We are only two weeks away from the NBA revealing the NBA All-Star Game’sstarting players (voting booths are still open). Who do you think will make it? Will your favorite player make it? How will your favorite team be represented? Should the fans be allowed to decide the starters? These are always the types of questions faced by fans as any pro league approaches its All-Star event.
Currently, the leading vote getter is Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics. KG has garnered over 1.7 million votes with Cleveland Cavaliers’ Lebron James coming in second with 1.5 million. Rounding out the Eastern Conference vote leaders are Dwight Howard with 1.4 million; Dwyane Wade with 1.1. Jason Kidd rounds this group out with over 800,000 votes.
In the Western Conference, Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers is leading all players with 1.4 million votes. If fan voting stays consistent, these players should make up the West’s starting 5:
Houston’s Yao Ming with 1.2 million, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs with 1.2 million votes, Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets with 1.2 million (Yao had more in the remaining numbers than the other two) and Tracy McGrady with over 900 thousand.
As you can see, the rosters indicate the February 17 th NBA All-Star game will be an exciting one as the Eastern Conference looks to avenge last year’s 21-point beatdown.
What I find disappointing is with the All-Star Game being in New Orleans this year, it would’ve been nice to see the community show more support for New Orleans Hornets point-guard Chris Paul, who only has 330,000 votes (give or take). Paul is one of the best young players in the league and seeing how much the Hornets fans come out to support their team, you’d think they’d be more active in the All-Star voting process, seeing how it is their town and all.
The Golden State Warriors signed guard CJ Watson to a 10-day contract Tuesday, hoping a top player in the NBA’s Development League can become their backup point guard.
Watson, a collegiate star at Tennessee, played in Italy and Greece last year. He is the D-League’s third-leading scorer this season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Golden State hasn’t had a consistent backup this season behind Baron Davis, who’s playing nearly 40 minutes per game. Troy Hudson, the veteran signed for the job last summer, has played in just nine games while attempting to come back from a serious hip injury.
The Warriors had success with a D-League callup last January when Kelenna Azubuike became a consistent member of coach Don Nelson’s rotation.
“(Watson) is playing very well in the D-League, and we need some help,” Nelson said Monday night. “I’ve never seen him play, so I’m as anxious as anyone to watch him.”
