Comments on: Joel Anthony is beating Greg Monroe in the All-Star fan voting

By: tarsier

tarsier — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:57:37 +0000

I wasn’t trying to imply that Monroe was competing with Lebron for an all-star berth. I was just using James as an example of how really good players not only get stats but translate them into wins. It would hardly be a shock if this team without Monroe had the same record it currently does. That hurts Monroe’s cause.

By: tarsier

tarsier — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:55:49 +0000

I sure hope not. But I’m guessing it will help his cause. Not enough since NY isn’t winning. But if they were top 4 in the east and Chandler was still doing 10/10 on 70% FG, yeah I think his championship last year would push him over the top into an all star berth.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:54:28 +0000

"Replace Monroe with Lebron, and this team would have home court for the first round of the playoffs."

Monroe is not competing with James for an All-Star spot. He's competing with a bunch of centers who have decent numbers but also players who no one would confuse with franchise players other than Dwight.

By: tarsier

tarsier — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:52:48 +0000

you’re probably right. i only have a handful of people o talk basketball with so i dont really know the public perceptions besides a couple voices and what i read online.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:51:51 +0000

So you think coaches will put Chandler on the team because he won a title last year with Dallas?

By: tarsier

tarsier — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:50:53 +0000

Also, team success matters because it shows the difference between being good (capable of increasing your team’s odds of winning) and being productive (capable of getting big stats). Replace Monroe with Lebron, and this team would have home court for the first round of the playoffs. Obviously, nobody expects Monroe to be James. But my point is that really good players make wins. Usually it takes a couple years before young guys can translate their production to winning. The fact that their all-star selections follow suit seems perfectly reasonable.

By: tarsier

tarsier — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:46:24 +0000

“what he did last year with Dallas is irrelevant to this year’s all-star game, which is based on this season”

While I agree that this should be the case, you couldn’t be further from the truth.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:33:24 +0000

I wouldn't "vote" for him either in the sense that I think he should start over Howard or anything like that. I was more just pointing out that it is a joke that someone like Joel Anthony could be in the top five vote getters and Monroe remains an afterthought.

I don't think he'll make the team and, if pressed, I'd probably pick Bargnani this year as the backup just because he's improved so much, particularly on D. But I do think he merits strong consideration for a spot.

(Also, as a side note, PP is just a hobby. I actually do work full time at a day job and try to be a productive member of society who doesn't just write my nonsensical opinions about sports all day)

By: sebastian

sebastian — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:24:54 +0000

Yo Patrick, I was admittedly a bit smart assery in my initial response, but it was a lure to solicit a response from you; just like the “real job” statement was intended to be.
Truth be told, I really appreciate the work that you do from your desk at PistonPowered. Keep up the good work!
But, I still wouldn’t vote for GM to be on the All-Star team, yet, as the sample size is still too small.
From a fellow Pistons fan.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:33:30 +0000

Love that I get the "Mr. Smarty Pants" tag even though you were the one to break out the smart assery in your original comment.

I'll amend my response to include Bargnani, I'd put him, Monroe and Hawes in the convo for that second center spot.

The rest of your "research" is flawed. Chandler is a role player who has never been an All-Star. Also, what he did last year with Dallas is irrelevant to this year's all-star game, which is based on this season.

Noah is struggling so much that he's been getting benched in favor of Asik or Gibson in fourth quarters. Bogut is stills struggling with injuries. The thought of coaches actually picking JaVale for the backup spot literally made me LOL at my desk (the one I sit at for my real job).

Again, team success has no bearing on selection for this INDIVIDUAL award. It is based on what has occurred this season. THIS season, Monroe is one of the five most productive centers in the league. That could change, he could slump and if he does, that should and will affect whether or not he's a candidate for the team. But as of right now, his numbers compare favorably with anyone you mentioned, and are superior in many cases. Also, not sure what those guys "giving Monroe a game" is supposed to mean, but you do realize that Monroe has out-performed Hibbert, Noah and Bogut in head-to-head matchups this season, right?

It's not being a homer to recognize the statistical leap he's made this season and to say that that's worthy of all-star consideration.