All-Star reserves were announced yesterday, and as always, there were some deserving players no included on the teams. A look at who was snubbed, and why they probably didn't make it:
West
G Baron Davis, Warriors
This year’s King of Snubs is probably the first one added as an injury replacement. David West? Really?
G Manu Ginobili, Spurs
He’s having a great year, but the league has started to take the Spurs’ success for granted, so Duncan is the only Spur in the game.
G Tony Parker, Spurs
They definitely weren't going to give a spot to both of them, and they probably split the vote enough to keep both of them off the team.
G Kevin Martin, Kings
He is developing into one of the league’s top scorers and was likely left off since he missed 17 games with an injury.
G Deron Williams, Jazz
Chris Paul is getting most of the publicity, but Williams is quietly the second-best young point guard in the league. Guess he was a little too quiet to be on the All-Star team.
F Josh Howard, Mavericks
He was an injury replacement last year and could find his way there again. He’s really come into his own this year, but couldn’t break through the crowded Forward class.
C Marcus Camby, Nuggets
The Nuggets already got two starters on the team, and they haven't
been good enough this year to warrant three All-Stars despite Camby's
stellar season.
C Chris Kaman, Clippers
No one expected him to make the team, but his rock-solid season and dominant emergence would be worthy of the nod.
East
G Jose Calderon, Raptors
Like Kaman in the West, no one expected Calderon to make the team, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t deserving. He’s helped carry the Raptors in T.J. Ford’s absence and is one of the most efficient point guards in the league.
G Michael Redd, Bucks
The Bucks stink, which is likely why he was left off. If he didn’t play in the anonymous market in Milwaukee, he’d probably be on the team.
G Ray Allen, Celtics
He's been pretty good, but didn't deserve to be there more than the guards who made it. If he had made the team, it would have probably been more of a reward to the Celtics' record than Allen's performance.
F Hedo Turkoglu, Magic
If you asked anyone at the beginning of the season who the Magic’s second best player was, they probably would have said Rashard Lewis. Not anymore.
F Gerald Wallace, Bobcats
Wallace’s all-around talent is finally shining since he’s stayed fully healthy for the first time in his career. A bad Bobcats team is to blame for his disinclusion.
F Richard Jefferson, Nets
Jefferson’s career-high 24 points per game don’t seem so impressive when you consider the Nets 19-26 record. Still, he’s playing the best ball of his career and deserves consideration.
C Shaquille O’Neal, Heat
Just kidding, he doesn’t deserve it anymore.
-Scooter Hendon, Hoops Nerd
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