NBA Basketball...ALL-STAR RESERVES ANNOUNCED!!!

Do You Believe In Magic???

In the first of two NBA games, Orlando stepped up to the plate and took care of Cleveland at home, 99-88, in what could be a preview of an Eastern Conference Finals showdown. And the score doesn't indicate just how good the Magic played. Despite finishing with 23, 8, and 8, LBJ had a rough night - literally and figuratively. He shot just 10-27, and was frustrated much of the night, not receiving foul calls he felt he deserved. Cavs coach Mike Brown, was going insane on the sideline about the lack of calls his team was getting, and eventually got T'd up, along with Mo Williams. LeBron did only shoot six free throws so they may have had a point. 

Everything was clicking for Orlando, on the other hand, who hit 11 threes, and got 22 and 18 from Superman aka Dwight Howard, 19 and 11 from Hedo, and 18 from Jameer Nelson. Up seven to start the fourth, the Magic went on a 20-2 run to end Cleveland's hopes for a comeback.

In the other game, the Suns and Spurs faced off in a game reminiscent of what we've seen in the Playoffs for much of the new millennium. Both teams got major play from their stars, making the atmosphere even more playoff-esque. The Spurs prevailed 114-104 behind 30 from Ginoboli, including 18-18 from the free throw line, 20 and 15 from The Big Fundamental, and 26 from Tony Parker. Meanwhile, Phoenix got 28 and 10 from Amare, 20 and 10 boards from Grant Hill, and 16 points and 18 dimes from Steve Nash. Shaq, who was severely outplayed by Timmy D, finished with just 13 points and 6 boards.

ALL-STAR RESERVES....

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• F, Paul Pierce, Boston
• C, Chris Bosh, Toronto
• G, Joe Johnson, Atlanta
• F, Danny Granger, Indiana
• G, Devin Harris, New Jersey
• F, Rashard Lewis, Orlando
• G, Jameer Nelson, Orlando

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• F, Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
• F, Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
• G, Chauncey Billups, Denver
• G, Tony Parker, San Antonio
• G, Brandon Roy, Portland
• C, Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix
• F, David West, New Orleans

Ok. Two Major Beefs: Mo Williams exclusion and David West's inclusion. Rashard Lewis is having a good season no doubt, averaging 19 and 6 boards. But Mo Williams should have made the All-Star team over him without question. The reasoning is simple: Cleveland is the #1 team in the East, so how do they only have 1 representative in the All-Star game? Mo has been having a career year, and is just as much a reason for the Cavs success as King James. MoWill's been good for 17 points, and 4 assists per contest, in addition to shooting 38% from three this season. Although Lewis' numbers are better, Williams' impact on Cleveland, and, as a result, the entire league, should have earned him a spot on the Eastern Conference roster. Orlando, Boston, and Cleveland are all powerhouses, and the most fair way to do it, would be to include two members from each team. Boston has their two in Pierce and KG, Orlando's two should have been Dwight and Jameer, and Cleveland should have gotten Mo Williams, in addition to Bron.

In the West, David West's inclusion on the team is a head-scratcher. No disrespect to D West, because I'm huge Hornets fan, but 7 rebounds as a power forward should not get you on the team. Although he's scoring 20 a game, and N.O. is third in the West, he's been too inconsistent this season. Instead, Al Jefferson should have made the team. Yeah, his team is under .500, but so is Danny Granger's. You can't deny the numbers, though. Jefferson's been good for 23 and 10 every night, and has the T'Wolves playing extremely well in 2009.

The game will mark a reunion between Phil, Shaq, and Kobe....

How does The Diesel feel about it?

Via: ESPN