2010 ALLSTAR GAME PREVIEW
It's showtime. Or at least it's going to be. The 2010 Allstar game is set to take place in Dallas. The biggest surprise though is that rather than it being on the Mavs homecourt, well they've actually laid a basketball court on the home pitch of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.
In the meantime, what's been happening in the regular season? In the East, the Celtics lead the Atlantic division with a 32-18 record but are on a two game losing streak. The Cavs are on an amazing thirteen game winning streak to lead the Central division on 43-11. The Magic may have lost their last game but are still leading the Southeast division on 36-18. Out West, the Nuggets may have lost their last game but still lead the Northwest Division 35-18. The Mavs also lost their last game but are still leading the Southwest division to the tune of 32-20. The Lakers however are on a three game winning streak and are leading the Pcific division with a 41-13 record.
With that done, what do the 2010 Allstar teams look like(please note these are the teams prior to late injuries)?
Let's start with the Eastern conference:
| Matt G's vote | Starter | Matt G's take | |
| Guard: Dwayne Wade(Heat) | Guard: Dwayne Wade(Heat) |  |
Pretty straightforward pick, Dwayne hasn't lost any class this season. |
| Guard: Vince Carter(Magic) | Guard: Allen Iversen(Sixers) |  |
A jawdropper. Carter's been back on form for the Magic this season. Contrast with a not-exactly-vintage season for AI. |
| Forward: LeBron James(Cavs) | Forward: LeBron James(Cavs) |  |
The best individual player in the NBA right now, no questions asked |
| Forward: Luol Deng(Bulls) | Forward:Kevin Garnett (Celtics) |  |
OK, my vote for Luol was a patriotic "it won't work but I'll give it a go". KG's not quite been at his best this season but can't really argue too much. |
| Center: Dwight Howard(Magic) | Center: Dwight Howard(Magic) |  |
Best center in the East no questions asked right now. |
As for the bench: Joe Johnson(Hawks) - can't argue, the Hawks have surprised a lot of people this season and he's one of the reasons why. Rajon Rondo(Celtics) - again, can't argue, has been pretty consistant for the men in green. Derrick Rose(Bulls) - ouch, Luol doesn't get a bench spot but his teammate does. Chris Bosch(Raptors) - consistent player on a consistent team. Paul Pierce(Celtics) - like Rondo, consistent for the Cs. Gerald Wallace(Bobcats) - OK, I haven't been watching the Bobcats much this season but is he really all that? Al Horford(Hawks) - even a slow, aging Shaq might still have done something in the Allstar Game this season and while the coaches may have have wanted to go for a younger player but even then - there are better guys that Horford around.
Now the Western Conference:
| Matt G's vote | Starter | Matt G's take | |
| Guard: Kobe Bryant(Lakers) | Guard: Kobe Bryant(Lakers) |  |
Best individual player in the West, no questions asked |
| Guard: Steve Nash(Suns) | Guard: Steve Nash(Suns) |  |
Still the ultimate point guard |
| Forward: Tim Duncan(Spurs) | Forward: Tim Duncan(Spurs) |  |
Had class in '97, has class today. |
| Forward: Dirk Nowitski(Mavs) | Forward: Carmelo Anthony(Nuggets) |  |
An eyebrow raiser. Melo has proven to be quality but better than Dirk? Er...no. |
| Center: Amare Stoudemire(Suns) | Center: Amare Stoudemire(Suns) |  |
Never thought I'd ever give this guy an Allstar vote but with Yao Ming injured long term, this guy's the best of a mediocre bunch of West centers |
As for the bench: Chris Paul(Hornets) - has certainly been doing the business this season. Brandon Roy(Blazers) - a solid part of an overachieving team in Portland. Deron Williams(Jazz) - one of the main men on a resurgent Jazz side. Kevin Durant(Thunder) - first Allstar game for a guy who's starting to look like the newest member of the NBA elite. Dirk Nowitski(Mavs) - well that was a no-brainer. Zack Randolph(Grizzlies) - been around a while but has suddenly stepped it up this season. Pau Gasol(Lakers) - can't argue with this one.
In the meantime, the Eurobasket 2011 Division A draw has been made, and GB have wound up in Group B alongside Macedonia, Bosnia, Hungary and Ukraine. They way it works in that if we top the group, we're going to next year's tournament in Lithuania, no questions asked. Second place and we're probably going to Lithuania depending on what other teams do, othrwise it's a spot in next year's Additional Qualifying Round. Third place and we're garunteed a spot in the AQR. Fourth and we've probably got a spot in the AQR but might have to fight off relegation to Division B next year. Bottom of the group and we're definately fighting for our lives.
So can we do it - well best I can tell we've avoided the major threats so I say bring these guys on because we'll be in Lithuania next year. Will I be following team GB this year though? Well for the home games, certainly. The away games? Well look at a map of Europe - there are some pretty long hauls in there. Hungary might be doable but that's assuming British fans can even get hold of tickets for that game and at time of writing, there's no garuntee of that. Furthermore we have no idea where 'any' of the matches home or away will be at this point. Interesting situation.
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