Eastern Conference

G-Tracy McGrady, Magic
G-Allen Iverson, 76ers
F-Vince Carter, Raptors
F-Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers
C-Ben Wallace, Pistons


Western Conference

G-Kobe Bryant, Lakers
G-Steve Francis, Rockets
F-Tim Duncan, Spurs
F-Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves
C-Yao Ming, Rockets


Final Votes Totals and ESPN.com Story

[ January 29, 2004, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

As long as all-star voting remains in the hands of the fans, this sort of oddity will remain inevitable:

The Eastern Conference voting for Centers is:

Ben Wallace 1,982,251
Alonzo Mourning 414,356 (he hasn't played this season--and in fact has left the game!)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas 356,861
Jamaal Magloire 236,448
Eddy Curry 169,977

~Adam

The casual fans vote for people they know, names they recognize from the past, regardless of how good or bad they are playing (or even if they are playing). And with all the hype over LeBron James, even he didn't get voted in--because the Joe Average fan still doesn't know him yet.

But the coaches can add players, and that's where the real deserving ones should come in, such as Sam Cassell, Peja Stojakovic, Baron Davis, Zach Randolph.

Yesterday, the PTI guys were pondering why Vince Carter leads in voting every year. One of them suggested that with Canada only having one team that he gets the support of the entire country. I just don't believe Canadians care that much about the NBA, the Raptors or Vince Carter. It is mystifying though.

Granted the guy is talented, but he's perceived as being an underachiever and proud of it. Three guys have lead the overall vote totals 4 times or more-Michael Jordan, Julius Erving and Carter. Carter certainly isn't in their category of superstardom.

Agreed. Vince Carter is having a terrible season. Recently the Toronto press even suggested "What if?" trade scenarios.

I'm a huge Raptor fan, but I didn't vote for him. That's for sure.

And now the reserves have been named. LeBron James didn't make the cut! And since he announced he won't participate in the Slam Dunk Contest, the only chance to see him will be during the Rookie Game. I really thought the league would have pushed hard to get James on the All Star team.

Eastern Reserves

Paul Pierce-Celtics
Michael Redd-Bucks
Baron Davis-Hornets
Jason Kidd-Nets
Jamaal Magliore-Hornets
Ron Artest-Pacers
Kenyon Martin-Nets


Western Reserves

Dirk Nowitzki-Mavericks
Peja Stojakovic-Kings
Brad Miller-Kings
Sam Cassell-Timberwolves
Andrei Kirilenko-Jazz
Ray Allen-Sonics
Shaquille O'Neal-Lakers

To promote ambassadors for the future of the game, the coaches should have placed LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Both of these young men have met and even exceeded expectations. They both have their teams in contention for playoff spots in their respective conferences, something that neither team has even had a sniff of in the last five plus seasons. No disrepect to Ray Allen, who missed 21 games already this season, and Jamal Magliore, but neither of these guys should be on the All-Star team. LeBron and Carmelo should have been selected in their place, IMHO!

I was suprised at some of the picks at first, but on reflection it seems that the coaches voted in deserving, workman-like players, many of whom are playing in obscurity.

Michael Redd, Andrei Kirilenko and Jamaal Magloire are not household names, but the coaches have recognized their improved performances.

Brad Miller, Baron Davis and Sam Cassell are having career years--and in Cassell's case, finally getting the recognition he deserves.

The likes of Pierce, Kidd, Nowitski, Shaq, and Ray Allen are just too good to leave out of the All Star game--despite the injuries to Allen & Shaq, and Nowitski's off season.

Ron Artest's and Kenyon Martin's intensity are being recognized despite their bad boy image.

A notable snub in my mind is Zach Randolph, who is 9th in scoring and 5th in rebounds.