NBA ALL STAR GAME 2009 - PHOENIX

ALL STAR TEAMS ANNOUNCED!!!

After the starters were announced a couple of weeks ago the coaches have decided on the final make-up of the two teams who will heat things up in the Valley of the Sun. As there is everywhere, there are a few suprises. Only 1 team has 3 players making the roster, wihle 5 teams have 2 players. There are 3 players making their first appearance at an all-star game. Some may suprise. Lets Take a look at the two teams. WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

STARTERS

Chris Paul, PG (Hornets) 21.1 PPG, 11.1 APG, 2.8 SPG, 5.4 RPG

Thoroughly deserved. If McGrady had of been voted in ahead of CP3 this game would have been laughable. At age 23, this kid could be the greatest Point Guard in NBA history when his career finally closes.

Kobe Bryant, SG (L.A Lakers) 26.6 PPG, 5.2 APG, 5.6 RPG How could you not invite the man? Arguably, still improving there is no one more skilled in the game than Kobe. Like Jordan he sets the tone for the All-star game while on the floor.

Amare Stoudamire, PF (Phx Suns) 21.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG

STAT is still talented but perhaps not standing so tall. If not for the fans' vote he may not have even been part of the weekend's festivities. Good luck guarding LeBron for the first 6 minutes.

Tim Duncan, PF (S.A Spurs) 20.6 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.9 BPG.

The fundamentalist throughly deserves his starters role. Keeping the Spurs in contention while Parker and Ginobli both recovered from injuries.

Yao Ming, C (Houston Rockets) 19.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG

I dont think he's anything special to watch in an all-star game, but he deserves to be here. He has kept the Rockets around the 5-6 spot in West with both Artest and McGrady out of action.

RESERVES

Shaquille O'neal, C (PHX Suns) 18.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG

Now a 15 time all star- 2nd only to the goggled one, Shaq has had a great season. Probably his best since helping the Heat win it at all back in 05-06. Probably deserves to be there even more than his frontcourt team-mate

Pau Gasol, PF (LA Lakers) 17.3 PPG, 9 RPG, .9 BPG

Has he really been that good? Bah - i'd rather see LeMarcus Aldridge from the Blazers. Or even Jason Terry. But he is on a strong Laker team and has been the so called difference maker

Dirk Nowitzki, PF (Mavericks) 25.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, .8 BPG

Having a great season Dirk cant play pretty all-star ball but he thoroughly deserves his selection

Chauncey Billups, PG (Denver Nuggets) 18.8 PPG, 6.5 APG, 1.5 SPG

The team is 2nd and the West and Billups has been instrumental. I'd still rather see Jason Kidd in an all-star game than Billups.

Tony Parker, PG (S.A Spurs) 20.4 PPG, 6.6 APG, .9 SPG

Yeah! Due to an overload of Western Conference point guard talent he has missed out for 2 straight years. Welcome back Tony! Brandon Roy, SG (Portland) 22.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, .356 3P%

He is the man in Portland. This 3 year man is a great leader and will has the ball in his hands down the stretch either getting to the line, scoring or making the right pass.

David West, PF (N.O Hornets) 20.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1 BPG

Maybe not as deserving as a year ago, but still a solid season by West. I think there a

EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

STARTERS

Allen Iverson, SG (Detroit Pistons) 17.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, . Can you believe HE is the Piston chosen to the team? Yikes! Dwayne Wade, SG (Miami Heat) 28.5 PPG, 7.2 APG,

What a season, what a player. Love it. A true superstar of the game is back. Leading the league in scoring, he is why the Heat are as good as they are this year.

LeBron James, SF (Cleveland Cavs) 27.9 PPG, 7 APG, 7.9 RPG

Look at those numbers. Enough said.

Kevin Garnett, PF (Boston Celtics) 16.2 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.2 BPG

Not having a great season but the mystique that surrounds garnett is irrestible

Dwight Howard, C (Magic) 20 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 3.2 BPG

SU PER MANNN !!!!! His place as a superstar of the league was cemented by the fans. This year he polled more votes than anyone in the history of the All-Star Weekend. He's leading the league in both rebounds and blocks.

RESERVES

Devin Harris, PG (NJ Nets) 21.6 PPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG

hould be starting. Thank god the coaches selected him. Should see a lot of minutes going against CP3

Danny Granger, SF (Ind. Pacers) 25.8 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.4 APG

Yeah he is having a breakout season. He is the future 6th man for years to come. He's 4th in the league in scoring average.

Jameer Neelson, PG (Orl Magic) 16.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.2 SPG

Having a solid season for the Magic but all-star worthy?

Chris Bosh, PF (Toronto Raptors) 23.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG, .9 BPG

Chris Bosh is awesome. He can play. Wait til 2010 when he teams with Lebron in New York

Joe Johnson, SG (Atl. Hawks) 21.4 PPG, 6.2 APG, .336 3P%

The Armadillo Cowboy has a shimmy shake that's oh so pretty. Good selection.

A great combo guard who can score and distribute.

Rashard Lewis, PF (Orlando Magic) 19.3 PPG, 6 RPG, .6 BPG

What about David Lee, Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Andrew Bogut (haha) Mo Williams, Igoudala, Antawn Jamison?? ANYONE!!!!! Not happy at all with this.

Paul Pierce, SF (Boston Celtics) 18.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.8 APG

Like KG he has dropped off. Garnett voted in by the fans. But Allen has had a better season than Pierce.

BIGGEST SNUBS

Carmelo Anthony, Antawn Jamison, Kevin Martin, Al Jefferson, Ray Allen, Rajan Rondo (probably the best Celtic player this year), LeMarcus Aldridge, Deron Williams, Nene, Kevin Durant, Jason Terry

MOST LAUGHABLE PICKS

Allen Iverson , Allen Iverson and Allen Iverson. No No No - he deserves to be there - His first all-star game was in 2000. And he had been brilliant long before that selection. I say he should play in 2 more - even if he's retired to balance things out.