I don’t really buy that argument, though. Then again, if the Magic and the Cavs swapped records, and Dwight was the only Magic player on the team, and the Cavs got LeBron, Z, and Mo, we’d probably be pretty pissed.

To be honest, I’m shocked that Lewis made it. Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Vince Carter are three guys who are probably having better seasons.

I guess I’m saying I understand the griping, but only to an extent. And I don’t understand hwo anyone can say, with a straight face, “Jameer Nelson is not an All-Star, but Mo Williams is.” As Basketbawful pointed out this morning, Williams’ stats are nearly identical to Allen Iverson’s, and he’s the one starter everyone complained about. And Williams is the third-best Cav, behind Big Z. So I don’t want to hear about how Mo got snubbed, because it’s only a snub if you deserve to be there in the first place.

Ray, Rajon, and Vince have a right to be upset, though.

The West on the other hand, is a pretty botched roster. Shaq and David West make it but Melo and Jefferson don’t? Please.

Anyway, Jameer was a lock to make the team weeks ago. I haven’t heard a good case against him at all since the team became official. Rashard deserves to be there as well. He’s the most prolific three-point shooter in the league on a team that has burned the likes of LA, San Antonio, and just recently Cleveland.

IF, Big Z was healthy I would take Rashard off the team and bump Bosh to the foward spot. That would be the only scenario where Rashard wouldn’t deserve to make it.

For the record on the West, Al Jefferson getting no love is terrible. The guy is an animal, whereas Amare, this year, has been nothing short of woeful.

Shaq, I believe may just scrape being just about worthy. A number of times, he’s turned back the clocks and shown that he is certainly still serviceable.

ray allen should. simple as that.

"Lewis shouldn’t be there. Ray Allen should. Simple as that."

Based on what? Stats? Big shots? Team record? Because you’re a Celtics fan? Why Allen, and not Lewis?

Whatever case that can be made for Allen, can likely be made for Lewis. Although, as this article already pointed out, Lewis’s stats compare nicely to Pierce’s; who is arguably the Celtics best player.

I personally would have no problem with Ray Allen making the All-Star team. He is an All-Star. But that still doesn’t mean Lewis doesn’t deserve to be there, because he does.

You win some, and you lose some. Just like last year when many thought Hedo Turkoglu should have been there…

I think the team record should have some influence on who makes the team. The fact of the matter is there have been a lot of players over the years that have put up big, yet phantom numbers, on losing teams which has kept them from making All-Star teams. Players who put up big numbers on a horrible team just don’t deserve to be there in my mind. If they’re team is at or close to .500, I can buy it, but not if you’re team is at the bottom of the barrel. Corey Maggette comes to mind…

However, there can be exceptions…

Example: A case can be made for Al Jefferson. He is one of only three players this season averaging 20/10, and although their team record is only 16-28, they’ve been much improved 10-3 in the New Year.

"The only three players that were legitimate snubs in the East are Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Vince Carter."

I’ll agree a case can be made for any of them, but how “legitimate”, I’m not sure…

I obviously think of Ray Allen as an All-Star, so there is no argument there.

As for Vince Carter, his stats make a case for him, but his teams 20-26 record doesn’t, especially considering he’s the second best player on the team. I’d be pissed if a team had two players in the All-Star game with a record like that. A team with two "legit" All-Stars should not have a 20-26 record; because their record says otherwise.

And then we have Rajon Rondo. I’ll admit, I’m not a fan. Now would I want him backing up Jameer Nelson, hell yeah, but is he an All-Star, no; not in my book anyway. I would have a serious problem if Rondo was on the All-Star team. He is a product of a lineup that has three multi time All-Stars, season MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year. When the game is on the line, Rondo isn’t even the Celtics forth option. He knows his role, and he plays is well, but in no way would I consider him an All-Star. Honestly, I’d pass on him for the fact that he still can’t shoot a jump shot… But that’s just me…

"An All-Star is an All-Star, regardless of how a player’s team performs."

"A great player is a great player regardless of which team he’s on."

I’m not sold on either of those statements. And I’m pretty sure they could be forever argued; something we will never do. Afterall, it’s only the All-Star game.

There are plenty of guys who have went out year after year, and put up great yet meaningless stats for losing teams, who where rarely considered All-Stars. Another name comes to mind; Juwan Howard. He’s a guy who put up more than solid numbers for over a decade, but they were mostly much meanlingless. I never thought of him as an All-Star (despite making it one season), or a great player (although he was paid like one); yet he had plenty of years of production in the NBA that says otherwise.

I’ll say this about Rajon Rondo. If he ever makes the All-Star team, I expect it to be a single nod, based upon a great team he is on, not because of the numbers he’s putting up. Although we’re hitting a contradiction now, because isn’t that what would have gotten him on the All-Star team this season? I mean honestly, would Rajon Rondo’s name being mentioned now had he not be on the Boston Celtics? Good luck convincing me of that one.

You did mention his defense though. Although, defense rarely lands guys in the All-Star game. It’s happened a few times, usually when a position is lacking depth. But it has happened… One time All-Star Horace Grant comes to mind. Two time All-Star Dennis Rodman also comes to mind. I don’t consider Rondo’s contributions to the Celtics anywhere near to what these players did though.

Thanks for the assit with Jamison. Antwawn Jamison is a perfect example as relates to how a team performs. His stats are nearly identaical to last seasons, yet last year they were a playoff team, and this year they are not. Was Jamison even considered for a spot on the All-Star team this season?

Want another example? You need to look no further than his teammate Caron Butler. Again, he’s putting up nearly identaical numbers to last season, yet again, another player that wasn’t even considered.

I guess they are both still considered All-Stars in your book?

The only difference from last season to this season is that their team sucks, whereas last season, they were a playoff team. So you’re going to have a tough time convincing me or many others that a teams performance shouldn’t be considered.

Lastly, I didn’t dismiss Rondo simply because he doesn’t have a jumpshot. Even if I think it’s embarassing that a point guard in the NBA that doesn’t have one… I never did dismissed him because of that though. I kind of remember making mention of umm, 3 future Hall of Famer teammates as to why he really isn’t an All-Star; rather the beneficary of being surrounded by them.

To me, Rajon Rondo is to Boston, what Derek Fisher is to the LA; neither I consider All-Stars. To me, they are both great role players; nothing more. Although Rondo is young, so he still has time to get better. But I would be surprised to see his game elevate to an "All-Star" level once KG, Pierce, and Allen are no longer surrounding him.

As for him being "the engine that makes the Celtics go". There have been plenty of those guys, Avery Johnson of the Spurs comes to mind. How many times was he an All-Star?

It’s a fun debate, and you are entitled to your opinion; but in my mind, KG is "the engine that makes the Celtics go" without question.

dude should absolutely be there. i don’t care how many pg’s you have on the team, he deserves it (though i don’t think pierce does, as he’s having only a decent season by his standards).

rather than just naming a bunch of people that are deserving, you have to start to take into account how many get in and actually have an opinion. paul pierce is not having his best season up to this point, and anyone around the celtics can tell you allen has been absolutely their mvp.