5 on 5 All Star Edition

[ballsohard]

1. Who is the biggest All Star Snub/ Who didn't belong on the all star team and why?

The Syndicate:The West were certainly hurt by the injured Kevin Love, who would have certainly been a starter. Outside of that, I ask you a question.

Who would you rather have?:
Player A: 34.5 min, 16.2pts, 5.3rpg, 8.7apg, 44.8 FG%
Player B: 36.2 min, 13.3pts, 4.5rpg, 10.5apg, 49.5 FG%

Player A is All-Star Russell Westbrook. Player B is All-Star snub Rajon Rondo. Not to be a homer here, but well...if the shoe fits.

GM NOLa.: There's no doubt in my mind that this is the hill I die on tonight. Randy Foye should have been in it, but due to injuries he could not participate even though lesser SGs went in his place. I'm more than god damn certain most of your readers just now went to the Kings team page and said "Pffft nothing special." No, you aren't special, snowflake. Randy Foye has gotten better each year on my team and is consistently in the top of the league in 3P%, being a key option on my team and providing great defense. I hate that the game punishes teams for being balanced and not having OP players surrounded by nobodies stuffing stats like Durant, Klay and Anthony Davis. Whatever.

InnerGI If we disregard Boozer and Love missing because of injury, I'll go with Rajon Rondo. Look he's not at the same level as a Curry or Westbrook, but he is having a career year. The nuggets may be faltering in recent weeks, but Rondo is posting a career best in FG% and APG to warrant at least a ASG honorable mention.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Biggest Snub? Easy. Kevin Love by far. He’s averaging 27ppg and 12 rpg, 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Meanwhile, Andrew Bogut, Los Angeles Laker cornerstone, made the All-Star team. I’m sure this comes down to the part where Bogut is a C and Love has primarily played PF. But it’s absolutely ridiculous that he’s left off… Top 5 Points in league, #1 in rebounds. Unbelievable. Suns fans are on FIRE, rioting is breaking out, and the mascot is going BANANAS. Biggest snub of all time possibly.

Balls O'Hard: I'm going to join in on some homer picks here and say Titan Chandler. Chandler in only 30 MPG is averaging 16 PPG, 10.5 Rebounds, 2 Assist and 3.3 blocks per game shooting 60% on the team with the best record. Titan has been historically underrated his entire career. The man who made it over him? Chris Kaman, a Center for the Nets who is posting lower PER, TS%, Rebound Rate, Assist %, and PPS. What were the voters thinking?!

2. You have a choice to start your team off with 2 players under 25, no limits. Who do you pick?

The Syndicate: Well this is going to be a boring question with boring answers. If cap is a factor, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis. If cap is no object, Durant and Kevin Love. If Durant and Paul George didn't play the same position, he's a fine choice, as is Steph Curry, but if I'm starting a team, I'm taking a Durant and a big.

GM NOLa.: Klay Thomson and Anthony Davis no doubt in my mind. Read my last answer above and you'll see why. No one comes close to these two in terms of youth and talent, and the sky is the limit for both. Together they may not be the most talented in defense, they make up for being pure scorers at their position at such a young age.


InnerGI Easy. Durant and Curry. Durant is the new OP, and anyone that doesn't start their team with him is overthinking it. I'd then take the best PG I can to pair with Mr. OP. PGs are worth their weight in gold, and any team that doesn't have a star PG is always looking for a star PG.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: While I’m partial to Enes Kanter, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Khris Middleton… my 2 picks would be Kevin Love and Stephen Curry. I clearly made my case for Kevin Love with my answer to #1. The guy is just fantastic and a matchup nightmare. It was incredibly tough picking between Westbrook and Curry… Westbrook is a triple double machine, and Curry is incredibly efficient on offense and plays some semblance of defense that is passable for a player of his offensive prowess. Since it was so close, I decided to let strength be my deciding factor and went with Curry.

Balls O'Hard:The first one is easy. Kevin Durant. He's easily the league's most dominant player, as he drags the Clipper's dead corpse to the playoffs year in year out. The second one would be Anthony Davis. I know Kevin Love seems like the better pick here, but Davis is already a All Star at 19, he's more athetic and he's just bursting with potential.

3. Which team is in the worst shape for the next 3 years?

The Syndicate: Well they certainly aren't the least talented squad, but I'm going to have to say the New York Knicks. They don't have a star nor any developing - George Hill is probably their best player, but he doesn't play defense and relies on volume scoring. They are cap-strapped for the next 2-3 years depending on options, and they are locked into the 5-8 seed in the East which means the lotto won't help either. Not sure what the plan is here unless they can unload a few of these long-term salaries and start over.

GM NOLa.: Good god it's hard to choose between the Hornets and the Bucks. The Hornets, keeping alive their tradition, have again given away a high lotto pick to Scott. It's not like this is the first time either, but at least when Nick did it the first time he was a noob. Now, he has no excuse other than constantly trying to sabotage his team. Then you have the Bucks, who are still chasing that first coveted ring that has eluded them since they started their rebuild in the days of Jimmy Carter's days in office. It makes sense that the water hole is performing badly, but FFS EVEN THE ANIMAL DRINKING FROM IT IS DYING. I would die on this hill if it meant trying to convince one of these owners to try something new besides the strategy they've regurgitated since season 1, because both are going to be career sub-.500 teams by end of the season.

InnerGI The Knicks. They have money tied up in mediocre players. They are paying 17M a year for Anderson and Conley to play a combine 29 MPG. That pretty much says it all. The Knicks won't be good for a while after missing out on the 2012 draft and getting shit shoved down their throat in TC.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: I’m going to say the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lake Show are insistent upon building their rebuild around Andrew Bogut (28) and Tony Allen (31). While this amount of loyalty to players is admirable, it’s not really the best route in terms of a rebuild. In fact, a source told me recently that a GM offered the Lakers a young, blue potential big and a lotto pick for Bogut but were told Bogut was off-limits. Such faith in Bogut is great, but would be better placed in someone younger. Fortunately though, the Lakers own all their first round picks for the upcoming seasons. However… by the time their young players (starting with this upcoming draft) develop into players that are starting caliber, Bogut will be either on another team or being paid big-time by the Lakers (and pushing early 30s). Tony Allen is expiring this year, and unless maxed, he could walk for free. A fire-sale needs to start in LA, gotta tear it all down before you build it all up.

Balls O'Hard:I'm going to go a little off the cuff and pick last year's Eastern Conference champs. The Heat are in ok shape this year, but they have a historically high payroll. The Heat went out and maxed OJ Mayo this offseason and have an ultra talented team. The problem is the tax man is coming for him. The Heat will have to make some prudent moves in the next few years to not severely cripple their franchise. I'm definately watching their tema with a watchful eye.

4. What's one trade that NEEDS to happen before the deadline.

The Syndicate: The teams at the top of the leaderboards seem pretty set, and the teams in the middle all have obstacles to getting a deal done. I'll say the Lakers should really trade Bogut, Allen, and Robinson. They are all over 28 but have tremendous value now. The Lakers GM needs to give up on the season and on this core, and retool for another shot at greatness.

GM NOLa.: I've noticed my farm team, the Philadelphia Kings, are having trouble in the weak Eastern conference keeping their #1 seed hopes alive. Really embarrassing coming from a team that borrows my name and older, broken down players. I guess a trade that needs to happen is sending someone like Foye or Granger to the Philadelphia Kings to give them a needed boost. I guess it's hard beating tanking teams in the Central and Atlantic. Real tough grind out there for sure, looks like my farm team needs a subsidized handout (again).


InnerGI The Kings need to cash in some of their chips for a big move/upgrade. It may be time they trade a pick and/or player to take a step forward. They have been accumulating a lot of assets, but it hasn't really paid off. This is season 4 of the rebuild that looked destined to be much shorter.

Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Rockets are on the outside of the playoffs looking in right now. Everyone is getting healthy in the West. On top of that, they are going to be very contract heavy soon once they pay Lawson and try to re-sign Diogu. Now’s the time to strike. They could make a playoff push, but will they is the question? Magic 8 Ball says “Unsure”.

Balls O'Hard: LMA needs to be moved off of the Pistons. He's wasted nearly his entire career in Detroit with Runningback making backdoor bad deals to his pal Coltsguy. It's time to free Anthony Davis and LMA and allow both of them to succeed. As for where he goes, i have no idea, but he should be able to pull a few young guys that can surround Davis.


5. We're at the All star break, Who do you have winning it all?

The Syndicate: It's hard to pick against the two big powerhouses out East. Gun to my head, Philly. But my real answer is that whichever one of those teams doesn't sustain an injury in April and May.


GM NOLa.: Right now it looks like there are 2 legit contenders in the East. Unfortunately for them, since 2005 there has only been 2 times the East became champs. Western conference is where it's at. The East will circle-jerk to an All Star Game that weighs as much as a preseason game, so let them have their fun. Of all the hills to die on, they absolutely love this one. Moving on to the question, I think it's fair to think the Sacramento Kings, who on Skype were referred to as a "Top 3 team in the west if not for injuries." The team is fully healthy and I see this team making a huge wave.


InnerGI 76ers. Best Offense and the best defense. That's usually a good sign. Also the East is a wasteland of garbage teams, and the 76ers only need to worry about the Hawks. The path to the ECF should be easy for both the Hawks and 76ers.


Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: The Sixers are on a 14 game winning streak, and the Hawks are looking strong as well. The West is a lot more crowded with the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Spurs all within 0.5 games of one another. My pick for the East is the Sixers. Complete team top to bottom (although the Hawks probably have better depth). My pick for the West is the Spurs. Spurs have the tools in place to shut down KD and Bosh. In the Finals… 7 game series again, with the Spurs edging out the Sixers to complete the 2-peat.


Balls O'Hard: I have the Hawks right now. The historically lucky Hawks did it again. They were allowed to add a top player in Carmello Anthony in UFA without giving up anything but salary. They were big money winners in TC, and if they stay healthy; they've got the talent to win it all!

[IamQuailman]

1. Who is the biggest All Star Snub/ Who didn't belong on the all star team and why?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Biggest Snub? Easy. Kevin Love by far. He’s averaging 27ppg and 12 rpg, 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Meanwhile, Andrew Bogut, Los Angeles Laker cornerstone, made the All-Star team. I’m sure this comes down to the part where Bogut is a C and Love has primarily played PF. But it’s absolutely ridiculous that he’s left off… Top 5 Points in league, #1 in rebounds. Unbelievable. Suns fans are on FIRE, rioting is breaking out, and the mascot is going BANANAS. Biggest snub of all time possibly.

2. You have a choice to start your team off with 2 players under 25, no limits. Who do you pick?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: While I’m partial to Enes Kanter, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Khris Middleton… my 2 picks would be Kevin Love and Stephen Curry. I clearly made my case for Kevin Love with my answer to #1. The guy is just fantastic and a matchup nightmare. It was incredibly tough picking between Westbrook and Curry… Westbrook is a triple double machine, and Curry is incredibly efficient on offense and plays some semblance of defense that is passable for a player of his offensive prowess. Since it was so close, I decided to let strength be my deciding factor and went with Curry.

3. Which team is in the worst shape for the next 3 years?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: I’m going to say the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lake Show are insistent upon building their rebuild around Andrew Bogut (28) and Tony Allen (31). While this amount of loyalty to players is admirable, it’s not really the best route in terms of a rebuild. In fact, a source told me recently that a GM offered the Lakers a young, blue potential big and a lotto pick for Bogut but were told Bogut was off-limits. Such faith in Bogut is great, but would be better placed in someone younger. Fortunately though, the Lakers own all their first round picks for the upcoming seasons. However… by the time their young players (starting with this upcoming draft) develop into players that are starting caliber, Bogut will be either on another team or being paid big-time by the Lakers (and pushing early 30s). Tony Allen is expiring this year, and unless maxed, he could walk for free. A fire-sale needs to start in LA, gotta tear it all down before you build it all up.

4. What's one trade that NEEDS to happen before the deadline?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Rockets are on the outside of the playoffs looking in right now. Everyone is getting healthy in the West. On top of that, they are going to be very contract heavy soon once they pay Lawson and try to re-sign Diogu. Now’s the time to strike. They could make a playoff push, but will they is the question? Magic 8 Ball says “Unsure”.

5. We're at the All star break, Who do you have winning it all?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: The Sixers are on a 14 game winning streak, and the Hawks are looking strong as well. The West is a lot more crowded with the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Spurs all within 0.5 games of one another. My pick for the East is the Sixers. Complete team top to bottom (although the Hawks probably have better depth). My pick for the West is the Spurs. Spurs have the tools in place to shut down KD and Bosh. In the Finals… 7 game series again, with the Spurs edging out the Sixers to complete the 2-peat.

[ballsohard]

1. Who is the biggest All Star Snub/ Who didn't belong on the all star team and why?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Biggest Snub? Easy. Kevin Love by far. He’s averaging 27ppg and 12 rpg, 48% from the field and 36% from 3. Meanwhile, Andrew Bogut, Los Angeles Laker cornerstone, made the All-Star team. I’m sure this comes down to the part where Bogut is a C and Love has primarily played PF. But it’s absolutely ridiculous that he’s left off… Top 5 Points in league, #1 in rebounds. Unbelievable. Suns fans are on FIRE, rioting is breaking out, and the mascot is going BANANAS. Biggest snub of all time possibly.

2. You have a choice to start your team off with 2 players under 25, no limits. Who do you pick?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: While I’m partial to Enes Kanter, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Khris Middleton… my 2 picks would be Kevin Love and Stephen Curry. I clearly made my case for Kevin Love with my answer to #1. The guy is just fantastic and a matchup nightmare. It was incredibly tough picking between Westbrook and Curry… Westbrook is a triple double machine, and Curry is incredibly efficient on offense and plays some semblance of defense that is passable for a player of his offensive prowess. Since it was so close, I decided to let strength be my deciding factor and went with Curry.

3. Which team is in the worst shape for the next 3 years?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: I’m going to say the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lake Show are insistent upon building their rebuild around Andrew Bogut (28) and Tony Allen (31). While this amount of loyalty to players is admirable, it’s not really the best route in terms of a rebuild. In fact, a source told me recently that a GM offered the Lakers a young, blue potential big and a lotto pick for Bogut but were told Bogut was off-limits. Such faith in Bogut is great, but would be better placed in someone younger. Fortunately though, the Lakers own all their first round picks for the upcoming seasons. However… by the time their young players (starting with this upcoming draft) develop into players that are starting caliber, Bogut will be either on another team or being paid big-time by the Lakers (and pushing early 30s). Tony Allen is expiring this year, and unless maxed, he could walk for free. A fire-sale needs to start in LA, gotta tear it all down before you build it all up.

4. What's one trade that NEEDS to happen before the deadline?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: Rockets are on the outside of the playoffs looking in right now. Everyone is getting healthy in the West. On top of that, they are going to be very contract heavy soon once they pay Lawson and try to re-sign Diogu. Now’s the time to strike. They could make a playoff push, but will they is the question? Magic 8 Ball says “Unsure”.

5. We're at the All star break, Who do you have winning it all?
Will Maukie, BucksNation.Com: The Sixers are on a 14 game winning streak, and the Hawks are looking strong as well. The West is a lot more crowded with the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Spurs all within 0.5 games of one another. My pick for the East is the Sixers. Complete team top to bottom (although the Hawks probably have better depth). My pick for the West is the Spurs. Spurs have the tools in place to shut down KD and Bosh. In the Finals… 7 game series again, with the Spurs edging out the Sixers to complete the 2-peat.

-5

[NickMalone77]

Thank you for your media contribution. Here's +5 for your article Scott. For Doug, Tani, Logan, and Ryan, you may all claim your +5 participation points.

[IamQuailman]

Thank you for your media contribution. Here's +5 for your article Scott. For Doug, Tani, Logan, and Ryan, you may all claim your +5 participation points.

Ninja edit.

[NOLa.]

Thanks nick


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheSyndicate]

<3

[ballsohard]

Wait i did more work why do they get 5 ? I thought we agreed on 3

[Inner_GI]

Wait i did more work why do they get 5 ? I thought we agreed on 3

you lost.