I started tinkering around with this trade idea last Wednesday, but never followed up with publishing a post. Today, with Yahoo!’s Marc Spears reporting that the Utah Jazz could face a roster shake-up and Mike Jones, of Mike Jones Sports, reporting that multiple Wizards have asked to be traded, i.e., more than just Mike James, it seems like an appropriate time to float this proposal out there. And no, this is not like Bill Simmons’ silly Utah-Washington-Cleveland idea where the Wizards would lose Haywood, Jamison, Butler and James and only get Shaq and Boozer in return … although my idea is almost as drastic.

So here goes …

Utah has the Carlos Boozer issue hanging over their head, the desire to remain cheap, and is a decent team unwilling to take a big step backwards.

Washington is not in a good way. If you read this blog site, you know this. Shot out to any readers in the Philippines who know this (they really, really like the NBA over in the Phillippines).

Not many ifs, ands, or buts about it, Ernie Grunfeld needs to make a move. He also would like to save some money, or remain “flexible.”

Previously expressing the opinion that all options should be on the table for Grunfeld and that he should avoid straight salary dumps, he goes my proposition …

TO UTAH, Washington sends:

Antawn Jamison
Caron Butler
Mike James
Randy Foye

TO WASHINGTON, Utah sends:

Carlos Boozer
Andrei Kirilenko
C.J. Miles

Cost-Cutting:

In James and Foye, the Wizards are departing with about $10 million in expiring contracts, but gain about $2.3 million in expiring money by adding Boozer’s $12.3 million that the Wizards could let walk this summer.

Heading into the off-season, assuming Stevenson takes his player option for next season and the team handles Dominic McGuire’s qualifying offer situation, the Wizards would have eight players and around $52 million in total salary on the books for 2010-11 (Arenas, Miles, Stevenson, Blatche, Kirilenko, Young, McGee and McGuire). Not much lower than the $53.5 million the Wizards currently have on the books for 2010-11.

However, in the summer of 2011, since there’s a option on Miles for the ’11-12, the Wizards could have $25.7 million set to come off the books (Kirilenko, Stevenson & Miles). Basically, $32.6 million committed to contracts ’11-12 instead of the current $40.3 million.

Would the Jazz save $$?

Well, the Jazz could either keep the incoming parts for a playoff push, or they could trade Jamison to Cleveland for Zydrunas Ilgauskas straight up, and even do it with the under-the-table understanding that they would buy out Ilgauskas so they he could eventually re-sign with Cleveland.

(Note: the only way that Jamison could be traded again so soon, under the standard two-month embargo when the 2010 trade deadline is about six weeks away, is if he’s not packaged with other players … as I understand via NBA Salary Cap FAQ. There could also be some loop-hole workarounds.)

Between Big Z, Foye and Mike James, Utah would have over $21 million coming off the books this summer and will gain Caron Butler, who has a final year contact in 2010-11 that would cost Utah around $7 million less than Kirilenko.

Alternately …

If Utah is adamant about getting back more for Boozer, Cleveland can send them J.J. Hickson, especially if the Jazz would intend on buying-out Ilgauskas. Thus, all players would be packaged in a three-team deal, which works on the ESPN trade machine.

Why?

Cleveland does this for obvious reasons. They want a championship and they’ve been rumored to be wanting Jamison since last year. His style of play would certainly fit with LeBron and Shaq, although he’d clearly have to sacrifice shots. I think Antawn would do that if it meant winning a championship. Although, I must say that the thought of sending Jamison to Cleveland to win a title sickens me.

Utah does it because they save a bunch of money and come out looking decent with Butler and Hickson. Caron is an upstanding citizen and who knows, maybe he would mesh better with a more traditional point guard like Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur. Plus, this trade immediately frees up more time for Paul Millsap. If you’re going to pay the man, play the man.

Washington doesn’t come out all that great, especially with having to trade two great players and community leaders like Jamison and Butler while having to keep Arenas (by the way, I’m assuming here that Arenas is untrade-able and that the Wizards will not be able to void his contract), but they don’t come out all that bad.

Kirilenko still has talent (plus taking on one more year of him at $17.8 million saves more money than three more years of Jamison/Butler at $39 million total), C.J. Miles is young, and Boozer could keep the Wizards in the weak Eastern conference playoff race.

Maybe the Wizards are giving up too much, and maybe they don’t have much of a choice. Who knows. It’s just an idea.

[Tweaks]

There could be several tweaks to a trade between these three teams, such as Jamison and Oberto heading to Cleveland; Ilgauskas, Butler, James and Foye heading to Utah; and Boozer, Hickson and Kirilenko heading to Washington. This tweak certainly fares better for the Wizards. Draft picks could also factor into the fairness of any deal.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• December 28, 2009 -- No Surprise That Wizards Are Cautiously Open For Business
• October 15, 2009 -- Flip’s Well-Oiled 3rd Quarter Offense: Wizards 109 – Cavaliers 104
• June 28, 2009 -- Point, Counter-Point: Why Didn’t The Wizards Get Vince Carter?

7:14: Andray Blatche gets blocked by Mehmet Okur…..a very sad scene to witness. Okur barely jumped, if at all, and Andray took it to the hoop like a four-year old girl chasing after a puppy.

4th Minute: JaVale McGee has got a couple nice offensive boards, but doesn’t use his body/leverage to his advantage. He’s trying to be all arms and hops. So on one, he missed a forced hook and on the second, he got blocked byOkur (who the hell is this guy, Mutombo?).

In the first…..Utah’s passing looks good (6 assists on 9 made FGs = Swiss Cheese Wiz D)….but Deron Williams has four turnovers (two on the first two possessions of the game) to only one assist.

2:00: McGee gets an offensive rebound with two hands, keeps the ball high with both hands on it, and gets fouled on a missed attempt….now that’s the way to do things.

Utah up 25-15 after one – Jazz up 16-6 on points in paint and 3-0 on blocks.

Q2

9:00: Javaris Crittenton needs to protect the ball better….Brevin Knight keeps picking his pocket. Since 1:24 was left in the first, Javaris has 3 turnovers, 2 are Knight steals. (J-Critt gets a tech after the latest)

8:40: Utah should have more assists (than their current 8)…there have been a couple easy misses by Boozer, AK-47 and Millsap.

7:55……Beautiful Play By Utah:

If this sounds confusing, screen shots will be forthcoming.

7:33: Nick Young is getting in a nice rhythm with a drive to the hoop……7 points off the bench (6 in the 2nd so far).

Steve Buckhantz quote: “I’m just happy to get Brevin Knight out of the game.”

Blatche walks a fine line between smooth and lazy looking…teeters rather.

2:37: Dom McGuire didn’t put a body on Harpring.….with both AJ and D-Mac under the hoop, Dixon left Brewer who sneaked in to get an offensive board tip from Harping and the put back dunk.

Phil Chenier advocates for injured players to get back on the court this season so they can get their sweat on.

Steve Buckhantz says that Brendan Haywood is in terrific shape

When I see glimpses of “decent” (or good) Andray Blatche…I’m skeptical of consistency and yearning for even more. Unfair on my part? Sure.

Jazz up 46-36 at the half. Songaila – 8, Jamison – 7, Young – 7; Brewer – 9, AK-47/Millsap/Korver – 6 each

Q3

Nick Young checks in early — for Mike James at the 9:22 mark.

Wiz have kept Boozer out the paint…how? Don’t ask me….I’ll just go with Songaila as the safe answer.

I know Nick Young can make the crazy shots…..wish he took smarter shots though.

5:51: Jazz up 64-43…timeout…..9-0 run capped by a half court lob by D. Will to CJ Miles…..Darius Songaila was running to be the last man back…but CJ Miles wasn’t his man, was he? No he wasn’t Nick Young, he was YOUR man. Songaila had an eye on Boozer.

4:00: Dixon telegraphs pass…….slop fest. Four turnovers so far in the 3rd, Wiz are 2-11 on FGs.

3:53: Double techs on Songaila and Boozer…..dirty Boozer…pulled Songaila’s arm back….when D-Song pushed Boozer off, Carlos gets him in the neck.

3:26…..Booze drove right to the hoop past D-Song from FT line.

76-59 Utah after three.

Q4

More Wizards slop and telegraphing of passes….they’re lazily going through offense like it doesnt matter

8:02: Pecherov with 11 points!!! Off the dribble and over Boozer at the shot clock buzzer.

6:59: Brewer loves steals…look out for that guy. His 16 straight games with at least one steal is the longest active in the NBA.

7:20: Jazz let JaVale get a sweet slam.

6:59: Wiz are getting ridiculous with turnovers….Crittenton has 5 total.

4:45: Kyle Korver is killing….who’s allowing this? 9 points in the 4th.

1:41: Again, McGee keeps an offensive board high with both hands and dunks with the foul. Learn kid, learn.

Wiz kids sometimes look good against the other team’s reserves…..14-4 run to close out the final 3:18 of game.

But Utah wins 103-88.

Random Posts

• July 21, 2009 -- JaVale McGee to USA Basketball Mini-Camp?
• January 5, 2010 -- Shot Out To College From Andray Blatche
• February 5, 2011 -- When Roles Get Lost: Wizards Fall To Magic 110-92

I don’t expect much of anything from Magloire. He certainly won’t supplant Haslem, and I don’t know that he offers an upgrade over Anthony or Blount either. I was among the few who thought he could help when Miami signed him, but after a glimpse of him in preseason, I think he’s finished. The signing was low risk, but it also took a roster spot away from a prospect like David Padgett, an undrafted rookie out of Louisville who gave Miami some decent minutes in preseason and obviously has a much higher ceiling than Magloire. Unless a legit center becomes available in trade, I’ll stick with Anthony spelling Haslem and Blount getting spot minutes.

2) Some will still attest that Chris Quinn should not be receiving significant time on the court for an NBA team. Do you think his play will change opinions? The guy rarely commits a turnover and knocks down open threes…..what more could one expect? What should his role be for the Heat going forward?

Quinn’s a good player, and I think he’s right when he says that perception becomes reality when people evaluate him. He was one of two or three bright spots last year, but spent the summer in restricted free-agent purgatory, came back on a low-end contract and opened the season third on the depth chart, so there’s something Miami doesn’t like. And I don’t think Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra are hung up on appearances if the guy could help them win, so I’m left to assume that Quinn has a fatal flaw I’m overlooking. My guesses are defense (unremarkable), shot selection (he likes the early 3) or just general upside (Mario Chalmers was drafted as a long-term starter). Still, I think Miami is a better team when he gets regular minutes, and I predict he’ll craft a long career out of defying expectations. Hope that happens in Miami.

3) The Heat are positioning themselves to have some money to play with in the future. Who do you want to see on this team in two years? Do you think Shawn Marion has a future role in Miami? Or are you ready to trade him ASAP?

I’m probably more fervent about this than most Heat fans, but I want Marion moved the second a reasonable deal comes along. I think he’s a bad fit on this team in a very fundamental way, and his presence is impeding Michael Beasley from defining himself as an NBA player. The problem, of course, is financial. Miami is among those couple of dozen teams looking to relaunch the brand in 2010, and would probably be one of the more attractive options based on location, the lack of a state sales tax and a decent talent base.

Job one is to resign Dwyane Wade in 2010, and job two is to add to the core of Wade, Beasley and hopefully Chalmers if he develops. That’s a solid if unimaginative plan, and I sometimes think Miami would do well to write off the summer of 2010 and stock up on the stars others teams will be moving to try to get under the cap. Wade and Beasley are a better foundation than many of those teams will be starting with, so it’s not like Miami absolutely needs to land a franchise player. Free agency is such a crapshoot anyway – the best we can reasonably hope for is a Chris Bosh, and it might be better to simply add some quality pieces to Wade and Beasley over the next couple of years rather than taking that home run swing along with the rest of the league. I’d have to see who becomes available. There’s also my least favorite option – the long-rumored Carlos Boozer signing in 2009. I’m staunchly opposed to that, because I think a Beasley/Boozer frontcourt is redundant. But it’s out there.

—————————————-

Thanks again to Greg from the Peninsula Is Mightier. Be sure and check out some of the latest PIM posts: Countdown to Armaggedon: Wade’s Injuries Piling Up and Report: Heat Interested in Knicks’ Eddy Curry.

[photo source: flickr/Erman Akdogan]

Random Posts

• July 1, 2009 -- Finding A Big Man For The Washington Wizards
• December 9, 2011 -- A Couple Washington Wizards Training Camp Musings
• December 14, 2010 -- Picture Breakdown of Amar’e Stoudamire’s Swat on John Wall

The Gentleman Jamison spoke words about the attitude in the locker room and backed them up. Statistically, it wasn’t one of his better games….AJ’s stat line actually teeters on mundane (for his standard). But he made his presence felt…..Jamison was all over the court, getting his hands on loose balls, hitting a huge trey, and overall, TCOB.

The Most Important Stat: Sure, the Wizards out-rebounded, out-stole, and out-blocked the Jazz, but getting to the free-throw line was crucial. I noticed that for about 95% of the night, the Wizards refused to settle and were persistent in getting into the paint….which led to the Wiz shooting 40 free-throws. But the key part, unlike in the Milwaukee game, was that Washington took advantage of getting to the line and made their free-throws, sinking 32 to shoot 80%.

A game to build upon? We can only wait and see. (oh yea, this also happened)

Who Said What From Around The World Wide Web:

• The Washington Wizards not only avoided making dubious franchise history with a 95-87 win over the Utah Jazz last night, they also may have discovered a formula for future success. — It includes plenty of all-star forwards Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, a healthy dose of rookie center JaVale McGee and second-year guard Nick Young, and the kind of fourth-quarter execution at both ends of the court that Coach Eddie Jordan has been looking for, well, since last season.
  [Wizards' Win a 'Relief': Butler, Jamison Carry the Load to Help Avoid the Franchise's First 0-6 Start - The Washington Post]

• Facing the worst start in franchise history, worse than even last year’s 0-5 eyesore, Jordan turned to his oh-so-young bench, which included McGee. Blocking three shots, changing the trajectory of at least 10 more, making Carlos Boozer think toomuch inside the paint, McGee played 27 of the most important minutes of his six-game pro career.
  [Mike Wise: Kid Dynamite - The Washington Post]
• The Wizards had their finest defensive night of the season, limiting the Jazz to 87 points — the fewest of a Washington opponent this season — while racking up 17 steals and 10 blocks. The Wizards forced Utah into 18turnovers and cashed them in for 21 points. They also won the rebounding battle, 42-27. The Wizards also out-did the Jazz 22-16 on second-chance points.
  [Post-game thoughts - Wizards Outlet]
• It’s only a start but it was a good one. There was so much to like last night. The Wizards out rebounded a very good rebounding team. The defense came up with big stops and late in the game DeShawn Stevenson was very effective when matched up with Deron Williams.
  [Day After - Washington Wizards Blog]
• “What we saw tonight was what we can become and what we can be if we work hard for 48 minutes and respect the game of basketball, and we respect that team and that coach and that system more than any in the NBA,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. “That was a quality win against a quality opponent. … And hopefully it’s a sign of what we can be and do on a nightly basis.”
  [Wizards finally get first win - The Washington Times]
• We’ve been banging the drum for years, and don’t mean to pass on giving credit to the Wizards for an admirable win, but the Jazz are going to keep themselves one step short of championship-caliber if they keep fouling players that don’t deserve to be fouled.
  [Behind the Box Score - Ball Don't Lie]
• Not much to say other than this was a game that should have been won and will be one of those games that we look back on in April and wince at when we’re starting out on the road again because we finished a game back in the standings.
  [Recap - Utah Jazz at Washington Wizards - Blame it on the rain, yeah, yeah - SLC Dunk]
• Congratulations JaVale McGee, you’re the next contestant on “Let the Jazz make you look like an All-Star”.
  [11.12.08 Jazz @ Wizards - True Blue Jazz]
• Two other quick thoughts. One… I blame J-Slo almost completely for the game. I won’t blame the refs too much because I didn’t catch the game, but they deserve some of the blame, it seems. (Not to take anything away from the Wizards… they made it a game even when some thought they wouldn’t, and they took it when the Jazz decided they’d rather sit & pick their noses.) And 2nd, the McGee kid. Wow. The last 2 years, both the Jazz & Wizards have gone wing & big-man… with the Wizards having picked first both times. The Wizards ended up with Nick Young & McGee, the Jazz with Almond & Koufos. Early indications have to have the Wizards on top, right?
  [Harpring Returns, Jazz Lose - The Utah Jazz Blog]

Suggested Reading:

• Wiz Discuss Their Win [video via DC Sports Bog]
• Change The Wizards Can Believe In [Stet Sports]
• Sloan and Pollin, A Long-Delayed Reunion [Wizards Insider]

Dagger!

Random Posts

• September 28, 2009 -- Arenas’ Three-Hour Retirement Contemplation, The Death of Pranks, and Less Three Jacking
• January 6, 2010 -- What The Blogger Saw: Wizards Sweep Sixers 104-97
• January 2, 2011 -- What Is Andray Blatche Doing Here?

The Washington Wizards faced the Utah Jazz twice last season and lost both times….here’s what happened:

Game 45: Utah Jazz at Washington Wizards – Feb. 1, 2008
Washington entered a Friday night matchup against visiting Utah with 24 wins on the season. The Wizards started out fast and furious, fueled by a playoff-like atmosphere in the Verizon, and the fact that the game was televised nationally on ESPN. The Wiz led 21-11 at the end of the first, Antawn Jamison outscoring the Jazz himself with 13 points. For the first half, the Wizards held the Jazz to a paltry 36.6% from the floor, but Utah used a 12-0 run in the latter part of the 2nd quarter to keep the Wizards lead to one at intermission.

In the 2nd half, Andray Blatche started off hot….so much that I said I wouldn’t trade him for Pau Gasol….ahh, those were the days. Even though neither team was shooting particularly well, Utah’s offense was efficient, getting assists on 23 out of 26 field goals at one point. Early in the 4th quarter, ESPN reported that the attention craving Gilbert Arenas announced he would return to the court against the New Orleans Hornets on March 2nd…..things went downhill from there. Hubie Brown commented that the Jazz were playing normal basketball while the Wizards had to fight and scrap for everything. Game, Set, Match. Utah Jazz 96 – Washington Wizards 87.

Game 74: Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz – March 31, 2008
Going into this game, I knew that the Wizards would be without both Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels….yet, I still had hope. Well, that pretty much got thrown out the door after one quarter of Boozer and Okur killing en route to a 31-22 Jazz lead. The 2nd quarter wasn’t any better as the Jazz moved the ball extremely well and built a 46-24 lead within the first four minutes….about the time when Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier mailed the game in. The 3rd quarter was just insulting….peddle to the metal all the way for Utah. Going into the 4th, the Jazz were +39 in points, +23 in assists, and +15 in rebounds. The Wizards lost the 4th quarter 24-21 and couldn’t escape SLC fast enough. Utah Jazz 129 – Washington Wizards 87.

Game Day Reading Highlights:

• Truth About It Blogger Q&A with True Blue Jazz
• True Blue Jazz Blogger Q&A with Truth About It

• “There are too many games. If we are at this point a month from now and we are 0-20, I couldn’t be as positive as I am right now. Now, we’re cool. 0-20? Yeah, I’m in Tahiti mentally. But we’re fine right now.” - Caron Butler
  [History on Their Side? Once Again, the Wizards Are 0-5. They Rallied Last Year - The Washington Post]

• The dumbest thing the Washington Wizards could do right now is fire Eddie Jordan. Abe Pollin’s history of patience with employees he likes — and he loves this Jordan — and Ernie Grunfeld’s track record of making smart basketball decisions both suggest the Wizards will be too smart to finger Jordan as the primary culprit for the team’s wretched start. But being the only winless team in the NBA at 0-5 makes these conversations inevitable.
  [Michael Wilbon: They Should Keep Their Head - The Washington Post]
  Bonus: Wilbon takes a dig at Andray Blatche: “A fourth-year player who should be coming into his own, Andray Blatche, is great if you need to find an after-hours party but awfully close to becoming a bust as a basketball player.”
  Thumbs Down: Wilbon suggests that the Wizards get Jamaal Tinsley. Really dude? Really?

• If we improve enough to get to about 43 wins and a first-round exit, we can still fire Eddie in the offseason. In the middle of the season, though, a coaching change rarely makes a positive impact on the team. The only scenario I can envision where it works this time is if we hired Avery Johnson, but I doubt Ernie’s going to do that and I doubt Avery wants to leave his cushy TV position. So don’t fire Eddie Jordan. At least not yet.
  [Don't fire Eddie Jordan ... yet - Bullets Forever]

• That is one of the hard realities before the Wizards. They have become overly dependent on players who would be collecting a significant number of DNPs with other teams.
  [Tom Knott: Season already is potentially bad - The Washington Times]
• And then there was this analysis from ESPN.com’s David Thorpe: “The D-League was made for players like McGee.”

  “I saw that and said, ‘What?’” [JaVale] McGee says. “So I told myself I was going to work hard and be sure that, if I ever did get sent down to the D-League, everybody would say, ‘Huh? Why did they send him down there?’”
  [A memorable motto: Wizards' McGee keeps focus on success - The Washington Times]

Suggested Reading:

• Two of These Wizards Do Not
  Belong [Stet Sports]

Random Posts

• April 30, 2010 -- Ted Leonsis Wants To Play Video Games With A Panther
• December 13, 2008 -- Wizards-Sixers Recent History
• May 13, 2008 -- Not only is LeBron a baby, but he's an a-hole…to his mother

Nevertheless, I was curious about the next “victim” of the Wizards, so I posed a couple questions to the guys at True Blue Jazz who were kind enough to respond.

Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz – flickr/Kris247

1) AK-47 seems to be playing at the level he was at 3+ years ago. What is he doing differently? Do you think he’s truly back to form and out of Sloan’s doghouse….or are you skeptical?

TBJ: Confidence. I was worried about AK coming off the bench because of his attitude. He has totally proven me wrong. He is playing more minutes than he did when he was starting. The biggest thing is that he is playing the power forward spot more. This allows him to be effective around the basket, just like he was 3 years ago. I think AK will certainly rival Manu for 6th man of the year if he keeps this up. Jazz fans couldn’t be happier to see the old AK back to his stat sheet stuffing ways.

2) How concerned are you with Carlos Boozer opting out after this season and leaving Utah high and dry? Do you envision him being part of the team’s future for years to come?

TBJ: Very Very Very concerned. He has screwed people before (both figuratively and literally). If Larry H. Miller goes blind during the season, all bets are off. One of our bloggers has a personal source saying that Boozer will stay IF the Jazz are winning. If this is the case, there is no better time to win than right now. All that being said? I wouldn’t bet a wooden nickle that he is here next year.

3) Be honest, not four years ago when Jerry Sloan’s Jazz won 26 games all year, how ready were you for the grizzled vet to call it quits? How much longer do you think before he hangs them up?

TBJ: I thought Jerry was done for sure. That season put more grey hair on him that he needed. I like Jerry’s attitude and toughness. I think it has rubbed off on a few players. However, I think there has been some talent that Jerry hasn’t tapped in to because he won’t give young guys the benefit of the doubt. Jerry will certainly sign an extension for the 2009-2010 season. He has said this is his most talented team ever. Either way, it doesn’t matter what fans think. Jerry has a contact as long as he wants it. Larry Miller loves him and will personally carry his oxygen tank on the court every day if it means keeping Jerry around.

Thanks again to CB Jack of True Blue Jazz for the great answers. Be sure and check my responses to his questions here: TBJ talks with Truth About It, a Wizards Blog

Random Posts

• January 20, 2012 -- DC Council Game 14: Wizards 105 vs Thunder 102: From Subway To Chicken Wings
• December 23, 2007 -- Live Game 26 Blog: Washington Wizards @ Indiana Pacers
• April 6, 2008 -- Lucky 77 Game Blog: Washington Wizards @ Chicago Bulls

EAST FORWARDS: LeBron James & Kevin Garnett

Richard Jefferson and Rashard Lewis are having nice seasons so far. Or course, the names Caron Butler, Zach Randolph, Hedo Turkoglu and Paul Pierce are always in the mix. I’d like to see more from Josh Smith (like maturity) and Chris Bosh before consideration.

WEST FORWARDS: Dirk Nowitzki & Carlos Boozer

A resurgent AK-47 may be in the mix. And I’d bet money the ‘Melo Anthony is as good as there. Shawn Marion always puts up numbers..but then again, he thinks a little too highly of himself. Don’t sleep on Al Harrington or David West either.

EAST GUARDS: Gilbert Arenas & Ray Allen

This one is tough. Okay, I’m almost having to retract the ‘who would make the team right now’ statement by putting Gilbert there. Yup, it’s my DC bias. He will play better. But it’s so hard to leave Chauncey Billups or Jason Kidd out of the starting line-up. Ray Allen is playing really well, he’s up there over the previously mentioned two cause he’s a natural shooting guard. Wait, am I saying Gil is a natural point guard? No, not really. Raymond Felton and Joe Johnson should also be mentioned…and I’m just never comfortable talking about Vince Carter, ever since he quit on the Raptors. J-Rich, TJ Ford, Michael Redd and Igoudala are on the outside looking in.

WEST GUARDS: Chris Paul & Kobe Bryant

Man, the West is guard heavy this year. If you’ve read my previous blog post, I’m putting CP3 on there unanimously. And it has nothing to do with him being ranked #2 (after Marion) among all fantasy players on Yahoo right now. We know that fantasy numbers have nothing to do with it. The kid is just that sick. Plus, he plays for the host city…just an extra incentive. Kobe? Well, regardless of what you, me, or anyone else thinks of him…it’s still Kobe Bryant. But look at all the contenders: Steve Nash, Mani Ginobili, A.I., Kevin Martin, T-Mac, Baron Davis, Deron Williams…even Jason Terry and Leandro Barbosa warrant mentioning. Wow, what a list.

EAST CENTER: Dwight Howard

Hands down. No one else. I really shouldn’t even write anymore. I just want to say that Rasheed Wallace should be about as close to starting over Howard as I am to making it in the league…and he’s the best of the rest.

WEST CENTER: Yao Ming

I know he doesn’t need any help from me, there’s a billion Chinamen at their computers voting for Yao as I type. But plain and simple, he’s the best center in the league and is having the best year of his career so far. Marcus Camby and Tim Duncan would probably be the next most deserving. Amare hasn’t exactly impressed me with his rebounding and defense. Chris Kaman should seriously be considered for a spot. Whudda thunk that?

Thoughts:

Tim Duncan at center? He’s been listed at forward for just about ever. That was the great debate….you had Timmy, Dirk and KG (and, as always, some other random contender). Who do you choose? You’re telling me that now KG moves to the East and makes it easy on all of us, Timmy Duncan is listed at center? Looks like he will never start an All-Star game again.

Why the HELL will Wally Szczerbiak on the ballot? Can anyone explain? Just cause he got lucky and made the team once in 2002?

I knew what they were thinking with Luis Scola…I thought he was going to be Oxy Pad this year (Get it? Break out? No? Ok, I’ll stop). But for some reason, he just hasn’t been able to adjust to the speed of the game and lack of a trapezoid lane.

Don’t they know that Nêne gets injured every year? And should dropping your last name (Hilario) and giving yourself one name be akin to giving yourself a nickname? Well…I guess, if he did it the legal route, it’s okay.

SLAM points out that ‘Chris Wilcox Feels the Disrespect‘ of not being on the ballot.

Speaking of….Fat ‘Toine Walker is on the ballot as a guard? Cat’s a couple milkshakes away from having to pay for two seats on the team plane.

Was putting Luke Ridnour on there a pity move?

Random Posts

• September 22, 2010 -- ShareBullets: Adam Morrison Coming To Training Camp: Deal With It
• March 24, 2008 -- Game 68: Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons: Live Blog
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