Was Monta Ellis snubbed from the 2010 All-Star Game in Dallas two weeks from now? Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis is currently sixth in the NBA in scoring at 25.8 PPG. Ranking behind Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade; you couldn’t argue that he deserves an All-Star spot ahead of any of those five superstars. But they all made the team, so that’s a non-issue. The list of All-Stars that made it ahead of him follow: Nowitzki, Bosh, Roy, J. Johnson, Stoudemire, Z. Randolph, and so on down the list. None of these players score more points per game than Monta Ellis.
Forget common-fan knowledge that states that the scoring should precede all else. Perhaps scoring isn’t the biggest indicator on which players should be on the All-Star team. It obviously wasn’t the case this season.
One of Ellis’ biggest flaws is that he is neither a 1 (point guard) nor a 2 (shooting guard/off guard). But for All-Star selections, players are only ranked as guards and there is no distinction between PGs and SGs. Regarding All-Star reserve selections, there are two spots for guards, two spots for forwards, one spot for a center, and two more spots for the last deserving players.
Ellis’ competition for those four spots was Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, and Zach Randolph. No argument can be made for Ellis over Paul so we’ll leave it at that (Currently though, who knows who fills Paul’s spot on the All-Star team). Brandon Roy and Monta Ellis’ numbers are so similar that you could argue Roy was put in based on his team’s superior record; 29-21 Portland vs. 13-33 Golden State. Personally, I don’t believe that the record has anything to do with the All-Star team because it is not an MVP race. Ellis has no shot at the MVP and that is completely reasonable, but as an All-Star, the win-loss record should not be a factor.
While I will argue that point (that W-L record is not important for an All-Star team), I also will state that I’m not saying that Ellis is more deserving than Roy. Their numbers are so similar that it’s hard not to say that it was a factor in the decision making process. Best player on a winning team versus the best player on a losing team. No contest…as long as those players’ numbers are as close as Roy’s to Ellis’.
As much as I’d like to, I can’t conceivably argue that Ellis deserves a berth over stud PG Deron Williams either. He leads Monta in most of the major categories, only taking a big hit in the PPG statistic (25.8 to 19.0).
The real debate comes with Zach Randolph against Monta. Z-Bo has revived his unbelievably consistent career with a remarkable 21 PPG and 11.7 RPG. Again, the argument is the team; and with essentially the same team in Memphis from 2009 without Randolph, Zach has turned the team from a .293 Grizzlies team in ’09 to a .553 team in ’10.
I would love to say that the All-Star selection doesn’t come down to wins and losses, but it does. Sorry Monta, your team just isn’t good enough. If the Warriors are playing .500 basketball, you are undoubtedly an All-Star. Maybe you should request that trade you mentioned earlier this season…
But in all seriousness, with Chris Paul’s injury, it is hard to find a more deserving guard to replace Paul on the roster. Only time will tell.
I can think of a Western Conference point guard more deserving than Monta Ellis... How about Chauncey Billups? The Nuggets have a ridiculous record with Melo on the bench (thanks to Chauncey) and I know you are a Billups fan. Though their numbers are similar (close in most categories except for PPG), you have to take W-L into account. Should Brook Lopez be an All-Star candidate on the 4-win Nets? You can't be an All-Star if you don't carry your team sometimes to force more tallies in the W column. Period.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, there are too many players that are snubbed each and every season. I could argue that Brook Lopez's numbers are deserving. How about David Lee? But honestly, I think Al Horford's teammate deserves the All-Star berth ahead of him.
ReplyDeleteI understand how it all works out...Chauncey's team is better, case closed.
Danny Granger was an All-Star in 2009 with roughly the same numbers as Monta and his team was doing almost as poorly. All I'm saying is that it's easy to see both sides.
Well you know me, I like to be devil's advocate. I think there will be a situation in the near future where there will be a clear All-Star on a terrible team. We will see then how much the coaches weigh their choice based on record. Not one player on the All-Star team is on a sub-.500 team.
ReplyDeleteObviously Josh Smith is the biggest snub. David Lee is deserving, too, and I would choose him over Brook Lopez (with the deciding factor having to with the Nets terrible record). But this is all due to Allen Iverson's hijacking of an All-Star berth. If you have the proper starting guard (Rajon Rondo), this would open up a roster spot for Smith, Lee, or the beloved former Warrior (and Pacers brawler) Stephen Jackson. He should have been in the All-Star conversation after the way he's been able to turn Charlotte into a playoff contender and an over-.500 team.
It isn't a sports debate without a devil's advocate.
ReplyDeleteI won't be beelzebub's advocate on this one though, I agree that Smith and Lee COULD be on the team.
I respect the fact that Iverson believes that he earned his spot on the AS team (he did), but what a lucky guy to have the fan support after such a strange season...He retired, and was still voted to start the All-Star game.