So the 2012 NBA Allstar weekend is
approaching us. This will give teams a few days to set themselves end of season
goals and more importantly most players a few nights of well earned rest. I
realise I have not written a blog post in a long time, even though I have said
before that I would try and post more regularly. Here is a post nonetheless.
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| Where the 2012 Allstar Game will be held |
Miami (23-7) were tipped by many to go one
step further than last year and win the Championship and although they have had
a few minor blips and numerous injuries they are half a game back of the Bulls
(24-7) a top the East. LeBron James is on the way to what could be another MVP
trophy but this time he looks like taking his team to glory as well. The aging
Celtics seem to have run out of steam and sit 7th in the East,
although they are still on course to make the play-offs they have had a very
back and forth season and their age is starting to show. Languishing nearer the
bottom of the East are the Raptors (those of you who have read these before
will know that is who I support) and with a pretty poor record of 9-22 they
have looked much improved since the addition of new head coach Dwane Casey.
Finally in the East a Charlotte side that nobody predicted to do well are still
turning out despite having lost 16 straight and have only picked up 3 wins
along the way.
Over in the Western Conference the OKC Thunder
(22-7) is leading the pack into the Allstar break. While below them there has
been a lot of jockeying for position. The San Antonio Spurs (21-9) are on a 9
game winning streak and have got themselves up to 2nd. Last year’s
Champions Dallas (19-11) are in 4th place and are splitting the two
L.A sides with the upstart Clippers in 3rd and Kobe’s unpredictable Lakers’
2 spots below. Although they are only 5 games back of the number 1 seed, this
Lakers’ side have not been anywhere near that of the last few years. As before
they could get help from other players it seems this year they are 100% relying
on Bryant to get the W’s. Veteran PG 2 time MVP, Allstar, future hall of famer
Steve Nash has been having another brilliant season. Leading the league in
assists and the only man averaging above 10 has been selected for the Allstar
game as a reserve. Although many disputed this due to Phoenix’s poor record
12-18 there is no doubt in my mind that he deserves to be on that team this
year.
From this position I predict that Miami
will win the Championship overcoming Oklahoma City in the Finals. It was only a
matter of time until LeBron won a ring and only a shorter matter of time that
it would be going with him to South Beach.
I suppose I should write about the Allstar
Game as that is the title of the post. Rose, Wade, Antony, James and Howard
will start for the East. They are best 5 players of their positions in the East
so it only makes sense. For the West, Paul, Bryant, Durant, Griffin and Bynum
will look to try to put on a show in Orlando. Many people could have probably
predicted those 10 players would be starting the game when the ballots first
opened up. With Paul and Griffin representing the Clippers Lob City will be
moving to Florida on 26th February. The West came out on top 148-143
with Kobe Bryant taking the MVP for the night.
In the other events on Allstar Weekend,
James Jones will be looking to defend his 3 point title against Kevin Love and
Joe Johnson most notably. Blake Griffin will not be coming back for another go
at the Slam Dunk challenge, instead T-Wolves rookie Derrick Williams, Pacers
Paul George, New York rookie Iman Shumpert and Rockets forward Chase Budinger
will be looking to light up the Amway Centre.
It promises to be a brilliant weekend and
run in to the play offs that could end up anywhere. There will be another post
after the Allstar game to round up the ins and outs.
