Dec 28th, 2009 | 9:51 pm |
Toronto
By Patrick Fischbach
NBA All Star weekend brings together the upper echelon of basketball talent from around the world into the same place for one event-filled and highly entertaining weekend. The 2010 All Star game may be one of the best and most captivating yet as Dallas and the ever inspiring and creative Mark Cuban serve as the host.
As we gradually approach the deadline for fan voting, it’s certainly not too early to look at who has deserved a rightful spot on this year’s East and West rosters. Obviously, those that should and those that end up on the roster (via fan voting) are always up for a lively debate. Superstars with the biggest brand names (i.e. Yao Ming) secure starting spots without fail often leaving more deserved players of the year on the outside.
For instance, after the second returns came in a few days ago, Tracy McGrady was the third leading guard for the West side despite playing six (6!!!) games. On the other hand, Portland’s Brandon Roy is 10th on the list…no not the total West list, just the guards’ list.
Obviously there is a discrepancy here that neglects numerous deserving players. So, which players are having all-star worthy years? Let’s take a look at the East’s top 12:
- Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat, G): A household name during all star weekend for the last several years, Wade is having his customary MVP-like year as he boasts a tremendous 26-5-6 average (Points-Rebounds-Assists). More importantly, he’s single handedly keeping Miami amongst the middle of the pack in the East.
- Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett grabs Rajon Rondo during a timeout in the fourth quarter of game 6 of their NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinal at the United Center in Chicago on April 30, 2009. The Bulls won 128-127 in triple overtime. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey) Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom
“Bosh has to be frustrated with the Raptor’s play this season and would be hard pressed to think Toronto is going any where any time soon”
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Wow!You make it seem as if the Raptors are 7-20 or something.They are actually playing solid basketball right now and are in 6th seed so you clearly dont know what your talking about.
hngnn: You are correct. Toronto is, and most likely will be in the second tier of talent in the East come playoff time. My comments stem from comparing Bosh’s classmates from the ‘03 draft. James, Wade, and Anthony all have supporting casts that range from above average to strong. Even though they’ll make the playoffs, very hard to see them getting out of the first round.
“James, Wade, and Anthony all have supporting casts that range from above average to strong”
James and Wade don’t have an average/strong supporting cast……are you kidding me?
Without Bosh, James, and Wade which team could win and has the most talent?
Miami? Cleveland? Toronto?…
Depth and talent wise ill say Toronto…
It’s hard to agree with that when Toronto has had their core components the entire year and are only 15-17 currently.
Another way of looking at it is with regards to the affect each star (James, Wade, Bosh, etc…) has had on their respective teams. James is above everyone else, as shown by the play of the Cavs this year (and all of their players) compared too each of the teams you mentioned.
Well, 3 core players and “9″ new guys compare to Cavs and Heat and it takes 5 to make a starting lineup. The raptors are starting to get their chemistry and groove .. but now they need to test against .500 teams
Also would you agree if James or Wade would have a better success if they have the Toronto or Hawks roster instead of their own?
Absolutely, still too early to make long-term judgments about teams like Toronto. Three out of the next four (against @Boston, San Antonio, @Orlando) should provide a decent measuring stick. My one question: are you happy with Turkoglu’s play thus far?
Wade would be about the same he is now if you interchange him with Toronto or Atlanta’s roster. I think Miami and Toronto are on a very similar level as it stands now.
However, James would not be better off with either. The last few weeks, the Cavaliers have developed a tremendous chemistry echoing remnants of last year’s 66-win team. Not a chance LeBron does as well with Atlanta’s or Toronto’s rosters as they are now. Just a matter if they can finish off the playoffs this year…
“Are you happy with Turkoglu’s play thus far?”
In the beginning of the season i would say no, due to the lack of production in points and assist, but now he is starting to know his role as a Point-Forward (similar role during his Orlando days) and he doesn’t need to get a lot of points when Bosh, Bargnani, Jack and Calderon are the offensive weapons.
The only thing that I’m worry is that when Calderon is healthy how would he be implemented because Calderon and Turk have similar skill set.
Whoever wrote the section about Chris Bosh leaving Toronto is a complete fool.
You’ve been utterly ignorant to Bosh’s own words “I love Toronto” – not conventional coming from someone about to leave a city in 8 months.
Truth is: it depends on how this season goes. If Toronto secures a playoff spot and has a core group of guys that Bosh is comfortable playing with (which seems likely at this point) I honestly cannot see him leaving Toronto.
bhattmagandhi: reading what was written, I’m merely suggesting that out of all of those great all-stars from that draft class, Bosh would be the most likely and benefit the most when comparing situations. Not saying he will automatically. LeBron built a mansion in Akron, loves Ohio, and is a loyal guy by nature…doesn’t mean other teams won’t make a move and attract him elsewhere.
Toronto has not shown a lot thus far (15-17) with very few tests against good teams. As I mentioned, the next three of four (against @Boston, San Antonio, @Orlando) will be a good test.
bhattmagandhi, people are entitle to their own opinions…lol
pfishback… if you take Wade, Lebron and Bosh off their respected teams I think you would see that Toronto would be just as good as Cleveland with Miami far behind. The diffference with their teams isn’t that the ’supporting cast’ is subpar, its that Bosh is not on the same lvl as Wade and Lebron.
As for the All-Star list… no Josh Smith? May not start but likely the best PF in the east right now. And its unfortunate to see Mo Williams name on that list again… but I guess there is no other PG to compete with him (as back up to Rondo) in the East right now.
I’d agree 100% that Wade and James are on a higher level than Bosh.
As far as Smith…certainly a tough one to leave off…perhaps could leave one of Boston’s big 3 off and replace with Smith giving Atlanta and Boston three each. As far as regular season goes, these next two games against the Cavs twice should be a great measuring stick and an absolute joy to watch if you love the NBA.
Point guards are hard to come by in the East…hence the Rondo and Williams picks.
DAVID LEE OF COURSE