Carter, Wallace, Bryant Lead All-Star Balloting

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

Latest Results

Alonzo Mourning (N.J.) 156,455 - turn it off.

Vince Carter (Tor.) 696,652
Paul Pierce (Bos.) 89,382

[Old School Fool]

LeBron James (Cle.) 242,695 I saw these Votes coming in since i heard he was Huge in High School...LeBron is in the All_Star Game...we all know...he is DEFAULT for me

[wangster]

Wallace being the second leading vote getter has more to do with the fact that there simply isn't another all-star calibre center in the east than with his popularity alone. Don't get me wrong, I love the Beast but seriously, the big man situation in the east, actually in the whole league is pretty sad right now.

[Andrew]

I thought Kobe might be higher. I've read that Kobe has been received with a few boos this season though, so that might account for his lower number of votes at this time. I have a feeling he'll end up second in votes though.

I'm surprised to see Shaq ahead of Yao. After what happened last year, I had a feeling Ming might take a majority of Shaq's votes every year. Shaq is probably more suited to the All-Star game though. Though anything can happen, I predict Shaq will be voted in as a starter.

If the All-Star Game was held tomorrow:

West:
C-O'Neal
F-Duncan
F-Garnett
G-Bryant
G-Francis

East:
C-Wallace
F-O'Neal
F-Carter
G-McGrady
G-Iverson

Sounds familiar.

[Bourbon]

I'm surprised to see Shaq ahead of Yao.

Not me; China's votes haven't been counted yet. Of the voting, O'Neal said, "Once they open it up in his crib, I'm probably toast again."

Probably.

[Andrew]

I wasn't aware of that. Still, I don't think it's necessarily the case. I'm sure a lot of people who don't care for Shaq still vote for him - myself included, believe it or not. I believe it was pretty close with Shaq and Yao last year, so it's not out of the question.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

I really hope they do not leave off:

Zach Randolph
Paul Pierce
Pau Gasol
Andrei Kirilenko

Kirilenko's numbers are real nice, his 2.48 steals and 2.62 blocks are amazing, plus 15.8 ppg 7.4 rebounds 3.2 assists.

If LeBron James makes the team and Paul Pierce doesn't

[Andrew]

Pierce might getting snubbed by the fan voting, but I doubt the coaches will overlook him. Remember that some of last year's reserves won't be returning: Jordan is retired, Mashburn is injured, Walker and Brad Miller are in the West, Ilgauskas is questionable. I'd be very surprised if Pierce isn't selected.

[Jackal]

West:
C-O'Neal
F-Duncan
F-Garnett
G-Bryant
G-Francis

East:
C-Wallace
F-O'Neal
F-Carter
G-McGrady
G-Iverson

I was so close, I had Starbury in ahead of Franchise.

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

Pierce might getting snubbed by the fan voting, but I doubt the coaches will overlook him. Remember that some of last year's reserves won't be returning: Jordan is retired, Mashburn is injured, Walker and Brad Miller are in the West, Ilgauskas is questionable. I'd be very surprised if Pierce isn't selected.

Don't get me wrong, I know Pierce deserves it, he and Iverson are the two best players in the East at guard, and maybe the entire East, McGrady is still 3-19 or something people.

I understand everyone loving LeBron James and so on, but seriously is he better than Paul Pierce? It will be something to see him come along, but he is not on Pierce's level at this point, not even close, statistics do not measure Paul's ability in the clutch, his raw scoring abilities. Yes I know Pierce is 7 years older than LeBron, but that's something else to be considered, LeBron has many days ahead of him to be the star, let Pierce have his due in the game. But they will probably let LeBron play alot, although Rick Carlisle should be the coach and he's not one to bow down to the pressures of the hype, he may just keep Carter and Iverson out there the most. Is Ron Artest going to make it?

[fgrep15]

If Lebron is not in the top 2 he's not going to make it.....i don't see the coaches picking him, Ifor the bench i say Kidd, Pierce, The Baron, Artest, Kenyon, Shareef and Z

[DipSetVC]

Pierce is in guys, no doubt. I think LeBron will also be picked as a reserve.
BTW Paul_pierce_the_truth, even though T-Mac's team is 3-20, that should have no relevance to him being selected as a starter. All Stars are not picked for the records of their teams. BTW, as long as Carter, T-Mac and Iverson remain in the East, Paul Pierce will never be selected as a starter just for the simple fact, he's game isn't as flashy as the aforementioned.

[1CenT]

Ya.. I hope Kenyon and Artest makes it this year.. they deserve it..
In the West.. the point guard position is somewhat lacking...
Marbury's team isn't playing well...
Francis' been off this season.. even tho his team is playing great..
Nash's #s are down..
Payton? He is like 38?
Cassell in my opinion is playing the best.. he is shooting a great %.. he is on a sumwhat winning team.
I think Cassell should deserve his first? all-star appearance....
But as a coach.. i would probally think of Marbury, Nash and Payton over him.. and since Rockets are 1 of da most popular teams and Francis is flashy.. he will probally start this year again

[fgrep15]

West bench

Marbury, Payton, Dirk, Antoine, Peja, Yao, Brad Miller

[Ruff Ryder]

West bench

Marbury, Payton, Dirk, Antoine, Peja, Yao, Brad Miller

I think Rashard Lewis will be there over peja. The coache's will vote him in for what he's done for the Sonics so far this year.

[fgrep15]

wow i didnt even think of rashard

[Drex]

I think Rashard Lewis will be there over peja. The coache's will vote him in for what he's done for the Sonics so far this year.

But Peja has been great for the Kings this year. He's their best player right now. Webber is out, so he's having a great season. Some ESPN writers put him as an MVP candidate.

[1CenT]

Rashard's great
but Peja is awsome
shooting over 50% from fg, 90% free throw 40% from 3 pointer.. leading his club to 2nd best in the west 3rd overall in the nba..
all-star? mvp candidate..

and also if you talk about how well the sonics are playing cuz of lewis.. then how bout jazz? then does andrei kirlenko qualify for an all-star?
how bout zach randolph.. near 23 points 11 boards . shootin over 50%..

[air gordon]

i'd be very disappointed if randolph, kirilenko, artest, brad miller, and peja don't make the team as reserves. IMO all are worthyof/deserve a spot on the all star team

[fgrep15]

i dont think kirelenko and randolph will make it, they sometimes give it to the more experienced players but who knows

artest (who else is there), brad miller, and peja i see them on the teams already

[Charlie Martel]

Proof that the NBA All-Star game (well, at least the fan voting part) is a joke:

Chris Webber (Sac.) 121,270 (has yet to step on the court this season yet he has more votes than Peja)

'Nuff said.

[fgrep15]

Ray Allen also

[Matt]

sadly theres not enough places for everyone to be on the team, some will have to miss out

[paul_pierce_the_truth]

Peja Stojakovic is almost as much of a lock as Vince Carter is.

He doesn't need the fan votes, he's the best shooter in the world.
[.509 .424 .922 24.0]

He has had lots of help in Sacramento though, you have to admit Brad Miller and Mike Bibby deserve a lot of credit and maybe a spot as well.

Rashard Lewis and Seattle have been going down in value.

Leaving off Andrei Kirilenko would be wrong, sick and wrong.


My predictions based on fan votes and my tiny brain:

West
Starters
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Yao Ming
Kobe Bryant
Steve Francis

Reserves
Shaquille O'Neal
Brad Miller
Zach Randolph
Peja Stojakovic
Andrei Kirlenko
Mike Bibby
Stephon Marbury

[If Francis and Ming are not voted starters, they will not make the team. If Payton takes Francis' spot as a starter [reserves remain the same] but if Shaq beats Ming, then Shawn Marion, Antoine Walker or someone else from Dallas goes, a new player is added only Ming gets out voted.]

East
Starters
Vince Carter
Jermaine O'Neal
Ben Wallace
Allen Iverson
Tracy McGrady

Reserves
Shareef Abdul-Rahim
Kenyon Martin
Paul Pierce
Tracy McGrady
Jason Kidd
Baron Davis
LeBron James

[If there must be more forwards or centers, LeBron is out, his teammate Illgauskas or someone like Carlos Boozer, Kurt Thomas, Vin Baker or Jamaal Magloire get in]

I am probably way off here, but that is who I think right now.

The West is loaded and many could make a good bid including:
Antoine Walker
Dirk Nowitzki
Rashard Lewis
Karl Malone
Pau Gasol
Shawn Marion
Corey Maggette
Sam Cassell
Erick Dampier

The East is guard heavy and leaving off Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Michael Redd and Jason Terry might difficult.

Just adding people from Dallas may happen because of their balance and some might believe that punishing Nowitizki, Nash, Finley or Walker for this might be wrong, but individually I don't see any of them playing better than the listed reserves at their position.

[1CenT]

well Gasol might make it.. the grizz r good.. and hes soo good in nba live lol.. i dunno how many spots r there..

i like paul pierce the truth's list the only change is that shareef and lebron probally won't make it and i'm sure Ron Artest will make it as a reserve for the east.. and i think coaches like billups over lebron.. i dunno.. analysists keep sayin how he is having a great season.. well i dunno...Allan Houston.. even tho his stats aren't that great.. but he is quite unstoppable at times.. So i'm thinking coaches might vote him as well..