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

Cutting It Off

     As a coach, I am a firm believer that success, in sports and in life in general, is predicated not only on talent, intelligence and luck, but also, just as importantly, character and camaraderie. All my teams have always been drilled, trained and taught on the importance of these two and the central role they play on the team's success.  That's why I am applauding several teams who made the right decision by cutting off members who have become threats to the team's character and camarederie.  Letting these bad elements remain would've brought serious damage to the team and letting them go is definitely a wise move.

     This past week, three teams have made the sometimes difficult but always correct cut.  The Smart Gilas Philippine National Team let go of ultra-athletic, defensive dynamo C.J. Giles; the Golden State Warriors traded away disgruntled veteran Stephen Jackson and the Memphis Grizzlies waived superstar Allen Iverson.  Giles was rumored to have regularly come to practices with a hangover, evidence of all-night partying and after giving him second and third chances, Gilas management decided to send the naturalization prospect packing, before he became a bad influence on the team.  Meanwhile, the beleagered Warriors finally had enough of Jackson's antics, which included constantly asking to be traded and picking a fight with Coach Don Nelson.  They traded Jackson to the Charlotte Bobcats, which also boosted their chances of reducing payroll, since Jackson was reportedly owed about 35 million dollars for three years.  Lastly, after complaining about his playing time and bench player status after only two games with team, Iverson was sent to the waivers.  

     Kudos are definitely owed to these organizations and I am hoping several others follow their lead.  Here are some potentially poisonous elements teams should consider expelling:

Nate Robinson - The Knicks are a mess.  It's like the team is set up so that the payroll is completely gutted by next year to have enough salary cap room to lure Lebron James, but still, Knicks fans, and anyone who loves NBA basketball, deserves valiant efforts every night from them.  Players like David Lee and Wilson Chandler seem to be trying to get the Knicks to win, but Nate Robinson is a different story.  The reigning two-time slam dunk champion has always been a "me-first" type of player despite being an undersized point guard and signing him to a one year deal may not have been a good idea.  He seems to be coasting along, more concerned with getting stats than with helping the Knicks win.  Case in point, in a recent Knicks game against the New Jersey Nets, Robinson even found the time to be fooling around.  In the link above, Robinson, apparently for kicks, decided to throw a last second half-court shot.... AT THE OPPONENT'S BASKET. Then, to top it all of, the shot GOES IN.  Robinson's reaction to Coach Mike d'Antoni's tirade against him?  What? It didn't count.  Does Lebron really want to be a Knick?  Well, he better hope Nate Ronison isn't one if he moves over to Broadway.

Michael Koncz - This native Canadian currently serves as pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao's "adviser," but clearly, his presence is not wanted by a lot.  Already, Koncz has had a physical tiff with physical trainer Alex Ariza, and even Head Trainer Freddie Roach has proclaimed his ignorance of what Koncz really does.  While Ariza and Roach are no saints themselves, they clearly are invaluable to Pacquiao's competence in the ring.  As for Koncz, if Manny needs someone to "advise" him, I would put his money on Buboy Fernandez.  Like Ariza said, all Koncz does is decide which car to take or which restaurant to eat in anyway.

Monta Ellis - Yes, the Warriors deserve some kudos, but they also need to do more work.  Next on their list to move should be their lead gurad Monta Ellis.  Ellis was happy to sign on his multi-million dollar contract, but he has made it a point to show absolutely none of the leadership that begets that kind of money.  Since signing his contract, Ellis has injured himself for almost half of an NBA season on a moped (!) accident, then quickly threw rookie Stephen Curry under the bus by saying he couldn't play with him on the floor at the same time and win, despite never actually meeting or playing with Curry.  Then, for kicks, he decides to announce to the world after the Jackson trade that despite being one of team's more tenured players, he wouldn't want to be the leader on this team.  Of course, the Warriors' tales of woe always end with a tiff with the coach.  After one practice, Ellis asked pointed questions at Coach Don Nelson, trying to embarass him in front of the team.  While Ellis provides most of the scoring and assists, the woeful Warriors need a leader with his head on straight to lead a bunch of very talented youngsters.  

photos courtesy of examiner.com  ball don't lie and getty images