All-Star reserves - place yer bets here!

[BC]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd get the ball rolling and see who you think should make the All-Star teams for the second weekend in Feb. I'm particularly interested in the reserves and the Eastern Conference. No prizes for guessing why :D

Here's my current list :

Western Conference
Starters :
Jason Kidd
Kobe Bryant
Shaquille O'Neal
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan

Reserves
Chris Webber
The Admiral (DRob)
Shawn Marion or Karl Malone (probably the MailMan)
Gary Payton
Rasheed Wallace (will probably just edge out Dirk Nowitzki)
Michael Finley
John Stockton (will probably just edge out Steve Francis)

Eastern Conference
Starters
Allen Iverson
Vince Carter
Tracy McGrady
Theo Ratliff
Latrell Sprewell

Reserves
Elton Brand
Stephon Marbury
Brian Grant (who may just edge out Antoine Walker)
Dikembe Mutombo
Ray Allen
Marcus Camby
Eddie Jones


Now, surprisingly enough it's the guards in the EC which will be a most interesting tussle. Stephon's carrying NJ, EJ's carrying Miami, Ray's all offence and not much D in Milwaukee, and Reggie is down on scoring with Jalen handling the point at Conseco. Add to that you've got Allan Houston partnering Latrell and Jerry Stackhouse carrying Detroit. Ouch!

And I guess not surprisingly it's the forwards in the WC - far too many to fit into 4/5 spots - Webber, Nowitzki, Reef, Marion, Cliffy Robinson (could be a dark horse for his D, but I don't like his chances this time), Sheeds and The MailMan all contending.

It's gonna be fun to see who the coaches choose....

[Marc]

Anytime Theo Ratliff is your top center, you know you are in trouble. The East has some good, young talent in Iverson, McGrady, Carter, and Marbury, but they are so thin upfront, it's not even funny.

[Jersey Devil]

While not on the level as Shaq ... what do you have against Theo to say he shouldn't be top center?

* He's a leader on the team with the best record in the NBA.
* He leads the league in blocked shots by over half a block per game.
* He's top 10 in FG%.
* The Sixers defense is top 5 in points allowed.
* He brings down 12 or 13 points, 8 rebounds per game.
* He is shooting 77% from the foul line (try doing that Shaq)
* He is injury free.
* Centers are hard to come by now-a-days.
* And he's doing all of this while only being 6-10 (shorter than Toni Kukoc, our SF).

Theo definitely deserves to be there. He has been one of the best centers in the league so far this year, none-the-less the East.