Feb
16, 2001
NBA
BASKETBALLAll-Stars - - - - -
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The
Almost All-Stars By
INSIDEHOOPS.COM
Each
year, a bunch of guys who perhaps played on an All-Star level but fail
to make the All-Star team gripe about being "snubbed." The fact is, some
of them don't make it simply because of other players who are as good as
them but more established (read: older) in the league, while others don't
make it because of their attitude or repitution. Lets run through a list
of some top 2001 NBA non-All-Stars (in no particular order):
Steve
Nash, Dallas. Are we kidding? Nope. Nash is one of the league's
most improved players, as as evidenced by the Mavericks' lousy record when
he's hurt, Steve keeps this team functioning properly on the offensive
end. It's understandable that he didn't make the team, but he's on his
way up. We don't expect him to transform into the next Gary Payton anytime
soon, but he should keep steadily improving.
Steve
Francis, Houston. The heart and soul of the Rockets. Starting soon,
look for him to make the team and keep making it for the next decade.
Sam
Cassell, Milwaukee. Close but no cigar. Sam has a valid point that
he's about as deserving as Ray Allen, Allan Houston, or Latrell Sprewell.
Elton
Brand, Chicago. Elton is the only NBA player to average 20+ PPG and
10+ RPG to not make the team this year. The only logical reason for him
to not make it is the fact that the Bulls barely win any games. If they
were at least semi-competitive, he'd make it. So, maybe next year.
Antoine
Walker, Boston. Offensively, he's an All-Star. Defensively and attitude-wise,
he's lacking. Coaches don't like players who talk huge amounts of trash
yet lose lots of basketball games. Walker has been even better since Pitino
left and should make it next year (perhaps over Latrell Sprewell, who is
considered a forward) if this continues.
Paul
Pierce, Boston. Great offense and good defense. Perhaps next year.
Antawn
Jamison, Golden State. At 25 PPG, no player who failed to make the
team scores more. While Brand was left off because his team is horrible,
Jamison's Warriors are awful as well but the West is loaded with forwards
as good as he is. Including the guy below.
Dirk
Nowitzki, Dallas. Dirk's a 21.5/9.4 guy who doesn't rack up assists.
Many claimed that he should have made it over Karl Malone. If Malone's
game gets slightly less effective next year (as it did this year) look
for Dirk to slide onto the team.
Shareef
Abdur-Rahim. Great numbers, team never wins games. Reef's put
up All-Star level stats for years now. At least he got to play on the US
Olympic team in Sydney.
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