The Duncan Point

So it did happen.

After a particularly surprising beat down loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan has announced his retirement.  There is, of course, sadness all around.  While many have recognized the effects of Father Time has had on even the Big Fundamental, they see one more possible championship run in him; or at the very least, a farewell tour like fellow retiree Kobe Bryant.

Once the initial, violent sadness dissipates, tributes will come in.  Championships will be counted (Duncan won 5 NBA Titles and an Olympic Gold Medal).  Statistics will be analyzed (He is one of only two NBA players to score over 26000 points, grab over 15,000 rebounds and block 3,000 shots). Skills will be revered (He had tremendous footwork and dribbling skills for a big man and an unflappable bank shot).  His humility will be celebrated (Players and coaches alike pick him to be the best teammate and extremely coachable). His loyalty exalted (He is one of only 3 NBA players to retire after playing more than 18 seasons with 1 team).

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Kobe and the P Word

Whenever a player retires, or a person passes away, the lure to romanticize their careers and/or lives is strong. I am, however, not a fan of Kobe Bryant, so the lure is not as strong. Yet I caution myself as I write this piece as I want to get this right.  Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA’s greatest players, will be remembered for a great deal of things; he made sure of that.  The question is, “What will he be most remembered for?”

How about his five NBA Championships?  Perhaps two Olympic gold medals will top your list.  There’s that unsavory incident of a sexual crime allegation in Denver, where he ended up not guilty of a crime, but himself confessing to adultery.  There was also a civil case that followed which was settled quietly. Maybe his Most Valuable Player Award and multiple inclusions in the All NBA lists?  There was his much publicized rift with Shaquille O”Neal which led to Shaq heading to the Heat.  How about Kobe torching the Raptors for 81 points in a single game? Everyone probably still remembers his expletive-filled rant at his teammates and team officials during a public practice session just last year.  I’m sure many would remember his renaissance man qualities, able to conduct press conferences (including his latest one) in English, Spanish and Italian.

If one remembers Kobe for any one of these, or even all of these, they would not be wrong.  They would be incomplete though.

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2011 NBA All Star Game Reserves: Coaching Errors

The NBA released its list of NBA All Star Game Reserves (including Yao Ming's replacement), and the results have been disappointing.  Admittedly, NBA assistant coaches have a tough job of deciding the reserves, but check out the list they gave out:

West Reserves: Pao Gasol (Center), Tim Duncan, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki (forwards), Manu Ginobili, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams (Guards) 

East Reserves: Al Horford (Center), Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce (forwards), Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson (Guards)

Who should they have put in? Here are the snubbed players:

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NBA All Star Starters 2011

     The NBA has announced its starters for the 2011 NBA All Star Game.  Since, the starters are chosen by the fans, there's usually a debate on whether the fans got the choices right.  From the 50 Peso Seats has its own NBA All Star Starter List and let's see if they match with the fans' choices.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Center
Fans' Choice: Dwight Howard
FtFPS Choice: Dwight Howard

     Was there ever any doubt that the jolly monster from Orlando would be the slotman?  The NBA's resident dominant center (despite whatever Shaq believes), Howard is carrying the Magic yet again on his impossibly muscular shoulders.  He is averaging a career-best 22 points per game to go along with over 13 rebounds and 2 blocks a game.  His post moves are becoming more polished as well.

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Shorts: Big and Small (Deal)

     The 2010 NBA All Star Weekend is over and a part of history, but not all of its activities were big deals.

BIG Deals


Venue - The main attraction for this year's festivities was the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium.  Expecting a mammoth crowd of over 90,000 people, everyone was awed as over 108,000 people packed the venue to watch the All Star Game.  The 2010 All Star Game now has the world record for the largest crowd to ever watch a basketball game and this bodes well for the ticket sales for Manny Pacquiao's fight against challenger Joshua Clottey, which will be in this same venue.

Steve Nash - My main man had a dream weekend for himself, starting with lighting the Olympic torch in his hometown Vancouver, Canada, then beating much younger players over a decade younger in the NBA Skills Challenge and then dishing out an impressive 14 assists in the NBA All Star Games.  Not bad for a 36 year old people said Phoenix should abandon.


Paul Pierce - The Celtic franchise player had a dismal first foray into the Long Distance Shoot Out, so he really looked forward to redeeming himself this year.  Redeem himself he did, as he scored 20 points in the finals to beat rookie Stephen Curry and "Mr. Big Shot" Chauncey Billups.

Dwayne Wade - With all the talk of the West's plans to feed hometown hero Dirk Nowitzki passes to make him MVP, Wade went about his business and got the MVP award for himself, while having fun doing it.  The Miami Heat star collected 28 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals, proving he can be the biggest deal in a team full of big deals.






small Deals

All participants of the Slam Dunk Contest - This year's crop of contestants, DeMar De Rozan, Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown and eventual champ Nate Robinson, produced one of the most boring Slam Dunk Contests ever, barely getting the crowd on its feet, save for 1 or 2 dunks.  While I think it's stupid that people keep calling for the abolition of the Slam Dunk Contest (since all dunks have supposed to have been seen already), these guys didn't help the popularity of the contest at all.

George Karl - The coach of the Denver Nuggets had his third try at coaching an All Star Game but third time was not the charm for Karl, as his West team lost to the East by two, 141 to 139.  His coaching stint included what seemed to be a final play where all players were confused at what to do, leaving Carmelo Anthony to throw up a hurried three pointer in an effort to win the game.  While the All Star Game is a no bearing exhibition match, wouldn't it be nice to win one, George?


Sophomores Team - While they have an excuse (Derrick Rose did not play), the Sophomores Team undoubtedly are disappointed in themselves, losing to the Rookies Team, 128-140.  The loss snapped the Sophomores' 7 year win streak and gave the rookies only their second win in 10 years.  The rookies were led by game MVP Tyreke Evans who scored 26 points and Da Juan Blair, who scored 22 points and grabbed 23 rebounds (the game's first 20-20 game).  I wonder if this crop of Sophomores will ever live it down.


photos courtesy of Getty Images and Ball Don't Lie

Shorts: Justice

     Even in the world of the NBA, justice is not always easy to come by.  Sometimes, justice is served but more often than not, like in the real world, stuff just comes out unfair.





Water Works


     The NBA recently fined the Cleveland Cavaliers' Lebron James USD 25,000 for unruly behavior.  In a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, James complained to the referees when he felt he was fouled on a drive in play.  His excessive complaining led to a technical foul, and when he was substituted, he proceed to flip away a tray of cups containing gatorage and/or water into the stands, wetting several people in the process.  Such a tantrum is boorish behavior in itself, but to kick things into the stands could go on to hurt the spectators, something that is a definite no no.  If the NBA suspends for a season someone who goes into the stands for attacking fans, kicking something into the stands should get a bigger punishment than USD 25,000, which is nothing to a superstar earning over USD 50 million a year. 


Suspended Animation

     After pleading guilty to gun possession, the Washington Wizards' eccentric guard Gilbert Arenas was suspended by the NBA for the rest of the year.  While the NBA union was all set to protest this action, I'm glad Commissioner David Stern dug in and stood by his order.  The suspension would deprive fans of Agent Zero, but a year's suspension without pay may be what Arenas needs to finally understand the gravity of his so-called "prank" of bringing guns to the locker room.  The move also is a good warning to other NBA players who like to bring guns "for protection."


Star-Crossed

     While I don't expect the NBA coaches to completely agree with my list of All Star reserves , I was completely disappointed and disheartened with the selection of Al Horford.  While Horford has seen his game grow leaps and bounds, his competent numbers of 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds (career highs), plus 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks are still no match to two other possible, better selections.  The New Jersey Nets' Brook Lopez (18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2 blocks) and the New York Knicks' David Lee 19.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists) are currently more deserving of recognition.  While they may be playing on bad teams, they both are the main men of the team, giving their bad teams consistent number every game, something that is difficult to do on bad teams.  If the NBA coaches were'nt looking for a center, then another better choice would be Horford's teammate Josh Smith (15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks).  Smith, who is the Hawks' second or third option behind Joe Johnson and possibly Jamal Crawford, does way more than Horford for the Hawks anyway.  

Shorts: Bench Points

(Each week, From the Fifty Peso Seats has a weekly edition of shorts, compilations of interesting but short posts of developments and trivia about the sporting world.)

     The NBA announced its list of starters for the NBA All Star Game 2010 and as written in my last post, the starters were all the early vote leaders, except for Tracy McGrady who was overtaken by Steve Nash (Thank Heavens!)  and Dirk Nowitzki.  Now, I take a stab at the reserves and while the NBA coaches may differ in their views, I confidently state that my picks are all deserving NBA All Star status for 2010.  (Note: I'll be picking two guards, two forwards, a center and two from any position for each All Star team.)

Guards

Eastern Conference: Joe Johnson, Rajon Rondo

      I've already stated my case for making Johnson an All Star this year in my previous post, so I think no elaboration is needed.  Rondo, meanwhile, has elevated his game another notch yet again, daring everyone to overlook him as an All Star.  Currently, averaging 14 points, 4.1 rebounds and 9.6 assists, Rondo's case for inclusion in the annual event is not merely his impressive numbers, but also the fact that the young pro has emerged as the Celtics' most significant player.  Even the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have categorically stated that the Celts' need Rondo to win.  Coming from those three, that's a heck of a reference.

Western Conference: Chris Paul, Monta Ellis

     Chris Paul would've been my starter and he certainly deserves a reserve spot if he doesn't start.  On the other hand, I have been riding Ellis and his ability (and refusal) to be a leader, but his game and his numbers cannot be denied an All Star spot.  This year, "Mr. Moped" is averaging career-highs in points (26.7), assists (5.5), and steals (2.2), keeping the oft-injured Warriors competitive in a lot of games where they shouldn't be.  Ellis is also playing a whopping 42 minutes a game, even playing without relief in at least 5 games already.  He may not want to, but he is emerging as a leader whether he knows it or not.

Forwards

Eastern Conference: Chris Bosh, Danny Granger

      There is no reason why Bosh is not starting other than he is playing for a small market Toronto team, so he definitely deserves a reserve slot.  Indiana's Granger is another deserving All Star.  The only bright spot in a horribly struggling Indiana Pacer team, Granger has bucked injuries to average impressive numbers, 23.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals.  Playing in the All Star Game would be a silver lining in this dark cloud of a season.

Western Conference: Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki

      While I thought to exclude Dirk from the starting line up, he definitely deserves to be an All Star this year.  The big German continues to carry the big load for the Dallas Mavericks and he is the main reason the Mavericks are one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference.  His numbers 25.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 steal and 1.2 blocks should be more than enough to guarantee a reserve spot.  As for Durant, like I stated before, this kid has been dominant, scoring 30 points or more in 13 of his last 16 games.  Why shouldn't he be an All Star?

Centers

Eastern Conference: David Lee

     In my previous article, I felt Lee almost overtook Howard as the East's top center going by the numbers, so he should at least be an All Star reserve.  

Western Conference: Chris Kaman

     He is my preferred starter as he gives the Clippers a reliable player day in and day out.  In such an inconsistent team as the Clippers, having a "throw back", "real," back to the basket center is a godsend.

Two Other Players

Eastern Conference: Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace

     There is no sophomore slump for Lopez as he has been the most consistent player for the lowly Nets.  Averaging 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2 blocks, Lopez is the proverbial bright spot, giving eternal optimistics like me hope that the Nets have some sort of a workable future in them.  Wallace too has stepped up this year, averaging 18.6 points, and amazing 11.3 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks  and most importantly, keeping himself healthy and available.  While Stephen Jackson and his mid-season arrival gets all the credit for the Bobcats's surprising play this year, Wallace must not be overlooked. 

Western Conference: Brandon Roy, Tyreke Evans

     It's been a tough year for Roy and the Blazers, with them experiencing a freakishly huge amount of injuries.  Roy has carried the Blazers through the rough injury patch, but ironically, as the players started coming back, ROy has gone down with a strained calf injury.  Despite this, Roy is averaging a commendable 23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal, definitely All Star material.  The Sacramento Kings rookie Evans has had a magnificent rookie season, leading the Kings and making them to be more competitive than their opponents would want.  While coaches shy away from picking rookies for the All Star team, Evans possesses transcendent skills, averaging 20.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals, which are absolutely amazing for a rookie even (or especially) on a bad team.

photos courtesy of new.yahoo.com, heycoach.wordpress.com