Amare's All-Star Game

I will probably come off as a huge homer, and probably am a little bit... but did anybody else think Amare had one hell of an All-Star game? One could say, MVP-worthy?

Amare: 29 pts, 9 rebs, 3 asts, 1 stl, 2 blks, 64% shooting, in 21 minutes
Kobe: 31 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asts, 6 stls, 0 blks, 54% shooting, in 28 minutes

I believe Kobe scored a large portion of his points in the 4th quarter, when the game was well out of hand. So it's not like his late flurry of points really made an impact on the outcome, they only padded his stats.

I thought Amare had the MVP won midway through the 4th until Kobe started taking the ball down and putting it up, which put Amare at a disadvantage because he's not a guard, so its not like he could bring the ball up and launch it to pad his own stats; if it weren't for Tony Parker, Amare wouldn't have touched the ball in the 4th. By the end of the game the crowd was chanting "Kobe" which sealed the deal, I knew they'd have to give it to him at that point.

Did Kobe deserve it? Yes, of course I see that. I have no ill-feelings towards Kobe, I have liked Kobe since he was drafted (I wanted the Suns to pick him, but he was picked 2 spots before, so the Suns took Nash), I bought his first 2 styles of shoes, etc, etc. He has never done anything bad to me or my family; this is not Kobe-bashing, I have no reason to dislike him... got it? Good.

I thought some Suns fans may have posted this by now, but nobody has (at least on this board) so I wanted to hear your thoughts.

 

The award usually goes to the highest scorer. The same thing happened with David Lee in the Rookie/Sophomore game.

 

Amare forced up lots of shots, no way he should've gotten MVP.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Amare forced up lots of shots, no way he should've gotten MVP.</div>

Amare shot 64% and Kobe shot 54%!!!!!!

 

<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The award usually goes to the highest scorer</div>
That's only true for 6 of the last 10 All-Star games; if you meant highest scorer for the winning team, then that's true 9 of the last 10 games.

But seriously 31 points compared to 29? That's just 2 points. Considering Kobe played 7 more minutes, threw up 2 more shots, and Kobe had 13 of his points at the end when the game was already decided (garbage time), 2 points is nothing. If anything use the excuse "he had 6 steals", which still wouldn't be that great of an argument because it was an All-Star game, they try too many trick passes and steals are plentiful at All-Star games (27 total). Amare had 2 blocks, which was 1/4 of the total blocks in the game; blocks are more impressive in an All-Star game.

Kobe had 3 more assists, but Amare had 4 more rebounds. I think the stats are a push, the deciding factor for me was that Kobe did his damage after Amare had already led the West to a huge lead... and the fact that Kobe seemed to be gunning for the MVP as he took the inbound pass, dribbled it up and launched it without ever looking to pass it (something Amare couldn't do being a forward).

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Amare forced up lots of shots</div>
You don't have to lie to make friends... just to keep 'em. Kobe had 24 shots (13 of those in the 4th, missing 8 of 'em), Amare had 22... what was your point again? *cough*

 

<div class="quote_poster">scorbutic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
You don't have to lie to make friends... just to keep 'em. Kobe had 24 shots (13 of those in the 4th, missing 8 of 'em), Amare had 22... what was your point again? *cough*</div>

Both ballhogged, tried REALLY hard to get MVP. But, out of the ballhoggers... Kobe wins easily, nice jams and all. Amare just went inside and was jacking up as many shots as he can in the given time. Kobe did just about the same... but had some nice dunks too.
*cough*

 

You can't steal my cough after back-peddling on your previous comment, and you still haven't actually made a good point. You just said Kobe won the MVP because he had some nice dunks... so did Vince Carter, but he didn't win it. We have a Dunk Challenge for the best dunks, the MVP isn't for that.

You'll have to explain how Amare "ball-hogged", just saying it doesn't make it true. I've already shown that Kobe did with his 5 for 13 fourth quarter (see? stats, they're tangible proof). Besides it's hard to say a center is "ball-hogging" because once they get the ball in the low post, they're supposed to dunk it or lay it in, guards on the other hand aren't supposed to run down the court and jack up a 3 with 20 seconds left on the shot clock (Kobe was 3 for 9 from 3PT).

Had Amare made the 3 at the buzzer, he'd have had 32 points, would he have then been MVP?

 

<div class="quote_poster">scorbutic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You can't steal my cough after back-peddling on your previous comment, and you still haven't actually made a good point. You just said Kobe won the MVP because he had some nice dunks... so did Vince Carter, but he didn't win it. We have a Dunk Challenge for the best dunks, the MVP isn't for that.

You'll have to explain how Amare "ball-hogged", just saying it doesn't make it true. I've already shown that Kobe did with his 5 for 13 fourth quarter (see? stats, they're tangible proof). Besides it's hard to say a center is "ball-hogging" because once they get the ball in the low post, they're supposed to dunk it or lay it in, guards on the other hand aren't supposed to run down the court and jack up a 3 with 20 seconds left on the shot clock (Kobe was 3 for 9 from 3PT).

Had Amare made the 3 at the buzzer, he'd have had 32 points, would he have then been MVP?</div>

Oh, yea and you have a really strong point. If steals are that easy to get, how come Amare didn't get a lot? Exactly.. you can't say Kobe got something because its easy. And no way Amare was taking MVP honors even if he had made a 3 pointer. I watch the All-star game to see people to crazy passes, crossovers, dunks. Amare's game was boring, Kobe was one of the few people who made the game worth watching. Amare didn't. Heck, Dwight Howard's game was MUCH better than Amare's and he scored less than Amare.

Whenever Amare got the ball, he shot it. He didn't only dunk it or lay it up, he was shooting the ball like he was a guard or something. I can say he ball-hogged because I watched the game, you on the other hand probably just looking off the stats. When you get the ball, doesn't mean you shoot it... in the all-star game taking over 20 shots is too much with all those superstars on the court. Yea Amare had a better shooting percentage, but Kobe did some nice dunks that excited the crowd.... while Amare didn't do anything of the sort.

Its no use arguing that Kobe ball-hogged because I have already said in like my first post that BOTH ball-hogged and tried hard to get MVP. The only difference was Kobe did what you do at the all-star game (do fancy dunks that get the crowd on their feet), while Amare had layups, close dunks.... not fun to watch.


And what do you mean I back-peddled on my comment? I said Amare forced up a lot of shots - and I'm sticking with what I said.
Leave the back-peddling to Barkley

 

I actually thought Amare was goin to win MVP, because he really helped but the game away in the third. Though, that was until Kobe showed up in the fourth quarter (garbage time like you mention) about half way through or so and put on quite a show. Kobe had the strongest start, good middle part and strongest finish which made quite big impressions. The award doesn't really matter though. What Shape said is what really mattered.

 

I didn't catch the end of the All Star game because I forgot about my assignment which was to be handed in the next day, but when I looked at the boxscores in Monday's paper, the first statline that stood out to me was Amare's. I was quite surprised to hear that Kobe won it. It seemed like Amare had a much better game, but I guess it is true after all that the ASG is a guard's game. Not that the ASG MVP mattered anyways; most players would want to be in Amare's situation than Kobe's.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If steals are that easy to get, how come Amare didn't get a lot?</div>
27 steals vs 8 blocks, that's why I can say steals are easier to come by in an All-Star game. Most of the steals were from sloppy passes, Amare can't help it he was in the post while the ball was deflected to the perimeter. I'm not saying 6 steals isn't worth mentioning, I actually GAVE that argument, but I feel it's a push cause Amare had 2 blocks, it's not 6 blocks, but 25% of the blocks vs Kobe's 22% of the steals are comparable.

I'm not saying Kobe didn't deserve to win the award, his stats were pretty good, but Amare's were just as good (if not better). Like I said originally, I felt the deciding factor was the casual fans, who know 2 players (Kobe & Shaq) who wanted to see the flashy dunks and whatnot, were chanting "Kobe"; while the real deciding factor should have been that Amare led the West to the big lead, Kobe simply put a show on in garbage time. That's like Michael Vick ripping an amazing 99 yard run to the 1 yard line, the next play TJ Duckett runs it in for 1 yard and the score and Duckett gets all the credit.

<div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">taking over 20 shots is too much with all those superstars on the court.</div>
KOBE TOOK 24 SHOTS!! No matter what you say about Amare, it goes for Kobe too, their stats were similar except Amare had a better FG% and in fewer minutes.

<div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I have already said in like my first post that BOTH ball-hogged</div>
No you didn't, you said (and I quote) "Amare forced up lots of shots, no way he should've gotten MVP." You never mentioned Kobe, that's why I said you back-peddled cause after you were told Kobe had more shots and a worse shooting percentage you started changing what you meant and saying it was all about the dunks, blah blah blah.

P.S.>> As for me not watching, I think anybody who has ever read one of my posts knows that I have seen a game or two in my day. I always miss All-Star games with 3 Suns players (1 was injured, but it still counts) and their coaching staff, it's fun for me. If you do find the magic boxscore that provides you with the non-statistical info I have posted, drop me a link, I would honestly be interested.

 

It's just an All-Star game, so I don't really think the award matters. Personally, I was happy that Kobe won it, but I wouldn't have cared if he didn't. You have to remember, the awards are presented only a couple of minutes after the game, so nobody really has time to sit down, analyze and discuss who's going to win the MVP. Kobe Bryant pretty much won the award because of his dunks in the closing minutes of the game IMO.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not saying Kobe didn't deserve to win the award, his stats were pretty good, but Amare's were just as good (if not better). Like I said originally, I felt the deciding factor was the casual fans, who know 2 players (Kobe & Shaq) who wanted to see the flashy dunks and whatnot, were chanting "Kobe"; while the real deciding factor should have been that Amare led the West to the big lead, Kobe simply put a show on in garbage time. That's like Michael Vick ripping an amazing 99 yard run to the 1 yard line, the next play TJ Duckett runs it in for 1 yard and the score and Duckett gets all the credit.</div>
Well, it doesn't really matter, it's just an All-Star game. The score doesn't matter at all. Maybe Kobe Bryant started to get hot after the first half? Who knows. I've watched many Laker games this season, and that's just how Kobe plays. In the first half, he works on setting up his teammates, and he takes over in the second half. Again, I'm not taking anything away from Amare, I felt he had a great game, and I'm not saying he didn't deserve the MVP, but you really can't take anything away from Kobe either (not saying you were)

 

I feel Amare was working too hard to get MVP. I mean play your game and have fun. I remember a time where he took like 4 straight shots in 4 straight possesion. He got me pissed at times though. It was funny when Amare got dunked on by Dwight. Not really dunked on, but Dwight jammed it on him. But Amare got him back with a block.

 

Scorbutic has a really good point. In my mind, they were both good, okay, this time Kobe won but i am sure that Amare will win some All-star MVP's in his career, he is young, very talented and an all-star already.

 

<div class="quote_poster">scorbutic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No you didn't, you said (and I quote) "Amare forced up lots of shots, no way he should've gotten MVP." You never mentioned Kobe, that's why I said you back-peddled cause after you were told Kobe had more shots and a worse shooting percentage you started changing what you meant and saying it was all about the dunks, blah blah blah.</div>
After I was told? You think I'm stupid enough not to no Kobe took the most shots? Thats Kobe for you. Amare on the other hand, you wouldn't expect to be taking 22 shots. Back Peddling means to take back on what you said, Amare forced up 22 shots, and thats the fact. Now Kobe forced up 24 shots too, he's a guard, he's Kobe, he's the league's best player.

ASG is for the fans, Kobe put on a better show than Amare did. Simple - Kobe wins MVP. For a regular game, Amare did good, but All-Star game is all about showing off ... and simply, guards to that best. To put it straight... out of the guards, Kobe and VC (high flyers) do it best.

 

<div class="quote_poster">scorbutic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">27 steals vs 8 blocks, that's why I can say steals are easier to come by in an All-Star game. Most of the steals were from sloppy passes, Amare can't help it he was in the post while the ball was deflected to the perimeter. I'm not saying 6 steals isn't worth mentioning, I actually GAVE that argument, but I feel it's a push cause Amare had 2 blocks, it's not 6 blocks, but 25% of the blocks vs Kobe's 22% of the steals are comparable.

I'm not saying Kobe didn't deserve to win the award, his stats were pretty good, but Amare's were just as good (if not better). Like I said originally, I felt the deciding factor was the casual fans, who know 2 players (Kobe & Shaq) who wanted to see the flashy dunks and whatnot, were chanting "Kobe"; while the real deciding factor should have been that Amare led the West to the big lead, Kobe simply put a show on in garbage time. That's like Michael Vick ripping an amazing 99 yard run to the 1 yard line, the next play TJ Duckett runs it in for 1 yard and the score and Duckett gets all the credit.


KOBE TOOK 24 SHOTS!! No matter what you say about Amare, it goes for Kobe too, their stats were similar except Amare had a better FG% and in fewer minutes.


No you didn't, you said (and I quote) "Amare forced up lots of shots, no way he should've gotten MVP." You never mentioned Kobe, that's why I said you back-peddled cause after you were told Kobe had more shots and a worse shooting percentage you started changing what you meant and saying it was all about the dunks, blah blah blah.

P.S.>> As for me not watching, I think anybody who has ever read one of my posts knows that I have seen a game or two in my day. I always miss All-Star games with 3 Suns players (1 was injured, but it still counts) and their coaching staff, it's fun for me. If you do find the magic boxscore that provides you with the non-statistical info I have posted, drop me a link, I would honestly be interested.</div>

OWNED!!!