2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

[BringTheHeat]

http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/players/index.html

Since this is a general All-Star thread now might as well put predictions and what not.

All Star teams: They're alright. No way Melo should start.

Dunk: Shump to win.

3 Point: James Jones or Rio!

ASG MVP: Probably LeBron. He usually plays well in these. If not him, I can see Dwight getting it just because. (see Kobe and Shaq co-MVP).

[TheMatrix31]

Re: All Star Reserves Announced, Thoughts?

Just gonna turn this into a 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread. Good idea.

[SidVish]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

I'm glad to see Nash and Deng make it. They're having outstanding seasons.

[KG]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Extremely happy to see Roy make it.

I feel like Paul Pierce only made it because of his last week. I guess the Hawks have to have a player on there as well but I would have went with Josh Smith.

[Altimus]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Deng in is absolutely outstanding! 2nd best player on the Bulls and his importance is almost Rose like. Great vote by the coaches.

[RedSceptile]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Josh Smith should have definitely made it this year I'd have preferred if he made it over Deng. Or Pierce.

Don't think Dirk shoulda made it this year.

[Rexis]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Last year and this year again. The coaches needs to stop snubbing J Smoove, man. Dude is balling out here but getting no recognition from the rest of the world.

[SidVish]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,3489139.story

CHARLOTTE – The low point for Luol Deng? That’s easy.

It came in the spring of 2009 when Deng, sidelined with a stress fracture in his right leg, missed the Bulls’ epic playoff series against Boston – while getting ripped by those who questioned the severity of the injury.

The Bulls even put out a release stating Deng would “undergo 'active rest,' meaning that he will be encouraged to challenge himself physically.”

“Sitting there and reading everything in the papers and from the fans, with everyone saying I wasn’t really hurt … that was the craziest thing I’ve ever had to go through,” Deng said Friday before the Bulls’ shootaround in Charlotte.

“Before that, I kind of felt like I was loved by everyone. I had never experienced that – if you want to call it hate, or whatever it was. (But) I think it really helped me to bounce back, knowing how things work.”

Deng has bounced back to the point of being selected as an Eastern Conference reserve for the Feb. 26 All-Star Game in Orlando. It’s his first nod in eight seasons.

The official word came Thursday night during a telecast on TNT, though Deng hinted he might have gotten wind earlier.

“I’m not gonna reveal that,” he said, chuckling. “A couple of people made comments (before). I was reading people based on what they were saying and how they said it. It was really confirmed to me after I saw it (on TV).”

Deng called it “a great honor. I don’t really have the words for it except that I’m really happy. I want to go around and thank all my teammates because I believe I’m getting the opportunity because of the record we have.”

At 22-6, the Bulls have the NBA’s best record. So it figured that they would have a player join Derrick Rose on the All-Star team.

“It’s great; it’s a byproduct of winning,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We had a couple of other guys who were deserving as well. The more you win, the more recognition the team receives.”

Thibodeau said he expected Deng to be selected in a vote by conference coaches.

“If you look at his career, each year he has gotten better and better,” Thibodeau said. “I think that’s a sign of how serious he is and how he approaches the game. He’s a very well-rounded player. There’s nothing he does not do well.”

Deng joked about not knowing the All-Star Game protocol.

“No, I’ll talk to Derrick about that,” he said. “I don’t know how it goes, that’s the honest truth. Am I supposed to play ‘D’? I don’t know.”

I love the bolded quote.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Looks like Kevin Love's gonna be in the 3 point contest:

Kevin Love plans to accept an invitation to compete in the three-point shootout during All-Star weekend.

"I think I've got a good shot at anything I do," Love said. "I'm a pretty competitive, and I'm going to go out and try to win."

Love is shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap..._Point_Contest

[Altimus]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

He won't finish all the racks. lol

[jeebs9]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Kevin Love in the 3 point contest. I don't know about that.

[Basketball GURU]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

I want to see Redick, Korver, Curry and Ray Allen in 3pt contest this. I read C.J Watson wanted to do it too.

[SidVish]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

Here's Bill Simmons' NBA All Star team.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7562176/the-sports-guy-nba-all-star-team

EAST STARTERS: Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Anderson Varejao

EAST RESERVE GUARDS: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson

EAST RESERVE FORWARDS: Chris Bosh, Andre Iguodala, Paul Pierce

EAST RESERVE CENTERS: Tyson Chandler, Roy Hibbert

WEST STARTERS: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol

WEST RESERVE CENTER: Andrew Bynum

WEST RESERVE GUARDS: Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Tony Parker

WEST RESERVE FORWARDS: LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, James Harden

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

I don't think you'll see Ray Allen in the 3 PT contest, I'm pretty sure he said recently he wasn't going to do it.

[RedSceptile]

Re: 2012 All-Star Discussion Thread

I like Simmons east squad minus Joe Johnson for Josh Smith who is the best player on the Hawks.

His west squad is pretty much spot on.