NBA ALL STAR TEAMS:

EAST WEST

Dwight Howard, C Amare Stoudemire, C
Lebron James, F Kevin Garnett, F
Chris Bosh, F Dirk Nowitzki, F
Dwayne Wade, G Kobe Bryant, G
Gilbert Arenas, G Steve Nash, G

My East starters are identical to my esteemed colleague J-Baller. He obviously knows what he’s talking about, and I don’t think anyone who considers themselves a true hoops buff would pick any other five to lead the East. The West is where things get a bit murky. Yao was definitely the most dominant center in the league when he was playing, but for me, 27 games doesn’t cut it for an All-Star appearance. I know its harsh, and I risk angering about one and half billion Chinese people in the process, but I have to do it. Amare has been an absolute force recently, and is only getting better as his knee gets stronger.

I went with Garnett over Boozer even though statistically they are very similar, and even though the Jazz are the superior team, because I hate the Jazz and I hate Boozer. It is as simple as that, people.

I chose Nash over Iverson (and McGrady, Paul, etc.) because not only is he a pure point guard, but he is the most crucial part of what I consider the best team in the NBA, sorry Mavs fans.

Who is your NBA MVP at this point?

Damn, I don’t know. Kobe. No wait, Nash. Arenas? Actually, Wade has been clutch over the past few weeks…maybe Nowitzki should finally win one. I’ll get back to you on this….

Will Toronto make the playoffs?

God I hope so. I think they will considering their strong play of late. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves: this is still the Raptors. This team can run off 10 game losing streaks with ease. Assuming they don’t win their division (New Jersey has won 4 in a row and are at .500), they will be competing primarily against Indiana for the eighth and final spot.

Will C-Webb put Motown over the top?

No, but Morris Peterson will…

Early likings for the final four?

UNC, Florida, Butler, Wisconsin (but I’m rooting for Air Force)

I would also like to submit my pick for worst draft class ever, originally proffered by J-Baller. While 2006 featured very few (if any) franchise players, I think guys like Bargnani, Aldridge, Roy, Foye, Sefalosha, Gay, Marcus Williams, Farmar, Rondo, Carney, and even Morrison will be able to contribute to their clubs and end up having solid careers. It’s not glittery, but it’s not the worst, either.

That honour has to be bestowed on the draft class of 2000. Take a moment to peruse:

The word to describe this is ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Where to begin? Kenyon Martin, the first overall pick, is chronically injured, serviceable at best when he’s not, and one of the most overpaid players in the league. It gets worse. Stromile Swift is an underachieving malcontent who has yet to really make an impact. Darius Miles is still scouring the planet for his jumpshot. Marcus Fizer? Is he still even in the league?
Included in the top 10 are such high profile names as Keyon Dooling, Chris Mihm, and Demarr Johnson. The top 15 boasts Jerome Moiso (any Raps fans remember him?), Courtney Alexander, Mateen Cleaves and the late great Jason Collier. With all the love in the world for my man MoPete, the far and away best player in this draft was taken at number 42 (Michael Redd)! This is a year most NBA GMs would like to forget.

While they certainly have a ways to go, I think it’s tough to say after 40 games that this is the worst draft class in history. Let’s check up on them again in six years and see how they are doing.

Other potential worst draft classes ever:

1992: Aside from Shaq and ‘Zo, here is the rest of the top 10: Christian Laettner, Jimmy Jackson, Laphonso Ellis, Tom Gugliotta, Walt WIlliams, Todd Day, Clarence Weatherspoon, Todd Day and Adam Keefe.

1995: Solid top 5: Joe Smith, McDyess, KG, ‘Sheed. Stack. Damon Stoudemire went seventh. Then comes the agony. Bryant Reeves at #6. Shawn Respert, Ed O’Bannon, Cherokee Parks, Gary Trent are all in the top 15. Who the hell is Randolph Childress, anyway?

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