Links: The All-Star B Team
The B stands for blue collar…
When I’m watching random League Pass games late at night, I not only try to write down the odd and probably overlooked parts of the games — like when the hometown announcers rail about their team not getting calls — but I’m also always writing down stuff about the people playing the games, guys who are a little under the radar and probably deserve more attention than they receive.
This is why I’m creating the All-Star B Team. These are the guys who make League Pass worth owning. For instance, Antawn Jamison will not make my All-Star B Team, not because he isn’t an excellent player, but because he’s supposed to be one of the best players on his team — we already know that. I want to dwell on those who are generally overlooked.
So I decided to make an entire game for these guys to play in, these guys I tune in to watch night after night. They aren’t the best players on their team, probably aren’t even the second-best on their team. They will almost definitely not make the All-Star team this season, but I felt they deserved to be highlighted in some way, because they always seem to be putting in the work without being recognized.
The jerseys are on the way, fellas.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
C: Andrew Bogut (MIL) — Took him a while, but the big fella is finally starting to show flashes of big-time potential. Problem is they’re still just flashes. He’s averaging career highs in ppg, rpg and bpg.
PF: Joe Smith (CHI) — He seems like he was born in this era, yet the Bulls forward has outplayed Big Ben (arguably) and (certainly) Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah thus far.
SF: Marvin Williams (ATL) — Averaging 16 ppg and is the best spot-up jump shooter on the Hawks. Still doesn’t create much on his own, however.
SG: DeShawn Stevenson (WAS) — I love his fight and his moxie. He’s basically only averaging 9 ppg and 3 (apg and rpg), but he’s a tough defender and he hasn’t missed a game all season.
PG: Jose Calderon (TOR) — He averages the fewest mpg of any player in the top 10 in assists per game, but he still puts up 12 and 8 every night and has been awesome filling in for TJ Ford.
RESERVES:
Keith Bogans (ORL), David Lee (NYK), Sam Dalembert (PHI), Bostjan Nachbar (NJN), Jason Maxiell (DET), Udonis Haslem (MIA), Daniel Gibson (CLE), Ray Felton (BET)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
C: LaMarcus Aldridge (POR) — Brandon Roy is getting all the love, and the Blazers went out and drafted Greg Oden to take over on the interior, but LaMarcus Aldridge has very quietly been awesome all season.
PF: David West (NO) — Tyson Chandler anchors the post and CP3 skitters around on the perimeter, while D-West makes his living in between the two. It’s hard to say someone averaging 19 and 9 hasn’t been getting enough attention, but David West definitely has not.
SF: John Salmons (SAC) — With all the royalty in Sacto injured, Salmons has been spawning points all season; he’s averaging 16.3 ppg now, nearly double his career high.
SG: Rashad McCants (MIN) — Averaging 15.2 ppg, well above career high.
PG: Anthony Carter (DEN) — The Nuggs are 15-10 since AC moved into the starting lineup, and he’s had 5 double-digit assist games since Jan. 1.
RESERVES:
Nick Collison (SEA), Beno Udrih (SAC), Andrew Bynum (LAL — inj), Brandon Bass (DAL), Andris Biedrins (GSW), Paul Millsap (UTH — he’s second on the Jazz in rpg even though he comes off the bench), Earl Watson (SEA)
54 Responses to “Links: The All-Star B Team”
Jan.22 at 5:01 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Joe Smith is my favorite Bull–by FAR–this year. Also, he looks a lot like Tupac.
Jan.22 at 5:05 pm
Dan says:
Impressed.
Jan.22 at 5:06 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
West has been awesome night in and night out. I love that when Jose has 3 turnovers it is a sloppy night for him, even if he’s got 12 assists. Joe Smith surprises me every time I watch the Bulls (which isn’t often), and I love DeShawn too. I can only imagine how an already intense player benefits from having someone like Caron Butler around to take things up another notch.
Jan.22 at 5:12 pm
TADOne says:
Being a Pistons fan, I love seeing Maxiell on this list. He plays with reckless abandon and passion. And living in Virginia, I also see DeShawn a lot. Bonus question: Who leads the NBA in most consecutive games with a made 3 pointer? DeShawn Stevenson.
Jan.22 at 5:17 pm
white hot eboy says:
Thanks for the Haslem love, Lang. With Zo gone, he is the only Heat player with heart, night in and night out.
Jan.22 at 5:18 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Thanks for that link, Lang. It’s cool that people 10,000 years ago had perfectly white teeth and were able to keep their goatees so neatly trimmed.
Jan.22 at 5:19 pm
Dan says:
Finally, Eboy, something we can both agree on!
Jan.22 at 5:22 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Ryan, I missed your post earlier re: LeBron comparing “I have a dream” to his nba dream. I responded to you in the Post Up, but, was too late. I felt like I was watching the Miss America pageant where the girls are so close, yet so far away from an answer that makes sense. Still, I felt for him, because I’m sure he is not used to being put on the spot like that, when the topic isn’t his greatness or his game. haha.
Jan.22 at 5:23 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, saying that Joe Smith has ‘arguably’ outplayed Ben Wallace this year is like saying that Britney Spears is ‘arguably’ dumber than Stephen Hawking.
Jan.22 at 5:24 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And that’s 12,000 years ago to you, Ryan. Good thing you’re not teaching math, professor.
Jan.22 at 5:26 pm
struan says:
Someone not in the Canadian Media giving Jose Calderon some love? Impossible. Except Canadian basketball journalists have him pegged in for the real deal.
Jan.22 at 5:29 pm
Co Co says:
Britney Spears is ‘arguably’ dumber than Stephen Hawking. Funny Russ.
Jan.22 at 5:33 pm
DennLive says:
I would have flipped if you left David Lee off your list…happy you recognize the only positive for the Knicks (other than Lil’ Nate playing halfway decent ball)
Jan.22 at 5:35 pm
TADOne says:
I can honestly say I didn’t know Rashad McCants was averaging 15.2 PPG.
Jan.22 at 5:40 pm
Dan says:
I don’t think the T’Wolves coaching staff knows he is averaging 15.2 PPG.
Jan.22 at 5:40 pm
polowthaJon says:
no love for gerald wallace?
Jan.22 at 5:45 pm
underdog says:
I miss one of my favorite player from this list. Josh Childress. By the way, great list Lang. Plus I need to agree, Joe Smith is living his renaissance.
Jan.22 at 6:03 pm
chiqo says:
raymond felton plays for bet. classic.
Jan.22 at 6:16 pm
Truth About It says:
I’d like to give a shot-out to my mans ‘n’ them, Brendan Todd Haywood. David Lee? PU-lease. Let’s compare some per game numbers: David Lee
26 minutes
9.4 points
7.8 rebounds
0.9 assists
1.2 turnovers
0.6 steals
0.3 blocks
78.8 FT%
57.8 FG% Brendan Haywood
27 minutes
10.3 points
7.7 rebounds
0.7 assists
1.5 turnovers
0.5 steals
1.7 blocks
73.0 FT%
52.9 FG% Save for blocks….very comparable numbers. So, you’re going to choose the guy who plays for the crappy New York Knicks over the big man ballin’ and patrolling the paint with tight D on a good Wizards team?
Jan.22 at 6:39 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@chiqo: Glad you got that.
Jan.22 at 6:43 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
wut about linas kleiza?
Jan.22 at 6:49 pm
Dan says:
@Bubba: I think Kleiza lacks the consistency to be an honourable mention like this, but that’s just me.
Jan.22 at 7:03 pm
Big L says:
Love the idea Lang; but actually YOU have the power to put Paul Milsap on a cover! OK, I know that would never happen but I agree with this list. Thanks for recognizing Bogans; he really plays hard and never complains. And Maxiell plays angrier than any player I’ve seen.
Jan.22 at 7:24 pm
chiqo says:
i try to do what i can do when i can do it.
Jan.22 at 7:41 pm
French Toast says:
Yeah Joe Smith RULES. I was wondering when you were going to talk about the great season is making in Chicago. Despite his last two games, he averages 15pts 6rbds on the last 10games in 30mn and if you erase his last two games, he averages 17pts 7rbs.
Jan.22 at 9:07 pm
Captain America says:
Good idea, Lang, AC has really done well with the Nuggets. Joe Smith is ageless. Shaddy is getting better but it’s still a project.
Jan.22 at 9:18 pm
Reggie Evans says:
The B guys should be allowed to run onto the court at halftime of the All-Star game and play a 10 min seven on seven full-court game running clock, much like the kids get to play at the Clipper games.
Jan.22 at 9:39 pm
Michael NZ says:
Spawning points… oh man.
Jan.22 at 10:12 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@Reggie: I’m totally with that. It would definitely be more entertaining than the real game.
@Michael NZ: Glad you got it.
Jan.22 at 10:26 pm
Glen says:
No, Russ. Quincy Douby for the Kings looks like Tupac way more than Joe Smith.
Jan.22 at 11:21 pm
Jomay33 says:
I would like to see a joe smith feature in your next issue. puhleeassee…?
Jan.23 at 12:44 am
dma says:
except LAMA isn’t a center, Lang. but i do love the respect for portland. go blazers!
Jan.23 at 8:36 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
jose calderon is great.
Jan.23 at 8:37 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
mike dunleavy? danny granger? hedo turkoglu? ryan gomes? chris wilcox?
Jan.23 at 10:33 am
MSkittle says:
David West is the most underrated player in the league. You also gotta put Monta Ellis on this list.
Jan.23 at 11:14 am
BETCATS says:
Paul Milsap and Craig Smith should be on the same team.
Jan.23 at 11:14 am
BETCATS says:
and Gerald Wallace deserves the spot more than Raymond Felton. The Man is a beast
Jan.23 at 12:12 pm
Ill WIll says:
How did Monta Ellis and Gerald Wallace not make the lists?!?!?!?
Jan.23 at 12:14 pm
BonK says:
I love ya Lang, but blue collar Rashad McCANTs is NOT. I’m a Wolves season tix holder (I know, I know, greive for me), and watch McCants play night in and night out. I have never disliked a Wolves player more, and I know some other Wolves fans feel the same way. He’s always in foul trouble, a ballhog, a constant complainer, and incredibly smug. He stagnates the offense, plays bad defense, and has a questionable attitude at best.
Jan.23 at 12:20 pm
underdog says:
Gerald Wallace is not underrated. OK, maybe a bit. But he’s still the best player on his team. At least I think he’s much better than J-Rich. Plus who mentioned Danny Granger is damn right.
Jan.23 at 2:19 pm
jbn74sb says:
Turiaf and Fisher. Kaman.
Jan.23 at 2:33 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Chris Gatling made the All-Star team so there’s hope for all the Blue collar guys out there! Bowen and/or Raja is missing..
Jan.23 at 2:35 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Otis Thorpe also made the game, hmm there’s definetly hope..
Jan.23 at 2:39 pm
Chris O says:
When I read blue collar, I was hoping for a rhymefest reference.
Jan.23 at 2:39 pm
Chris O says:
When I read blue collar, I was hoping for a rhymefest reference.
Jan.23 at 4:34 pm
Dallas J says:
Bass! Hope he gets well soon.
Jan.23 at 5:09 pm
Zig says:
Raja Bell???
Jan.23 at 5:21 pm
t-rocc says:
nice to see Joe Smith getting some love - he really has been one of the very few bright spots in this otherwise ugly Bulls season…
Jan.23 at 5:49 pm
thomas says:
earl watson? earl watson?! you lost me at earl watson. oh wait..he’s at the end…
still lost me though lang.
Jan.23 at 5:57 pm
what says:
I’m a Hawks fan. The only All Star team Marvin Williams should be making is the Duck Butt All Stars. The only things he does well are shoot 18-footers and waddle. Shout out to Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
Jan.23 at 6:20 pm
Kevin says:
Jordan Farmar should be inching closer to this list. That guy is instant energy off the bench, and he has been one of the big reasons for the Lakers resurgence this year.
Jan.24 at 3:17 am
crack says:
what about stephen jackson, monta ellis, jason terry, kevin martin and deron williams
Jan.24 at 3:37 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » Links: My All-Star Team says:
[…] Earlier this week I posted my All-Star B Team. Now let’s talk about the actual All-Star teams, since the All-Star starters will be announced tonight on TNT. (And hopefully ESPN doesn’t try to steal the announcements like they did with the MLB All-Star Game.) […]
Jan.27 at 2:04 pm
pete says:
how is david lee not starting????