So Bynum will be the Starting Center at the All Star game?

Leor_77 · Post #1 » by **Leor_77** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:45 pm

He's obviously leading in votes at center, but did he play enough games this year to still get that spot? Also, just coming off of a knee injury (and being injury prone, in general), you would think that he and the Lakers would want to preserve him as much as they could. Obviously, just the honor of being in the game would be awesome for big Drew...It would also mean that 3/5 All-Star starters would be Lakers.

96 Til Infiniti · Post #2 » by **96 Til Infiniti** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:04 pm

Yao's still leading at Center, so Stern will probably pick the replacement.

KingLakers · Post #3 » by **KingLakers** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:16 pm

The way it looking right now and if Melo is traded before the game the staring West front court could be Durant, Griffin, and Pau at C.

Post #4 » by **Slava** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:24 pm

^ Melo would still play for the West. Iverson did play for the East immediately after his trade to Denver IIRC.

The Skyhook · Post #5 » by **The Skyhook** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:56 pm

I feel like Stern might go with Either Pau or Tim Duncan for the starting Center if it is up to him.

Imadogg · Post #6 » by **Imadogg** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:11 pm

SlavaMedvedenko wrote:^ Melo would still play for the West. Iverson did play for the East immediately after his trade to Denver IIRC.

Incorrect. Iverson would have played for the West. He didn't play that year though cuz he was hurt.

I hope the replacement is Pau. When the league chooses a replacement they never go by the positions on the ballot (thank goodness), so I have a feeling they will choose Pau at center.

Post #7 » by **semi-sentient** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:02 pm

Pau would be a good choice. He deserves it for what he did in Bynum's absence.

Bynum would still be his backup though, right?

Post #8 » by **dockingsched** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:03 pm

bynum is not making the all-star team under any circumstances. if he would have played the entire season he would have earned his way on as a reserve no doubt, but he missed too much time.

LApwnd · Post #9 » by **LApwnd** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:23 am

Pau starts, Duncan back him up at C spot's
Durant/Melo starts unless he's traded but I guess he'll still play for the west based other posters comments.....so backup F left over would be the likes of Odom, Love, Dirk, Griffin....I see it being Dirk & Odom then Griffin getting Dirk spot as I dont think Dirk wants to play in ASG this year with his injurie he still not back yet and there is no time table for his return.

DEEP3CL · Post #10 » by **DEEP3CL** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:09 am

semi-sentient wrote:Pau would be a good choice. He deserves it for what he did in Bynum's absence.

Bynum would still be his backup though, right?

Only if voted by the coaches.

Anklebreaker702 · Post #11 » by **Anklebreaker702** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:10 am

dcash4 wrote:bynum is not making the all-star team under any circumstances. if he would have played the entire season he would have earned his way on as a reserve no doubt, but he missed too much time.

Then why would everyone be ok with Yao getting in if he came back in say early Feb? He was the leading vote getter with only 5 games played?

Post #12 » by **dockingsched** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:32 am

i don't think anyone's ok with yao being voted the starter. if anything, people are probably just used to it by now.

Anklebreaker702 · Post #13 » by **Anklebreaker702** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:19 am

Sounds like a double standard to me. The only one worth the spot is Pau. What has Duncan done all year?

The Laker Kid · Post #14 » by **The Laker Kid** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:34 am

What's the point of voting if Stern will hand pick them anyways????

izzatizzy · Post #15 » by **izzatizzy** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:39 am

Coaches will have to put 2 'natural' centers. Perhaps the decision lies in the primary position of the player unless the voting margins between a PF/C (Pau, Timmy) and the next voted below Bynum like NENE is significant, then they might have to throw in another PF/C.

But YES, due to lack in available healthy Centers in the west, it is likely that Bynum will make the all-star this year, and he will start.

I mean, who would want a NENE to start the all-star for the west?

Post #16 » by **Slava** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:07 am

I'd like to think LO has more of a chance than Bynum this season. His team USA coaches should do him a favor and pick him as this seems to be his best opportunity.

LApwnd · Post #17 » by **LApwnd** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:26 am

Anklebreaker702 wrote:Sounds like a double standard to me. The only one worth the spot is Pau. What has Duncan done all year?

talk bout just looking at the box score.....you think SA has the record they do now w/o Duncan? His #'s are down because he's playing career lows in mins but when he plays he makes an impact.

laduane1 · Post #18 » by **laduane1** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:42 am

They are not going to allow more than 2 Lakers on the All star team. So it is Kobe and looks like Pau. I would say Duncan will be the starter and Pau coming in for a few minutes here and there.

TheHartBreakKid · Post #19 » by **TheHartBreakKid** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:20 am

I hope Pau gets in as a Center and they give a backup forward spot to LO. LO is much more deserving than Drew. It's honestly not even close.

Post #20 » by **semi-sentient** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:40 pm

Is it a sure thing that Stern or the coaches are even going to select the replacement? I forget how that works, but since Yao is out with an injury then wouldn't the next in line get the starting spot (which is Bynum)?

I know he doesn't deserve it, but the All-Star game isn't about who deserves what -- it's about who the fans want to see. It seems kind of lame to me that someone other than the fans would be allowed to select a replacement (which they have with their votes) as far as starters are concerned.