Predictions for Eastern Conference All-Stars

[Jammer]

Well, we know the fans will likely pick:

C: Dwight Howard
PF: Kevin Garnett
SF: Lebron James
SG: Dwayne Wade
PG: Jason Kidd

I've always thought that the coaches picked the next 5, and the Head Coach has some say in the last 2, particularly if someone is needed to win the game (like when Larry Brown got Anthony Mason and Antonio Davis named to the team, to give him two Bangers, next to Mutombo).

Anyway,

as much as I like Rasheed Wallace shooting 3's, the numbers say that Shaq is the second best center in the East, though I'd still take Sheed at the defensive end.

The backup point guard will almost certainly be Chauncey Billups, based on his record over the years and this season.

Doc has already said that he is a fan of Chris Bosh, he is the likely backup power forward.

The wing positions are where it gets interesting.

It's easier for players on losing teams to rack up numbers, because their are fewer good players to take shots and score points.

The other forwards, where there could be 2, will likely come down to two of Caron Butler, Paul Pierce and Richard Jefferson. I would hope that Pierce is recognized with a selection, over Butler and Jefferson, who is having a career year.

The other guards, where there could be two more, will likely be between
Michael "No-D" Redd, Vince "No-D" Carter, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Jason Richardson and Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

The fan voting was strongly in support of Pierce and Ray Allen thru January 10. That may be enough to swing it.

Ray, after today's ejection of Paul Pierce, is again the high mpg man for the Celtics.

So, My guess is:

C: Dwight Howard / Shaq
PF: Kevin Garnett / Chris Bosh
SF: Lebron James / Paul Pierce / Caron Butler
SG: Dwayne Wade / Richard Hamilton / Ray Allen
PG: Jason Kidd / Chauncey Billups

Optimistic on Ray, and maybe even Paul. Depends on the love from the conference coaches. But the fans supported them.

What are your predictions for the Top 12 from the East ??

[MaxwellSmart]

and they just said on TNT that LeBron was the top vote getter in the East---so I guess Stern once again screws the C's.

[No1CeltsFan]

C: Dwight Howard / Sheed or Illgauskas
PF: Kevin Garnett / Chris Bosh
SF: Lebron James / Paul Pierce / Caron Butler
SG: Dwayne Wade / Vince Carter/ Ray Allen
PG: Jason Kidd / Chauncey Billups

If Shaq makes this team it's a travesty. I think Rip is sick and prob deserves it, but I think Carter gets it on his name alone. If the coach picks the last 2, you better bet your ass Pierce is a lock. Along with Ray. Pierce deserves it regardless. If he ain't top 5 forwards in the East, then I don't know what the league has become. Same with Ray. When the Pistons had that great start a few year back they had 4 All-Stars (Chauncey, Rip, Sheed and Big Ben), I see no reason our Big 3 shouldn't be on this team. I don't know what their record was at the break that year, but I'm sure the C's will be close, if not better by then. Just my 2 Cents!

[Jammer]

No1CeltsFan:

The Coach doesn't pick the last two.

The Eastern Conference Coaches vote on the 7 reserves.

It's just, I suspect that the head coach has some influence lobbying the other coaches over what he needs to win, his coaching style, the relative merits of one player over another, etc.

And I suspect that when the conference coaches vote, they will put more into who Doc Rivers says should be backup center (Sheed vs Shaq vs Illaguakas) than the lobbying that Pat Riley will do for Shaq, Mike Brown for Illgaukas and Flips Saunders for Rasheed Wallace.

I think that Doc is going to make a strong case for Ray Allen based on his leading the team in minutes played (identical to PP), and the team's whopping lead over the rest of the league in all team defensive categories (points scored, shooting %, etc.).

I also expect Doc to make a strong case for Paul Pierce, which I think he has a better chance to win. But, if Pierce gets on, Richard Jefferson or Caron Butler likely won't.

[No1CeltsFan]

I didn't say the Coach did I was saying "if he does" because some1 else did. I know the coaches vote. Anways. Doc will make a hard push for Pierce. He's already made that clear last week in the Herald that he will call around and had already made a few "you vote for my guy, I'll vote for yours" type of calls.

Personally, I know RJ has had a career year, but his team is terrible. Not only that Kidd and Vince are pretty much locks. Not too mention, I'm still not sure if they should have 2 reps going to NO. Kidd definitly. Byt too me they aren;t good enough to have 2 reps. No way should RJ make it over Pierce and the same goes for Vince over Carter. If the Nets have 2 reps and the C;s don't get the Big 3 there that's a joke. I mean I don't think it's going to happen, but the C's have a shot at 70 game realistically. That has too count. Like I said above the Pistons got 4 starters on the team the year they we on pace for 70. I'm sure everyone remembers Pierce being called the 5th Piston that game because he was on the 2nd unit with them. We deserve the Big 3 too make it end of story IMHO.

[return2glory]

Damn, some of yu guys are such homers. There is no way you pick Ray Allen over Redd. Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace, Andre Iguodala and A. Jamison also deserve to make the team more than Allen.

Pierce and KG deserve to make the team. But there are lot of players than our having a better year than Ray Allen.

[Big Baby]

Damn, some of yu guys are such homers. There is no way you pick Ray Allen over Redd. Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace, Andre Iguodala and A. Jamison also deserve to make the team more than Allen.

Pierce and KG deserve to make the team. But there are lot of players than our having a better year than Ray Allen.

When Detroit had their amazing run two years ago, the coaches chose FOUR Pistons (Sheed, Ben Wallace, Billups and Rip Hamilton) to the All Star games.

The C's are having a better season thus far than the Pistons did two years ago. So why shouldn't our THREE main catalysts be All Stars?

AT LEAST FIVE Celtics will represent Boston this year at the All Star games:

KG
PP
Ray
Rondo (Rook-Soph game)
Big Baby (Rook-Soph game)

3-pt contest:
Posey (maybe)
House (maybe)
Ray (maybe)

[BadWolf]

Michael "No-D" Redd, Vince "No-D" Carter, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Jason Richardson and Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

Only J-Rich plays some D out of this bunch, Carter, Rip, Allen are more or less the same, while the two Mike's are a step lower, I guess.

Dwight, Lebron, KG, Wade and Kidd
then there could be like this

C - Sheed (or Bosh)
F - Pierce
F - Butler
G - Billups
G - Johnson (it's close, could be Allen or Richardson or even Carter with Calderon as a dark horse)
R - Bosh or Smith
R - Wallace, Jamison or Jefferson

Boston 2 (3)
Detroit 2 (3)
Orlando 1 - Lewsi and Turk are hurting each other, could give one a place though
New Jersey 1 (2 or 3)
Washington 1 (2)
Miami 1
Cleveland 1
Toronto 1
Atlanta 1 (2)

other candidates - someone from Indy, probably Dunleavy, Hedo, Shard

rookies - i'm not sure Davis is a lock, could go though
Horford, Yi, Durant, Green, Conley, Noah, Young and Young, Thornton, Law
sophomores - rondo should be a lock, though ou never know

[Friar Dan]

Reserves don't have to "fit" positions like the starters on the ballots do. that said, look for Bosh to be the backup C (although I think Sheed is the 12th man named).

Starters: Kidd, Wade, LBJ, KG, Howard
Reserves (locks): Billups, Pierce, Butler, Bosh
Reserves (I think): JRich, Jamison, Sheed

Just missed: Josh Smith, Rashard Lewis, Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon, Rudy Gay, Gerald Wallce, Michael Redd, Ray Allen

[BakersDozen]

Kidd - Wade - James - KG - Howard

Billups
J.Johnson
Pierce - Butler
Jamison - Sheed
Bosh

i think Id rather see Ray get the rest, even though it seems he has turned the corner. Some players I think would be great in an all star game and have a legit shot of getting in... Josh Smith,Gerald Wallace, J Rich, Richard Hamilton... Ill puke if Shaq gets in.

[UGA Hayes]

Joe Johnson has not been playing well this year at all, no way he makes it.

[Man_Up]

Billups
M.Redd
Pierce - Butler
Bosh - R.Wallace
J.O'neal

[return2glory]

Joe Johnson has not been playing well this year at all, no way he makes it.

22.1 ppg, 4.2 rbs, and 5.4 assists per game. Very similar #'s to Pierce.

[GuyClinch]

Like it or not return to glory - the all-star game isn't a fantasy game. Guys will get picked if their team is doing well. It's happened to the Pistons in the past and it should happen to the Celtics as well.

Guys on good teams sacrifice their numbers for winning - as they have other good players that hurt their stats. This is considered when it comes to the extra coach selected picks.

So does JJ have better stats then Ray Allen - sure. But his team stinks. That matters.

Pete

[eitanr]

It's 5 starters...5 reserves and then 2 wild card slots.
PF K. Garnett/ C. Bosh
SF L. James/ P. Pierce
C D. Howard/ R. Wallace
SG D. Wade/ R. Hamilton
PG J. Kidd/ C. Billups
WC C. Butler/ J. Smith

-I think the reason why Allen doesn't make it is because he really has not had an impressive season. His PTS will obviously be low b/c of PP and KG, but his FG% and 3P% are also almost career lows...no excuse for that.

I think Josh Smith has to get on as the 12th man here. He is having a remarkable season and is the sole reason why Atlanta is in playoff contention.

[TommyPoints]

I agree with a lot of what has posted. I have to say that I am thinking Ray has a great shot based on reputation and some of the big shots he has been making though. All of the Celtic hype of the big 3 can't hurt at all either.

[UGA Hayes]

-= original quote snipped =-



22.1 ppg, 4.2 rbs, and 5.4 assists per game. Very similar #'s to Pierce.

42% shooting, 36 3 pt%, lower FT attempts in 41 minutes for Jo vs 45%, 38% in 38 minutes for Paul. Also subjectively I have watched 95% of Hawks games this year and he is playing his worse year as a Hawk.

[eitanr]

Ya if a Hawk is making it, it's Josh Smith (and he should). Smith is among the league leaders in blocks, his points and rebounds are up and he's been healthy.

[peteyjones13]

get jose in there as a backup guard in the east