GarageGabs

We are only a few days away from NBA “All Star Weekend” and I am yet again playing Mike in a shortened week in our fantasy basketball league. Somehow, he and I face each other during All Star Weekend every year.

Anyway, here’s a look at the NBA at the somewhat halfway point and a preview of this weekends all star attractions.

The Denver Nuggets won their 3rd game in a row last night over the Baron Davisless Warriors. Denver celebrated the return of Marcus Camby, but still doesn’t have Allen Iverson back. It also appears that Iverson’s injury will cause him to miss the All Star Game. This was Denver’s 3rd win in a row since my “Anti Colorado” post.

I gotta give it up for the Detroit Pistons. They won their 7th in a row last night, beating the Clippers 92-74. They are 11-2 since Chris Webber joined the starting lineup, and Detroit goes into the break as the best team in the East. As much as things change, they really stay the same.

The Miami Heat currently hold the 8th playoff spot, and are playing much better ball since the return of Shaq Diesel (6-4 in their last 10). Wouldn’t ya know it, Pat Riley is returning after the All Star Break!

Boston has lost 18 in a row now, and host the Bucks Wednesday night, in what may be their best chance to win a game in the next couple of weeks. After the break the Celtics start a 5 game West swing, going through Sacramento, Phoenix, Kobe, Utah and Houston. I’m betting on a Wednesday night victory over the Bucks. If not, the return of Paul Pierce will get them a win at some point or another.

Steve Nash has pulled out of the all star game as well. More important is when he will return to the Suns, who are 1-2 in his absence, including a loss to Atlanta. Skipping the All Star game gives Nash almost 2 weeks to rest his right shoulder. The rest of their February schedule is pretty easy, so I would expect the Suns to wait until Nash is completely healthy before allowing him to return.

Give it up for the Utah Jazz who have gone 5-2 without injured Carlos Boozer. That included wins over San Antonio, Phoenix, and Chicago.
Now, on to the All Star game.

I admit, my first draft of this post was more focused on the All Star Game and who would be playing in it.  I got tired of trying to figure out exactly who was injured, who was replacing who, etc., and so on.

So, with that being said, let me just point out what I think are some glaring mistakes.

Fans that voted the starters should be hung from the toenails for not voting Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash as starters.  Yao Ming and Tim Duncan??? BAH!, whatever!  In the East, how in gods name does Shaq get voted as the starting center??  Do the fans watch basketball.  Dwight Howard should be your starter….no question about it.

Jason Kidd, Carlos Boozer, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Yao Ming.  None of them will play, thanks to injuries.  Kidd might, but I seriously doubt it.

As for the actual game, and who might win…no one really cares.  They play that “and one” type defense for most of the game, so it isn’t like the competition level is up there.  It’d be crazy, if just once, one of the squads came out and played playoff type defense.  That will never happen, I’m just sayin.

I’ll take the under as to how long it takes for a player to throw the ball off the glass to himself for a dunk attempt.

I don’t discuss the “skills challenge”, the “rookie challenge” or any of the other B-list events.  I will discuss the 3 point competition and the dunk contest.

First, the dunkers:

Last years champion, Nate Robinson returns to face 3 first timers.  Dwight Howard, Tyrus Thomas, and Gerald Green.  If you’ve never seen Thomas and Green, here’s the rundown on them.
Tyrus Thomas Dunk Highlights (Youtube)- I like Tyrus Thomas as a game dunker, but I honestly don’t think he’s built for a contest.  If you watch him, he mostly dunks off 2 feet, with power (ala Dominique Wilkins)-  Of course, this isn’t a red flag for dunk contests but he just doesn’t show a lot of creativity in games.  Just pure hops and power.

Gerald Green Top Ten (Youtube)- Ok, Gerald Green is flat out SICK.  I’m picking him to win.  He’s explosive, with huge hops and has mad creativity, even in games.  I think his biggest asset might be his ability to hang.

I’m not going to go into Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard, we’ve seen these guys enough to know what they can do.  I will say that although Howard is a nasty dunker, I don’t see him winning this contest.  I really think it comes down to Robinson and Green.

The judges this year are gonna be a bigger show than the actual dunkers.  Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Dominique Wilkins, and Julius Ervvvvving will determine this years winner.  Those guys know a little bit about dunking.  I’ll take this opportunity to put up some Dr. J highlights.

I used to love the three point contest back in the day when Larry Bird and Craig Hodges used to run things.  Bird didn’t even take off his warm-up jacket!

This year you’ve got an interesting cast:

Gilbert Arenas- Agent Zero isn’t shy about shooting, it just so happens he’s the lowest % shooter in the contest.  Honestly, I think Arenas is in some sort of new stratosphere as far as confidence goes, I see him making at least the final round.

Damon Jones- All this guy can really do is shoot 3’s.

Jason Kapono- The dark horse.  A PURE shooter, hitting 56% of this 3-balls.

Mike Miller- Made more 3’s than anyone playing.  I just don’t like him.

Dirk Nowitzki- Last year’s winner.  Couldn’t believe he won last year, I’ll be surprise if he repeats.

Jason Terry- Nah, don’t think so

I’m gonna say this comes down to Arenas and Kapono, with Arenas edging him out.