Granger an All-Star?

[cdash]

I know its early still, but All-Star voting has been open for like a week now and I was just seeing what we gave his chances of actually getting to the game. Personally, I think a lot of it hinges on how good the Pacers' record is come midseason. If we are exceeding expectations or realistically in the playoff hunt, then I think theres a good chance he gets voted in by the coaches. I would have to imagine the starters at F in the East will be LeBron and Garnett, with Bosh locking up one of the reserve spots, and from there I think it opens a little. Anyways, what do you guys think?

[akaFlip]

Raps fan here.

I dont care if the Pacers record is horrible or excellent by All-Star Weekend, if Granger isnt on that team, it's a damn shame. (As long as it's not over Bosh's spot ).

[Gremz]

You're right, it's a bit early. I guess alot depends on production from Butler and Pierce in the coming months, however, on the start of the season, it will be extremely difficult for the coaches to vote against him if he continues producing in this manor.

[Dunthreevy]

If DG doesn't make it as a reserve (let's face it he's not getting voted on), I will start a riot.

[boshjonesford]

ya this guy needs to be in the allstar game although he wont start cause of of Lebron but bench for sure

[Miller4ever]

Elton Brand, the 20-10 machine, didn't get in as an all-star several times because the clips sucked so much.

However, the coaches who've played against him will know that the Pacers are not a team to be cast aside. I expect him to be close, at the very least. There's a LOT of forwards that are lined up in front of him.

LeBron James
Kevin Garnett
Elton Brand
Paul Pierce
Chris Bosh

[PR07]

He's playing like one. If it doesn't happen this year, it should happen next year.

[MillerTime101]

Alot of it does depend on the Pacers record, coaches seem to sent players on the top teams instead of guys like Elton Brand. Like when the Pistons were good Billups, Sheed, RIP and Prince all went to the game even though none of them were putting up great numbers.

[cdash]

One thing that could really hurt Granger's chances is the possibility that the huge Chinese population votes Yi Jianlian into the game as a starter in the East, which is entirely possible.

[Miller4ever]

I'm Chinese, and trust me, the Chinese aren't anywhere near as high on Yi now, especially after seeing the Americans dominate so much in the Olympics. These people will vote LeBron over Yi, 80% of the time. Also, we have a huge population, but not that many with internet. Yi is nowhere as monumentally symbolic as Yao, so the Chairman won't be voted in, I don't think. If he is, the margin will be incredibly small.

[Boneman2]

Cdash, forget about the Chinese, look at the way North Americans have butchered it(Carter, Wade, Penny, Hill, Shaq). All of these players missed a significant portion of the season leading up to the game, yet they were near the top in vote-getting. Yao is the best center and deserves to be there now, but I will admit his first selection was premature.

As of now Granger is deserving, but a lot will tell in the near future depending on our record. If we are well below .500, than he shouldn't be invited.

[TJFordisGod]

Danny Granger and TJ Ford will both make it. Unless an injury occurs, come January, they will both be putting up all star numbers deserving of an all star spot. And Febuary they will be in Phoenix living the basketball dream.

[Miller4ever]

Can I quote you on that?

If I weren't a Pacer fan, that might be sig material.

EDIT*: Mostly the part about TJ Ford. You have D-Wade, Devin Harris, Derrick Rose, Allen Iverson in front of him as guards, and there are some others that would likely take up those spots, like Andre Igoudala, Joe Johnson, Rip Hamilton, and that guy he was replaced with, Jose Calderon.

[cdash]

Cdash, forget about the Chinese, look at the way North Americans have butchered it(Carter, Wade, Penny, Hill, Shaq). All of these players missed a significant portion of the season leading up to the game, yet they were near the top in vote-getting. Yao is the best center and deserves to be there now, but I will admit his first selection was premature.

As of now Granger is deserving, but a lot will tell in the near future depending on our record. If we are well below .500, than he shouldn't be invited.

It really wasnt an anti-Chinese rant on my part, just stating facts. If I remember correctly, Yi had quite a few votes last year via write-ins when he wasnt even on the ballot. I'm not defending the countless bonehead players voted in by North American audiences, and in fact I dont like the system for picking All-Star starters, but there really isnt any better way of doing it.

The only way I can see TJ Ford getting in that game is if the Pacers go on a tear and he ups his numbers to something in the 18 ppg 9 apg 2 spg neighborhood. As far as deserving it, he really doesnt. The two best point guards in the East right now are probably Devin Harris and Derrick Rose. Not to mention, you have to figure AI will get voted in as usual.

[TJFordisGod]

Can I quote you on that?

If I weren't a Pacer fan, that might be sig material.

EDIT*: Mostly the part about TJ Ford. You have D-Wade, Devin Harris, Derrick Rose, Allen Iverson in front of him as guards, and there are some others that would likely take up those spots, like Andre Igoudala, Joe Johnson, Rip Hamilton, and that guy he was replaced with, Jose Calderon.

I am obviously a little biased when it comes to TJ Ford as you can see from my screen name. But i honestly do believe that TJ is an all star point guard, but because of the big namers in the East, he wont make it.

O and Jose Calderon over Ford?? No Way Jose!!!! Unless being a pylon on defense is the key to making the allstar team.

[HicksvsKnicks08]

Also, we have a huge population, but not that many with internet

Why is that? Is it because of a large rual population?

[Miller4ever]

Yeah, mostly, and even then many of the people with internet don't watch basketball.

[Miller4ever]

O and Jose Calderon over Ford?? No Way Jose!!!! Unless being a pylon on defense is the key to making the allstar team.

Haha, I like the "No way Jose". That was funny.

But lack of defense befitting an all-star? Oh, yes. Yes it is. Ready for the list?

Steve Nash
Carmelo Anthony
Vince Carter
David West
Dirk Nowitzki
Peja Stojakovic

All of these players are Vitamin D deficient.

And Yi, while we're on the subject, who I don't think will get voted in, but if he does, will also be a horrible defender. Then there's guys who aren't all-stars yet but are getting looked at, like Al Jefferson, Kevin Durant, and Zack Randolph. So many all-star votes are generated via hype and stats, and Jose, thus far, has gotten much more recognition on both ends thus far.

[TJFordisGod]

O and Jose Calderon over Ford?? No Way Jose!!!! Unless being a pylon on defense is the key to making the allstar team.

Haha, I like the "No way Jose". That was funny.

But lack of defense befitting an all-star? Oh, yes. Yes it is. Ready for the list?

Steve Nash
Carmelo Anthony
Vince Carter
David West
Dirk Nowitzki
Peja Stojakovic
All of these players are Vitamin D deficient.

And Yi, while we're on the subject, who I don't think will get voted in, but if he does, will also be a horrible defender. Then there's guys who aren't all-stars yet but are getting looked at, like Al Jefferson, Kevin Durant, and Zack Randolph. So many all-star votes are generated via hype and stats, and Jose, thus far, has gotten much more recognition on both ends thus far.

During their all star careers, Calderon is no where near in their league offensively. Nash, Melo, and Carter all had the ability to take over a game, create their own shots, and shots for others. West was very conisitent last year in the post offensively, not sure if he deserved to b an all star, but much better than calderon on offense. Dirk Nowitzki.....enough said.

I do agree with you though that this selection may be based on hype. Calderon right now is being way over hyped. His assist/turnover ratio and assist numbers are very mis leading. He does not have the ability to break down the D and create shots for others like a Steve Nash or a TJ Ford, and a lot of his assist come from passing it to bosh for a contested shot. Because Bosh is Bosh he tends to make a lot of them. There are so may sports analysts saying Calderon is going to be one of the top 5 point guards in the league. Please! They probably havent even watched one raptor game and they base everything on stats. Pathetic.

[Miller4ever]

I know.

I think Ford has a legit shot at getting selected as a reserve if he continues to play well.

I'm just looking out for you. Just wanted to make sure you were for real, not just drinking the homer-brewed kool-aid