Notes from TNT’s NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com – Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
The 2012 NBA All-Star starters were announced exclusively on TNT
TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber
Eastern Conference All-Star starters:
Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls Guard
Dwyane Wade Miami Heat Guard
LeBron James Miami Heat Forward
Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks Forward
Dwight Howard Orlando Magic Center
Craig Sager interviewing Chicago Bulls guard and All-Star Derrick Rose on his selection as a starter on the East All-Star team
Rose: “It means a lot knowing that hard work pays off.”
Barkley comments on the selection of N.Y. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony: “Carmelo Anthony doesn’t deserve to be starting for the East. Chris Bosh has played very, very well all season.”
Smith comments on Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh deserving to be a starter instead of N.Y. Knicks Carmelo Anthony: “Chris Bosh has solidified himself as a staple in the All-Star Game this year.”
Webber comments on Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh: “Bosh should definitely be in there too [as a starter].”
Barkley comments on the Philadelphia 76ers on the All-Star East team: “Philadelphia deserves two guys. I just couldn’t decide between Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams.”
Webber comments on the Philadelphia 76ers on the All-Star East team: “You can’t go wrong with either of them [Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams].
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Western Conference All-Star starters:
Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Guard
Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers Guard
Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder Forward
Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers Forward
Andrew Bynum Los Angeles Lakers Center
David Aldridge interviewing L.A. Clippers forward and All-Star Blake Griffin on his selection as a starter on the West All-Star team
Griffin: “It’s an honor to be on the list.”
O’Neal comments on L.A. Clippers Blake Griffin dunk on Monday night over OKC’s Kendrick Perkins: “He [Griffin] is the new Superman. Blake Griffin can have my cape. That dunk is Top 5 in the history of dunks.”
Barkley comments on the Denver Nuggets: “Denver deserves two All-Stars.”
Smith comments on the Denver Nuggets: “Denver deserves two All-Stars…I go with Nene and Ty Lawson.”
Smith comments on L.A. Lakers forward Pau Gasol’s statistics as a possible All-Star: “The problem is that he’s competing with what he’s done in the past. He hasn’t had the same impact on the game that he’s had in the past.”
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Projected Eastern Conference Reserves
Barkley
Chris Bosh Miami Heat Forward
Deron Williams New Jersey Nets Guard
Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks Guard
Josh Smith Atlanta Hawks Forward
Andre Iguodala Philadelphia 76ers Forward
Danny Granger Indiana Pacers Forward
Darren Collison Indiana Pacers Guard
O’Neal
Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks Guard
Josh Smith Atlanta Hawks Forward
Roy Hibbert Indiana Pacers Center
Andre Iguodala Philadelphia 76ers Forward
Chris Bosh Miami Heat Forward
Amar’e Stoudemire New York Knicks Forward
Rajon Rondo Boston Celtics Guard
Smith
Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks Guard
Josh Smith Atlanta Hawks Forward
Roy Hibbert Indiana Pacers Center
Chris Bosh Miami Heat Forward
Danny Granger Indiana Pacers Forward
Carlos Boozer Chicago Bulls Forward
Louis Williams Philadelphia 76ers Guard
Webber
Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks Guard
Josh Smith Atlanta Hawks Forward
Roy Hibbert Indiana Pacers Center
Chris Bosh Miami Heat Forward
Andre Iguodala Philadelphia 76ers Forward
Jrue Holiday Philadelphia 76ers Guard
Ray Allen Boston Celtics Guard
EJ
Rajon Rondo Boston Celtics Guard
Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks Guard
Chris Bosh Miami Heat Forward
Luol Deng Chicago Bulls Forward
Roy Hibbert Indiana Pacers Center
Josh Smith Atlanta Hawks Forward
Andre Iguodala Philadelphia 76ers Forward
Projected Western Conference Reserves
Barkley
Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers Forward
Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies Forward
Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder Guard
Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies Center
Nené
Al Harrington Denver Nuggets Forward
O’Neal
Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers Forward
Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies Forward
Mo Williams Los Angeles Clippers Guard
DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers Center
Tyreke Evans Sacramento Kings Guard
Pau Gasol Los Angeles Lakers Forward
Smith
Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks Forward
Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers Forward
Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies Forward
Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder Guard
Nené
Ty Lawson Denver Nuggets Guard
Webber
Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers Forward
Steve Nash Phoenix Suns Guard
Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder Guard
Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies Center
Nené
Danilo Gallinari Denver Nuggets Forward
EJ
Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder Guard
Ty Lawson Denver Nuggets Guard
LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers Forward
Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves Forward
Al Jefferson Utah Jazz
Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies Center
Kyle Lowry Houston Rockets Guard
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I agree with Chris Webber that of the 2 Nuggets, Gallinari and Nene should represent the team. Gallinari has been by far their best player. Without him, I don’t think they will be in the same position right now. He is the most versatile and all around player in the team. He even plays PG at times and other positions. While I like Ty, he is not a true pass first PG, evidence on his assists. When he penetrates inside he looks more into shooting but is a liability at times when the opposing team has a great defense inside. I believe that he is the most blocked player in the league. With regards to Nene, there are only few good centers in the league.