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| With Derrick Rose out all season, Irving has assumed the role as the Eastern Conference's best youngin'. |
I think I've made it clear in my past posts about All-Star games that I only care about the NBA All-Star game and I don't believe I'm alone in that school of thought. Yet, even with my favorite All-Star game, there's an issue. I cannot stand the popularity contest that is the All-Star starters portion of the game. Good thing they have the coaches pick the reserves, because sometimes it's mind-boggling when a guy like Jeremy Lin gets into the All-Star game because of one exciting week and some B.S. phenomenon from last year that has basically fizzled out (thank god it didn't happen).
Anyways, since I can't change anything about this current All-Star game situation, I decided to go out and craft my own All-Star game, which will be called the 25 and Under All-Star Game. Anyone under-25 is eligible even if they are already selected to the real All-Star game and they must have played at least 25 games as well. Here we go with the East.
Under-25 Eastern Conference Starters
Guys that missed out because of Injury: Derrick Rose, John Wall
PG: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, 20 years old
23.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 47% FG
It's truly unfortunate that Kyrie Irving plays in Cleveland because he is beyond-his-years good. He controls the game like Chris Paul and might be an even better shooter. This guy can go out there and win you a game in two ways. One, by scoring 45 and burning the building or two, by growing an apple tree out there on the court with his assists. He's coming for CP3's throne probably faster than we expected; he's only 20...
SG: Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers, 22 years old
19.0 PPG, 9.0 APG, 4.2 RPG, 45% FG
Holiday has exploded here in his third season in Philly and has truly assumed the leadership role. If only Andrew Bynum's knees were a little bit healthier and we might be talking about this guy as an All-Pro (more assists, duh). Yes, I realize he's a tad too small to play the SG role, but how can you not have this guy on the court as well as Kyrie. When you're talking about this kind of ball control and fire power in your back court, you cannot pass it up.
SF: Paul George, Indiana, 22 years old
17.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 42% FG
Danny Granger, who? No seriously, Paul George's emergence in only his second year has helped the Pacers more than whether the storm without Granger. The Pacers are 10 games over .500 with George leading the charge and most of it stems from George's great all around play.
PF: Greg Monroe, Detroit, 22 years old
15.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.2 APG
Monroe has the misfortune of playing for one of the league's worst teams, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to be a starter. He's a presence offensively and he's still growing immensely. His post game is elite and his passing abilities as a big man are seriously good. The only issue with Monroe is that he has to get mentally tougher; right now he doesn't impose his will enough.
C: Brook Lopez, Brooklyn, 24 years old
18.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.1 BPG
It's not as much as apparent that Lopez is vital to the Nets success when he's on the court as it is when he is absent. The Nets went 2-5 when he was out of the lineup. I know I placed him on the softie team earlier this year, but he certainly has become a man this season.
Reserves:
PG: Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee, 23 years old
18.7 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 41% FG
Jennings can be a headache at times, overshooting and making silly plays, but his talent is undeniable and he's played under control this season. The Bucks 22-18 record is mostly a result of his maturity and cohesion with fellow wild child, Monta Ellis.
PG: Kemba Walker, Charlotte, 22 years old
17.9 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 43% FG
Now that Walker is actually starting, it really shows how unbelievable he is. We all know how he's a lights-out shooter, but he's really coming along as a point guard. Like many of his 25 and Under teammates, he's been hurt by his squad, but he hasn't let that deter him. One day I imagine Kemba Walker knocking down all types of shots for a Knicks/Lakers/Heat/Celtics type team and I cannot wait.
SG: Demar DeRozan, Toronto, 23 years old
17.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 43% FG
Let me get this out here first, this dude is a HIGH FLYER. Now that we've got that out of the way, DeRozan has really matured. He's a big body at 6'7" for the 2-guard position, and he uses it to his advantage. He gets to the line about five times a game which shows that he uses his size and strength and he's also a great free-throw guy at 84%. Will say he's got to make more threes if he wants to truly blossom as a scorer.
SG: Jordan Crawford, Washington, 24 years old
15.0 PPG, 4.4 APG, 3.8 RPG, 42% FG
The guy most famously known as the "dude that dunked on LeBron" is really the only shining star on the league's worst team. He's been doing the best he can on the offensive end to make up for the loss of John Wall, so the re-entrance of Wall into the lineup should only help him thrive in his own role as a inside-outside scorer.
PF/C: Larry Sanders, Milwaukee, 24 years old
8.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.2 BPG
Sanders isn't going to wow you with a post game or really anything on offense, but damn is this guy good on the defensive end. He's 6'11" with absurd length and he's leading the league in blocks by a legitimate margin. With him and Jon Henson the Bucks will be formidable defensively down low for years to come. He had a triple-double vs. Minnesota with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 blocks...wow.
PF/C: Tristan Thompson, 21 years old
10.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG
Thompson is extremely raw still, yet he is improving. It definitely helps when you have Kyrie Irving feeding you the ball. He will need to shoulder even more of the load as a starter with Anderson Varejao done for the year. It'll take time, but this kid is on the right track to being a solid NBA player.
PF/C: Byron Mullens, Charlotte, 23 years old
11.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.5 APG
Despite only playing 27 games and being one of the ugliest players in the NBA, Mullens had been pretty solid for the 'Cats. He might be a shot-blocker per say, but he does provide solid defense and a solid overall game. He certainly has the potential to be a starter for years. The 'Cats are 3-11 without him and 7-13 with him...just saying.
Western Conference selections will be up tomorrow...
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