One Weekend a Year: The All-Star Reserves
As promised, below are my choices for each conference's All-Star reserves, presented to you in a refreshingly innovative structure.
For each position, you will find a list of players I strongly considered for the team. The players in bold are my actual choices. Below those names, an approximation of the thought processes that led to these decisions, edited for brevity and content and formatted to fit your screen.
As per NBA rules, I chose a center, two forwards, two guards, and two additional players at any position for each conference.
Eastern Conference
Center
Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Cavaliers; Jamaal Magloire, Hornets
One thing I love is when pointless regulations corrupt an otherwise pure endeavor. Despite my best attempts to quarantine such needless restrictions to certain areas, such as work, politics, and any contact with government agencies, it persistently infects the more pleasant aspects of my life. First I spend my lunch hour trying to change my cell phone company and take my number with me, and now I'm forced to name Jamaal Magloire to my All-Star team. Below you will find no less than seven superior players excluded from my team. But since the NBA requires a reserve center to be named, here he is, the plastic Batman mask at the masquerade.
Forwards
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Hawks; Ron Artest, Pacers; Carlos Boozer, Cavaliers; Donyell Marshall, Raptors; Kenyon Martin, Nets; Lamar Odom, Heat
If you read my last column, you know my feelings on Artest, by far the easiest choice in the East. I just hope someone informs him that this game is supposed to be fun, and to refrain from breaking anyone's ribs.
Odom's versatility and the Heat's superior record give him a slight advantage over Abdur-Rahim, a very good player held back by a lousy team.
Boozer has been a surprise; he has absolutely dominated some games this year, especially the ones LeBron James has missed. However, he's a complementary player with James around. Martin has been good, but the Nets have disappointed, and Marshall has faded after a strong start with the Raptors.
Guards
Chauncey Billups, Pistons; Baron Davis, Hornets; Lebron James, Cavaliers; Jason Kidd, Nets; Stephon Marbury, Knicks; Paul Pierce, Celtics; Michael Redd, Bucks
Leaving Jason Kidd off the All-Star team momentarily made me doubt my own credibility, especially given my inability to find closure with the Magloire travesty. However, Davis is the superior point guard now, emerging as a dominant force with Jamal Mashburn injured. Kidd has prodded the defending conference champs through a lethargic campaign, to a record just barely this side of average; not enough to justify inclusion on this squad.
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