Rethinking the All Star game

Hey, it's been a while since I posted here. Work, eh? I've probably bemoaned the idea of the all-star game in the past before. The NBA mid season showcase always brings about lots of arguments, because there are only 12 spots per conference. This year, conference imbalance seems to be the talk, but it's not the first time. Remember in 2001 when seven west teams won 50 games, and only three from the east? Or the next year, when the Nets finished first in the east with 52 wins? Or the next year when the Pistons finished first with just 50 and no one else got there? Or how about ... yeah, you get it, there have been lots of years recently in which one conference has been considerably stronger. Usually, it's the west. This year is no different; currently, seven teams are on pace to win 52 games, and Phoenix and Oklahoma City will have to fight it out just to get that last spot.  Last year, it was a similarly crazy race in the west, while everyone outside Miami and Indiana in the east was... not that good.

Once again, people are arguing about the all-star game and how it should be changed to reflect this. There are a lot of great players who will be snubbed from the west team, while the east team may struggle to find 12 really good candidates. As someone who can remember when the east all-stars started Anthony Mason and Antonio Davis as their big guys (2001, look it up) against Shaq and Duncan, I can tell you this is nothing new. I've always seen the conferences go up and down, and I used to complain about it, but then I stopped caring. I figured it would always be a little unfair somehow, and while I disagreed with certain selections, I didn't really push for major changes.

Until now.

This week, I was watching the Pro Bowl, by which I mean I was reading sportswriters' tweets about the Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl sucks and is even more pointless in the week before the Super Bowl.... but it did add a kinda interesting wrinkle when they assigned two honorary captains to pick players, as opposed to just splitting them up by conference. While the NFL's all-star game is terrible and works much better on paper than in a real game, if they can feel fine with mixing up two conferences that have long been separated for everything, why can't the NBA? I also found out that the NHL tried something like this for their all-star game (I know almost nothing about hockey, so feel free to correct me on this) and was also considering having the teams be North Americans vs. Europeans. Maybe they already did that. I like that idea.

These two all-star games are not as fun or as big as the NBA's, but they showed everyone that old traditions can be changed and it might work better. I think the NBA would be more open to changes in the all-star process now, as they've already implemented several in the past few years. They made it so that centers and forwards go together, because it's hard to find true centers nowadays. This is now part of the selection process for the starters as well as the bench.

[If you're unfamiliar with the all-star process, fans vote for 5 starters, being 2 guards and 3 frontcourt players, in each conference. The biggest vote recipients in each category get to start the all-star game, no matter how unqualified they are. This has led to some very popular but not great players voted in when they shouldn't have been: Vince Carter after he quit on Toronto, a washed up Allen Iverson, and this year, a nearly-dead Kobe. The coaches in each conference then vote for the reserves.]

Hardcore fans hate the voting process because it leads to popular guys winning even when they shouldn't, as I noted above. Everyone is pissed that Kobe made it in this year, but the general public also recognized Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol, which is nice. Carmelo is a bit of a name pick, but it's not like the east has a ton of great forwards. Regardless, it's always been a bit of a problem for people who really follow the NBA, and I've always just taken it.

Now, though, since there have been some changes to the all-star process, and the league overall seems to be open to a lot of things under Silver's leadership, I am starting to think that maybe they would consider some more tweaks. Going with that idea that the NFL has with captains, I wonder if maybe the NBA would consider something like that.

Here is the basic proposal: What if we had two captains, still voted by fans, and then the rest of the players were all picked by coaches? Then those captains would select the players for their team, just like in a pickup game, without any conference restrictions. I know other people have suggested this before, and Bill Simmons made a whole column about it a few years back. I never really pushed for it before, but now, I think it would be way more interesting than the current setup.

Imagine how much better the rosters could be with this in place. Instead of trying to search for east big men who qualify, or wondering if 4 Hawks will make it in (they're playing great but NO) there would be balance and intrigue in these two teams. Better yet, this ensures that the top 25 players in the league are represented, and less deserving players are left out.

I made a mock draft of how this would go down. Since Stephen Currry got the most all-star votes overall, he's the top captain and gets the first pick. LeBron finished second, so he's the next captain and gets second pick, and then they go back and forth. It works out pretty well - Curry is an MVP favorite and on the best team, and LeBron has long been the dominant guy. Last year, the captains would probably have been LeBron and Durant, and how great would that be?

The coaches would then vote on the rest of the players, and this will hopefully give us the best guys in the league, regardless of conference. I don't think it would lean TOO much in favor of the west, because the east coaches would still want some of their guys represented. Here's how my mock draft looks:

1. (Curry): Anthony Davis
2. (LeBron): Harden
3. (Curry): Aldridge
4. (LeBron): Chris Paul
5. (C): Durant
6. (LB): Blake Griffin
7. (C): Wall
8. (LB): Marc Gasol
9. (C): Lowry
10. (LB): Jimmy Butler
11. (C): Lillard
12. (LB): Pau Gasol
13. (C): Boogie
14. (LB): Westbrook
15. (C): Dirk
16. (LB): Paul Millsap
17. (C): Duncan
18. (LB): Carmelo
19. (C): Klay Thompson
20. (LB): Bosh
21. (C): Mike Conley
22. (LB): Jeff Teague (he'd have taken his old buddy Wade, but he's probably sitting this out)

Which gives us these lineups....

TEAM CURRY - Starters - Curry, Wall, A Davis, Durant, Aldridge
Bench - Boogie, Dirk, Duncan, Klay, Lillard, Lowry, Conley

TEAM LBJ - Starters - LB, Blake, Marc G, CP, Harden
Bench - Pau G, Bosh, Millsap, Melo, J Butler, Westbrook, Teague

Doesn't that look awesome? It guarantees a lot of guys in tight spots will get in. Durant might not even make the west team this year because of all the games he's missed, and yet he's still probably more qualified than all the east forwards besides LeBron. Conley, Klay, Dirk, and Duncan will all be fighting for one spot, most likely, or maybe Boogie will be left out despite killer numbers. They all should be there.

I could see some arguments with the guys I took. This would knock out some of the east guys fighting for a spot in the current game. Love and Kyrie have been ok, and the Cavs are finally coming around now, but do they really all need to be in it? Horford has been getting back, but his numbers aren't amazing. Kemba Walker and Brandon Knight have been nice scoring guards for playoff-contending teams, but they're not really all-stars. Now, they don't have to be.

I know this would upset some people who want their east teams represented, and it would lessen the fan impact on voting, but man, would it make for a more interesting game. Plus, in the years where there are more good people in the east, they'll be there. I hope Silver and his people are at least pondering something like this. It would be nice if they get some inspiration from the other leagues and rethink the NBA all-star game.

Some very early season awards

It's early, but I want to track some favorites for the all-star weekend....

ROOKIE GAME

Starters (first team): Griffin, Wall, Cousins, Fields, Bledsoe

Bench: Wes Johnson, Turner, Aminu, Favors

Greg Monroe, Xavier Henry - alternates

EAST ALL STARS

Starters: Garnett, LeBron, Dwight, D Rose, Wade

Definite Bench: Pierce, Amare, Rondo

Probably Bench: Granger, Horford, Noah, ?

Other possibilites: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Bosh, Brook Lopez, Wall, Ray Felton, Stephen Jackson, Brandon Jennings

Wow, I couldn't even think of a 12th guy. I'm hoping one of the poss guys steps up. This is a sad year. Bosh might make it even though he's been a disappointment (and Wade is too, but I can't find a better two guard).

WEST ALL STARS

Starters: Dirk, P Gasol, Durant, Kobe, Deron

Definite Bench: CP, Nash, Carmelo, Ginobli, Westbrook

Probably bench: (hard to say) two of the following bigs......

Big guys that are too hard to choose between: Scola, Millsap, David West, Griffin, K Love

Other possibilites: Monta, B Roy, Rudy Gay, Duncan

I can't pick two out of those big guys. Millsap and West are very similar. The others are putting up great stats on bad teams. Hard to believe Duncan isn't a lock, but his scoring is way down. He might get respect votes anyway.

all star picks 09

The starters were announced, and somehow, Tracy McGrady and Yi disappeared. But that's good. I don't have any major objections. I carefully went through and there weren't any starters I wouldn't have picked at all. Iverson is a little questionable, but he's the best bet on a Pistons team that ought to have someone. I can't say no to him.

My west starters: Kobe, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Duncan, Nowitzki

Bench: Yao, Amare, Tony Parker, Deron Williams, Melo, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash

Chauncey Billups and David West were kinda tough omissions. In fact, I could change my mind on Nash (not that great this year, but I feel for him) over Billups. If Melo can't play, they should ensure that Billups makes it in. Al Jefferson and Kevin Durant have great numbers, and would be easy picks in the east, but their teams are too bad.

My east starters: Garnett, LeBron, Dwight Howard, Devin Harris, Wade

Bench: Danny Granger, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Iverson, Joe Johnson, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis

I hated putting in Carter and Lewis, but I couldn't find anyone better. There are no big guys who really deserve it. Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler are doing good, but they are hard to differentiate, and the Wizards are terrible. Al Harrington and David Lee put up surprisingly good numbers, but the Knicks and their system may inflate them. Michael Redd, Ben Gordon, Ray Allen.... meh... decent scorers but that's all. I would like to see Derrick Rose, but he just doesn't have enough yet. This is not an inspiring team outside the top eight or nine guys.

Not as important, but always fascinating to me, is the rookie - sophomore challenge. I don't know how to grade sophomores so easily, but rookies are interesting. There are some good stories this year.

ROOKIES - starters - Derrick Rose, O. J. Mayo, Russell Westbrook, Michael Beasley, Brook Lopez

Bench - D. J. Augustin, Eric Gordon, Mario Chalmers, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love

almost - Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Jason Thompson

SOPHS - starters - Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Jeff Green, Rodney Stuckey, Al Thornton

Bench - Thad Young, Spencer Hawes, Wilson Chandler, Daequan Cook, Mike Conley

almost - Yi, Marco Bellinelli

january jonesin

With the midseason divide almost here, I look back and realize I haven't been updating that much. Work, work, work. I'll try to have something before the all-star break.

First, my all star picks:

STARTERS

EAST: Garnett, LeBron, D Howard, Wade, Billups

WEST: Dirk, Duncan, Boozer, C Paul, Kobe

BENCH

EAST: Caron Butler, Pierce, Bosh, Kidd, Rip, Joe Johnson, and ... who? I don't have a seventh guy. Seriously, no one stands out. Jamison, Josh Smith, Rich Jefferson, Redd, and Ray Allen could all make a case. I guess I like Jamison to give us some size... the Wizards are doing good without Arenas and that's worth something.

WEST: Melo, Yao, Baron, Nash, Iverson.... and I suppose Amare.... and a tie between Ginobli and B Roy. I felt like I missed a guard there... there are four guys under 6-3 there.... no, I'm good. I made that tie. I think we should let the west team have 13 and the east only 11. That's fair this year.

I want to see these people in the rookie game: Roy and Alrdidge; Durant and Jeff Green; Horford; Jamario Moon (great sleeper); Navarro and Rudy Gay; Corey Brewer; Yi; and ummm..... where are the second year guys? Bargnani is hurting but he's probably still in the top ten. 2006 is lacking for now.


Random trade ideas: I tried to figure out a deal for Kidd to Dallas for Devin Harris and other players, but that can't work because Dallas doesn't have many tradable guys. They could give up Erick Dampier, but that actually makes Jersey's cap worse. All of their expensive guys are too important or have too long contracts. Who knew Cuban could put himself in a spot where he couldn't make deals? Even a third team wouldn't help that much - Dallas just has nowhere to go with a big deal.

Kidd to Sacto, Bibby to Cleveland, and draft picks to Jersey? I figured out a way to make it work. But then Jersey doesn't get much for now, and they'd have cap relief in two years anyway when Kidd leaves.... and Kidd goes to the Kings, who might be near his hometown, but aren't a real contender. I doubt that he wants to go there.... so we're back to square one.

Maybe they can get involved with Dallas (Dallas gets Kidd, Jersey gets Harris, Cleveland gets Bibby, Sacto gets.... ummm.... )

Okay:

Sacto gets cap space and draft picks, mostly.... Jersey gets Harris, Dallas gets Kidd, Cleveland gets Bibby, and a lot of people are involved. This trade is contingent on some behind-the-scenes handshakes:

1. Dallas promises to New Jersey that if they accept Dampier now, they will trade for him over the summer with contracts that expire. So the Nets will have cap space heading into Brooklyn.

2. Sacto will cut Jerry Stackhouse, once acquired, so he can go back to the Mavericks. Cuban will send the Maloofs some cash and many draft picks for taking on his contract.

Dallas receives: Jason Kidd, Mikki Moore, Damon Jones (the latter two will be shipped to Jersey after the season is over to get back Dampier)

Cleveland receives: Mike Bibby, Eddie Jones (they might cut him)

New Jersey receives: Devin Harris, Nick Fazekas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Devean George, and the-merely-for-rental Erick Dampier.... besides, Harris all those guys (and the two they'll get for Dampier later) have contracts that are up soon.

Sacramento receives: Cedric Simmons, Shannon Brown, Jamal Magliorre, Ira Newble, Dwayne Jones, and Jerry Stackhouse (who will have something worked out)... plus draft picks from Cleveland and Dallas

Sacramento Kings
Incoming Players
Cedric Simmons Salary: $1,629,120 Years Remaining: 2
Shannon Brown Salary: $1,044,120 Years Remaining: 1
Jamaal Magloire Salary: $4,000,000 Years Remaining: 1
Ira Newble Salary: $3,441,900 Years Remaining: 1
Jerry Stackhouse Salary: $6,750,000 Years Remaining: 3
Dwayne Jones Salary: $770,610 Years Remaining: 1

New Jersey Nets
Incoming Players
Nick Fazekas Salary: $427,163 Years Remaining: 2
Shareef Abdur-Rahim Salary: $5,800,000 Years Remaining: 3
Devean George Salary: $2,369,111 Years Remaining: 1
Erick Dampier Salary: $10,590,500 Years Remaining: 4
Devin Harris Salary: $3,995,003 Years Remaining: 6
Outgoing Players: Jamaal Magloire, Jason Kidd

Dallas Mavericks
Incoming Players
Mikki Moore Salary: $5,356,000 Years Remaining: 2
Damon Jones Salary: $4,172,432 Years Remaining: 2
Jason Kidd Salary: $19,728,000 Years Remaining: 2
Outgoing Players: Nick Fazekas, Devean George, Erick Dampier, Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, Eddie Jones

Cleveland Cavaliers
Incoming Players
Mike Bibby Salary: $13,500,000 Years Remaining: 2
Eddie Jones Salary: $1,830,000 Years Remaining: 1
Players: Cedric Simmons, Shannon Brown, Damon Jones, Ira Newble, Dwayne Jones


I think this might work. Obviously the Kings might want more for Bibby, like Drew Gooden or another forward.... but they still don't know what to do with Artest, and this gives them some financial flexibility. Simmons and Brown might do more with time. And they'll get lots of draft picks, so in this draft, they can probably find a good point guard and work from there.

This is contingent on a lot of secret deals, but that seems to help teams out sometimes. Because of all the craziness involved, I'd say it has about a 0.0003 % chance of happening.

But you have to admire that I came up with a four team deal that worked.