Re: All-Star game

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

> Personally I don't think Antoine will quite put everything together this
> year, although I hope I'm wrong. I think he'll eventually average
> something above 15 shot attempts per game (he's at 12.5 right now) and
> score 20ppg, 8 rebounds and 4 assists on .470 FG and .770 FT.  If instead
> he gets up to 9+rpg and 5 assists, he'll be a borderline All Star. In
> fact, he'd probably make it.

I think that 20 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 apg, 47% FG and 77% FT and a good record for 
the Celtics near the All-Star break would be enough to put Walker into 
the All-Star game. His rebounding numbers may not be as high this year 
but that could easily be an indication of the team's overall superior 
rebounding. Two years ago he was practically the only guy the Celtics 
could count on to rebound. This year we seem to have a group of people 
who can all pitch in 6-8 rebounds per game.

> As for Paul Pierce, I'm not sure he has the celebrity of a Keith Van
> Horn, Ray Allen, Allan Houston (a dream team member already), Vince
> Carter, Glenn Robinson, Anthony Mason or Marbury/Iverson. As noted
> before, all of them are vying for their first All Star team selection
> this year, plus there are many more other active players who are at least
> 1-time All Star game alumni. 

I'd say that Iverson, Eddie Jones, Allan Houston, Ray Allen, Mitch Richmond,
and Reggie Miller are all in the hunt as potential All-Star shooting guards. 
Wow, the East is deep at this position. I haven't even included Vince Carter
because I personally don't think the Raptors are going to be a playoff team 
but if they are still contending he is definitely a possibility. I think
what gives Pierce a chance over talented scorers that haven't made the
All-Star team, like Finley or Shareef, is that he's going to be on a winning
team (I hope!). I think the coaches that select the All-Star reserves are
well aware that stats mean nothing if the team doesn't win. I mean their
livelihood depends on winning, not having players with good stats.

Overall I think that Antoine will have an easier time making it than Pierce
because the shooting guard depth is so great and Pierce is also a younger
player. But they both have a good shot if the team continues to play the
way it does. Pierce seems to have the capability to go for 25-30 points
frequently this year too. I'm hoping for a big game from him against 
Charlotte.

Alex