NBA Announces 3-Point Shooutout Participants

Looks like the All-Star weekend festivities will include a little more home town flavor, even if it's via one of the Los Angeles Lakers biggest rivals. Today the contestants for the Foot Locker 3-Point Contest were announced and will include Inglewood's own Paul Pierce, returning to defend his title from last season. Joining Pierce will be his All-Star Celtics teammate Ray Allen (soon to be the all-time leader in career threes made), Kevin Durant, sharp shooter Daniel Gibson (-__-) the Heat's James Jones and Dorell Wright from the Warriors (who leads the NBA is threes made this season and is also from Los Angeles).

My favorite to win would be Allen who has one of the smoothest and most textbook jump shots in the history of the game. He also took home the title back in 2001. And although the Cavs have been on the wrong side of the winning column more times than not this season you can't sleep on Gibson. The kid can flat out shoot the rock and it would be nice to see a Cavs player win at something.

The 3-point contest will be held on Saturday Feb. 19th at Staples Center. I think tickets are still available if you've got a spare $500+ to shell out for a seat.

-ALR

2011 NBA All-Star Reserves Announced

Everyone has their opinions on which players are deserving to make the all-star roster (see here and here for my predictions) and every year a case can be made for some players getting the dreaded "snub". The 2010-2011 edition is no different. Earlier today the reserves for the East and West NBA All-Star teams were officially announced by the NBA on TNT. Here are the selections:

Eastern Conference

Kevin Garnett Celtics C
Paul Pierce Celtics SF
Rajon Rando Celtics PG
Ray Allen Celtics SG
Al Horford Hawks C
Joe Johnson Hawks SG
Chris Bosh Heat PF

Western Conference

Manu Ginobili Spurs SG
Tim Duncan Spurs C
Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks PF
Pau Gasol Lakers PF
Deron Williams Jazz PG
Russell Westbrook Thunder PG
Blake Griffin Clippers PF

While almost all players selected were deserving in their own right there are a few glaring omissions that should be pointed out, more so on the West squad than the East. Take for instance Kevin Love, who is averaging over 21 points and close to 15 rebounds but plays for the lowly Timberwolves. You can also make a strong case for Monta Ellis or Eric Gordon who are both averaging over 24 points a game and among the leaders in scoring but don't get nearly the attention from mainstream media they deserve. The same can be said for LaMarcus Aldridge, putting up 21 and 10 a night for the 8th seeded Trailblazers. I can't think of anyone in the East who got a serious snub, except maybe adding Raymond Felton. I just can't come up with a strong enough case to give him a spot over anyone else on the East's roster.

The question is, who would you leave off? My first choice would be Tim Duncan, who clearly got the nod due to team success and his overall popularity and respect from the coaches around the Western Conference. Duncan is averaging career lows in virtually every offensive category and is now the third option on for his team. But the Spurs do have the NBA's best record. Substituting Duncan with Kevin Love would have made sense as Love should be awarded for the great first half he is enjoying. West vote in center Yao Ming will be out, so Love still has a shot at an all-star berth.

They say it's impossible to please everyone. That statement definitely holds true when it comes to all-star spots. Congrats go out to all who made it. You're most likely still going to tune in, if for nothing more than the opportunity to see Blake Griffin smash on Kevin Garnett in Staples.

-ALR

LTSBlog's NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Reserves

Continuing with a post yesterday where LTSBlog gave you our picks for players from the Western Conference most deserving to be All-Star reserves (see here), as promised here are the players who I think should be representing the Eastern Conference's squad out in sunny Los Angeles. We will stick to the same theme and criteria with my selections; statistics, team success, consistency and overall excitement level ((two guards, two forwards, one center and two more of any position):

East Reserves
Rajon Rondo, Celtics - 10.4 ppg, 12.6 apg, 2.4 spg
I'm not a huge advocate of "reward the best team with all-stars" because the game is virtually an exhibition. But who better to run the break than the league leader in assists? Rondo may be barely putting up double digits in scoring, but in contrast he has the highest assists per game average since John Stockton in 91-92. That's over 18 years. That's impressive. Rondo also leads the NBA in steals. Go ahead and book that man a ticket to Los Angeles.

Ray Allen, Celtics - 17.2 ppg, 3.1 apg, .454 3pt
Ray Allen has been the model of consistency for the Celtics, who have the East's best record. He's averaged 17+ points every month so far while shooting lights out (50% from the floor, 45% from three and 85% FT). Despite being 35 years of age, Jesus Shuttlesworth definitely still has game (too easy).

Paul Pierce, Celtics - 19.2 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.2 apg
Yes, another player from the Celtics. Hate it or love it, you have to give credit when it's due and the Celtics are playing unbelievable basketball. Pierce leads his team in scoring and is the go-to player in crunch time, even with fellow future HOFers Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett on the floor. Pierce has earned a spot on the all-star team just as much as any of the starters.

Chris Bosh, Heat - 18.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.8 apg
As much heat as Chris Bosh has taken this season for his comments and his reputation of being a "soft" player, he has still put up solid numbers to compliment superstars D. Wade and #6. Also with the front court play in the East lacking he makes this team by default. Just a word of advice for all in Miami Heat; less talk, more production. We know you're good players.

Al Horford, Hawks - 16.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg, .570 fg
Horford doesn't recquire the spotlight. He quietly goes about his business day in and day out, and he also may be the most important piece to the Hawks success. Horford is 5th in the NBA in field goal percentage and despite being labeled as an "undersized" center he holds his own in the post.

Raymond Felton, Knicks - 17.2 ppg, 8.9 apg, 1.9 stls
Besides Derrick Rose and Rondo, no other PG in the East has played as well as Felton throughout the first half of the season. You can argue that Felton's grasp of D'Antoni's offense has been just as key to the Knicks success as teammate Amare Stoudemire. As a testament to how Felton has been, he is averaging career highs in virtually every offensive category and is also second in the East in steals behind Rondo. He deserves to be on the all-star squad.

Danny Granger, Pacers - 21 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.8 apg
Granger is having a bit of a down season by his standards, but he is still putting together a nice 2010-2011 campaign. Although his shooting numbers aren't where we are accustomed to seeing them, Granger is still fully capable of dropping 30 on any given night.

You may notice that the East's squad is lacking in height, but the selections are not made with the premise of match ups with the West. It's about selecting the players that are most deserving of representing their conference. But if I were a betting man my money is on the West in a landslide. Plus I live out in Los Angeles so yes, west coast all day.

-ALR

LTSBlog's NBA All-Star Western Conference Reserves

Now that the starters for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game have been announced (see here) there will be debates aplenty regarding which players are deserving of a spot on the East/West bench. Some will base their arguments strictly on statistics. Some will site team success as a viable reason to be named an all-star, while others will use pure player popularity as their deciding factor (Yao Ming is a great example of this). I prefer to base my all-star reserve picks on a combination of factors: statistics, team success, consistency and overall excitement level. We can't forget that the all-star game IS generally an exhibition, unlike in the MLB where the winner dictates World Series home field advantage (which is plain idiotic). So here are my pick for the West squad's reserves (two guards, two forwards, one center and two more of any position):

West Reserves
Russell Westbrook, Thunder - 22.6 ppg, 8.5 apg, 5 rpg
In just his third season Westbrook is establishing himself as one of the most exciting guards in the NBA. He's lightning quick, plays defense, hits the glass and dishes the rock. He's also extremely durable, having yet to miss a game in his NBA career. Westbrook is as much a reason for the Thunder's success as Kevin Durant.

Manu Ginobili, Spurs - 18.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.8 rpg
Believe it or not, but Manu has been the best player on the top team of the first half. Ginobili leads the Spurs in scoring, has been equally effective both at home and on the road and has hit a number of big shots. Sounds like a strong application for an all-star candidate to me.

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks - 23 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.5 apg
Even though Dirk's rebounding numbers have slipped he has still played at a high level the entire first half. He has been slowed by injuries in January but Nowitzki is still one of the top shooting big men in NBA history. Need proof? 52% overall, 40% from the three point line and 87% from the charity stripe = All-Star.

Blake Griffin, Clippers - 22.6 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 3.5 apg
Yes, the Clippers still have a losing record. But if it weren't for Blake Griffin, would you even check their box scores or search youtube for anything involving the Clips? I didn't think so. Griffin leads all rookies in scoring and rebounding and is a triple double waiting to happen. And he'll put your favorite player on a poster. 'Nuff said.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers - 21 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Aldridge should get the nod here strictly on the fact that he has avoided the knee epidemic that has plagued the Blazers. With Portland's star Brandon Roy on the mend Aldridge has been HMIC (head man in charge), upping his scoring to 25 per in January and keeping Portland in the 8th seed. I have him down as the impromptu backup center.

Deron Williams, Jazz - 22 ppg, 9.4 apg, 3.7 rpg
Williams gets my vote as the NBA's top PG right now, but that will be debatable for many years to come. D. Will is also having his best season as a pro, scoring at a career high clip while still finding his teammates to the tune of 9+ assists a night. He also has an overachieving Utah squad in the middle of the playoff hunt, which is quite an accomplishment in itself (see here for details).

Eric Gordon, Clippers - 24.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 3 rpg
Before going down with a wrist and finger injury Eric Gordon was putting together an excellent season. He's provided the upstart Clippers with a dependable scoring threat from the perimeter to compliment Blake Griffin's post presence. Gordon is probably out until after the break but his great season should be acknowledged nonetheless.

Kevin Love, Timberwolves - 21.6 ppg, 15.6 rpg, .445% 3pt (injury fill-in)
Have to give Kevin Love his shine for the "Numb#rs" he's put up in the first half, which includes a 30-30 game along with six other 20-20 performances. Love is a throwback rebounding machine. And he can and will knock down the jumper, as his 44% shooting clip from 3-point range confirms. With vote-in starter Yao Ming injured that should open a spot for Love as either Dirk, Blake or Aldridge can move into the starting lineup.

That's how my reserves for the West shape up. A case could be made for a few other players having great seasons (Kevin Martin, Rudy Gay and Monta Ellis come to mind) but there just isn't enough room on the roster to accommodate everyone. Any counter arguments? Leave a comment or find me on twitter (@A_RamseyLTSB). I'll have my picks for Eastern Conference reserves tomorrow.

-ALR

Video: Kevin Love's "Numb#rs" All-Star Campaign Commercial

Juudging strictly off oftatistics, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love is having an all-star caliber season. He's contributing 21.6 ppg, a league leading 15.7 rpg (which is amazing) and also knocking down three pointers at a .447 clip (63-141). So to help Love's all-star campaigning, the Timberwolves released this video (you can also check out the full campaign at 612allstar.com/):



Very well done. The mascot toasting was PRICELESS. But here is my counter argument for Love to not be an all-star; his game is not attractive. The NBA all-star game is more of an exhibition than an actual basketball game. Love's main competition for an all-star berth would be Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol. While Love's "numbers" are slightly favorable over Griffin's 22.6 ppg and 12.8 rpg, the sheer excitement Griffin's style of play generates is far superior. Maybe with vote-in center Yao Ming out due to injury both with have a shot at an all-star berth.

And honestly would you rather see Griffin catching an alley-oop on the break from Chris Paul or Love tipping a rebound to himself then throwing a pin point over-the-head outlet pass? My point exactly.

s/o to Miss Stiletto Jill's spot for the link.

-ALR

Update: DeMar DeRozan To Replace Brandon Jennings In Dunk Contest

Per this report from nba.com's "Hangtime" blog, Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings will not be participating in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest that will be held all-star weekend in his hometown of Los Angeles. Jennings will be replaced in the contest by Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, who is also a native of Compton, CA and participated in last year's event finishing second to Nate Robinson (DeRozan got robbed in my opinion).

So as of right now the competition will include DeRozan, Serge Ibaka, JaVale McGee and everyone's favorite, the beast that is known as Blake Griffin. This may be the first time in recent memory that we have had a dunk contest that won't include a guard or "little guy", with all of the contestants being at least 6'6 and up (DeRozan is listed at 6'7).

If anything I'm glad the NBA chose a fellow southern California resident to replace Jennings, with both young stars hailing from Compton. DeRozan won the McDonald's Slam Dunk Contest after his senior year in HS before spending a year at USC and declaring for the 2009 NBA draft. So far this season DeRozan is averaging 15 ppg and 3.4 rpg.

Will this year be as much of a snoozer as last year's contest? Unless Blake Griffin jumps from the 3-point line and simultaneously does a 360 it just may be. But least all hope for the best.

(ed. note: click the links for highlights and dunk videos)

-ALR

Blake Griffin And Brandon Jennings Among Dunk Contest Participants

The Sprite Slam Dunk contest will be super-sized this season. According to sources, the participants for the 2011 edition of the slam dunk competition that will be held at Staples Center in Los Angeles will include Blake Griffin, Brandon Jennings, Serge Ibaka and JaVale McGee. Take away Jennings and the other participants are all over 6-10. Oh joy.

At least the dunk contest will have some home town flavor to it, as Griffin plays for the Los Angeles Clippers and Jennings is a product of Compton, CA which is only about 10 miles or so from Staples. I too hail from the Hub City (Compton for the outsiders) and am a long time Clipper supporter so I will be a little torn with who to root for. Needless to say but besides Griffin and Jennings there may not be much excitement in this season's edition. It's not a lot of fun to watch extremely tall players dunk for exhibition purposes. Jennings made the dunk contest rounds back when he was a HS senior at Oak Hills and it rumored to have a vertical leap that's close to 40 inches. He is currently recovering from an injury but should be healthy by all-star weekend.

 Click each participant's name above for a few of their dunk highlights.

-ALR