Archive for January, 2009

2009 NBA All-Stars Announced

The 2009 NBA All-Star reserves have been announced. The level of talent in the NBA right now is extraordinary, and several deserving players were on the outside looking in. First, though, here’s the full rosters:

EAST STARTING 5

• Dwight Howard
• Kevin Garnett
• LeBron James
• Allen Iverson
• Dwyane Wade

EAST RESERVES

• Chris Bosh
• Danny Granger
• Rashard Lewis
• Paul Pierce
• Joe Johnson
• Jameer Nelson
• Devin Harris

WEST STARTING 5

• Yao Ming
• Tim Duncan
• Amare Stoudemire
• Kobe Bryant
• Chris Paul

WEST RESERVES

• Shaquille O’Neal
• Pau Gasol
• Dirk Nowitzki
• David West
• Tony Parker
• Chauncey Billups
• Brandon Roy

If I were to make a couple of switches, I would have Ray Allen instead of Joe Johnson; otherwise the East looks good (with Rajon Rondo getting consideration). In the West, I would have Al Jefferson instead of Shaquille O’Neal, and I would have considered Carmelo Anthony or Paul Millsap ahead of David West. In the end, I probably would have left him in. He’s definitely underrated.

Devin Harris, Danny Granger and Jameer Nelson are making their first All-Star appearances. Nobody in the West is a first-timer. As well, nobody on either team is currently injured. Give it time …