grant him the trip to Denver. Do I think he deserves it? No. The three aforementioned guards in the graphic are more deserving. In my opinion if Paul Pierce is a possible selection, than JKidd and Starbury should be heading to Denver right alongside him...
Well, he's in. I think he was aided by the fact that most people consider him a forward around the NBA, which he's been playing since Tony Allen entered the lineup. I don't think Paul should be going to Denver because, bottom line, he didn't play well the first 2 months of the season. He's come around the last few weeks, and its no coincidence that the team has responded in turn. However, I just think its too little too late. You can throw whatever statistics you want out there, I just used my eyes and I didn't see an all-star.
I think the only argument was with Francis, Wade was already in, their's no need for a comparison there, and Arenas should be an automatic in like Wade, but the Wizards aren't that popular, but the coaches did their thing. It really can down to a battle between Pierce, Ilguaskas and Francis for the 2 "other" spots. Arenas and Wade's teams are both doing better, and they're are both putting up impressive numbers. Good stuff for Pierce, but Francis making it over him could be argued, I think he should've, but they needed a SG I guess since the other 2 are PG's or PG/SG's.
Notice the 2 people I argued most against, Kidd and Francis, didn't make it. Francis' problem is in part due to the fact that he went to a situation where he's expected to put up #'s, as the focal point of the best fast break offense in the league. He went from a half court offense and having to share the ball with Yao as the 1st option, to an uptempo offense and being the first option. Doing his thing and getting his teammates involved in the process is now close to his order of the day. He actually went to a better system for the type of game he plays. PP went the opposite direction. He had to adjust to a much greater inclusion and reliance on his teammates. Less scoring and more of the "little stuff" being the biggest order of the day. That's why I think that PP's numbers are more impressive than Francis' are. Regardless though, Francis does have a good arguement. What he's helped to bring around in Orlando has been impressive.
UNtill this past month I wouldve said no way does paul pierce deserfve to be all star but hes forcefully earned his spot with his sparkling play ovrer the last month
