Yeah, I forgot about Defense, but really. When has that been a legit factor in making the all star game? I think if CJ matches or has a better PPG he makes it and Klay is out. regardless of D.
Sorry, wish it would be true, but Klay has a ring, a couple of All-Star appearances, a 3 pt. contest title, plays in a bigger market and for a team likely to win the title. If their stats are at all close, he gets the All-Star bid over CJ.
Don't be sorry at all dude. you bring up great points. Im just all homered out at the moment I think. Its hard to not expect improvement from the bulk of the roster because of last year's success, Dame as our leader, and being one of the youngest teams in the league. Honestly, I am probably up for a decent let down this upcoming years I am sooo pumped.
I think CJ is going to play all-star worthy basketball this year. Whether he gets selected to the all-star team is another story. The league is stacked with elite guards and it's likely after wade, thompson, Harden, there isn't a lot of room left, especially when you take into count they don't pick a certain number of players from each position, but rather go by talent, and might pick some pgs to fill in the empty 2 guard spots
Yi won't make it. Even with the massive online Chinese voting contingent, he didn't come close to making it the last time he played in the NBA. He'll be a shit player on a shit team. He won't get any votes outside of China and most Chinese people are intelligent enough to realize that Yi undeservedly making an all star team is an embarrassment. Yao Ming was a totally different story. He was actually good enough, when healthy, to deserve being an all star. The Chinese fans took great pride, rightly so, in Yao being an all star. And even though Kobe was voted in as a forward, he still took up a roster spot - undeservedly so. There are only 12 roster spots and the coaches are not bound to vote by position. They can pick 7 guards (or 0), if they choose. Kobe taking that roster spot last year was the main reason Dame did not make the all star team. If there would have been another spot available, it would have gone to Dame. BTW, I'm not saying any of that means C.J. will, or won't, make the all star team. It depends on how he's playing (obviously) and the team's record (also obvious), but also on injures and who is having a down year. He's a long shot. With only 12 roster spots available, you better be averaging over 20 ppg on a team with the 2nd or 3rd best record in the conference if you hope to make the all star game with one of your teammates. The West is so deep at the guard positions, especially PG, there will be some very deserving players "snubbed" this year, just as Dame was last year. In the end, I'd be much happier seeing C.J. make 3rd team All NBA, than the all star game. It means more, and it also recognizes that you played well all season, and didn't just have a hot first half. The all star game is a freak show and while it means something to the players to be selected, having that time off to rest isn't a bad thing. Remember how we blew the Warriors out by 32 points after the all star game last season? When all is said and done, I'll gladly take one more win, which could be the difference between HCA, or not, in the West, over two all stars. BNM
CJ won't make it & neither will Dame, Yi picks up the Kobe votes from here on out & perennially cockblocks (so to speak) our guys.
I agree. If CJ averages 21-22 ppg and Klay averages 12-14 ppg, both of which is quite possible, CJ is in.
Is there any way we can stuff the internet ballots when the voting starts? I'd be willing to donate some time. Make coffee while we take over a few network servers in a Fight Club style dare....
Yes, but he isn't in podunk Milwaukee this time, he's in LA. Probably the most popular team in China. Yi in LA, Lin in BK (NY). Silver's gonna have to channel his inner David Stern and change those votes again.