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Florida-Connected Snubs Abound in NBA's Rookie Challenge
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Location: Blogs The Sports Blog |
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| Posted by: Gregory Broome |
1/31/2008 2:07 PM |
Former Gator Corey Brewer is feeling small today, having been left off the roster for next month's Rookie Challenge, also referred to as the Festival of Mis-timed Alley-Oops.
Brewer is joined by his former teammate Joakim Noah, a more surprising snub who is having a decent and considerably more interesting rookie campaign, and Florida State product Al Thornton, who is playing well for the Clippers.
The rosters:
SOPHOMORES: Brandon Roy, Blazers; LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers; Rajon Rondo, Celtics; Daniel Gibson, Cavaliers; Jordan Farmar, Lakers; Rudy Gay, Grizzlies; Andrea Bargnani, Raptors; Ronnie Brewer, Jazz; Paul Millsap, Jazz.
ROOKIES: Kevin Durant, Sonics; Jeff Green, Sonics; Al Horford, Hawks; Luis Scola, Rockets; Mike Conley, Grizzlies; Juan Carlos Navarro, Grizzlies; Yi Jianlian, Bucks; Sean Williams, Nets; Jamario Moon, Raptors.
I'm thinking Navarro ought sit this one out, considering he's 27 years old. This game cries out for an age limit, though it's hard to get worked up over something so fluffy. I'd give Thornton the nod over Noah, regardless. Note that Horford made the team - it's always the quite ones who get you.
You may recall another former Gator, David Lee, winning MVP honors in the sophomores' 1,568-1,345 victory last year.
By the way, here are my picks for the All-Star Game reserves, to be announced tonight:
EAST
The starters:
C Dwight Howard, Magic
F Kevin Garnett, Celtics
F LeBron James, Cavaliers
G Dwyane Wade, Heat
G Jason Kidd, Nets
My reserves:
C Chris Bosh, Raptors
F Gerald Wallace, Bobcats
F Caron Butler, Wizards
F Hedo Turkoglu, Magic
F Richard Jefferson, Nets
G Chauncey Billups, Pistons
G Joe Johnson, Hawks
My final cuts:
C Shaquille O'Neal, Heat; G Michael Redd, Bucks; F Tayshaun Prince, Pistons; F Josh Smith, Hawks; F Antwan Jamison, Wizards; F Paul Pierce, Celtics; G Ray Allen, Celtics; G Rip Hamilton, Pistons; G Ben Gordon, Bulls; G Jose Calderon, Raptors.
Turk and Wallace are two of my favorites, so it's nice to see them have a chance at making the squad. Jamison, Pierce and Allen are the toughest outs, but I'd argue that Butler and Garnett, respectively, are the primary difference-makers on those teams. I fully expect to be wrong on Jamison and Pierce.
WEST
The starters:
C Yao Ming, Rockets
F Tim Duncan, Spurs
F Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
G Kobe Bryant, Lakers
G Allen Iverson, Nuggets
My reserves:
C Marcus Camby, Nuggets
F Josh Howard, Mavericks
F Carlos Boozer, Jazz
G Brandon Roy, Blazers
G Baron Davis, Warriors
G Chris Paul, Hornets
G Steve Nash, Suns
My final cuts:
C Tyson Chandler, Hornets; C Amare Stoudemire, Suns; C Chris Kaman, Clippers; F Al Jefferson, Timberwolves; F Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks, F Shawn Marion, Suns; F David West, Hornets, G Deron Williams; G Tony Parker, Spurs; G Manu Ginobli, Spurs; G Tracy McGrady, Rockets;
It's hard to leave Dirk off, but choosing him feels more like habit than anything else. I'd take West anyway if I had another slot to fill. Roy and Davis are narrow choices over Parker and Williams, but I wouldn't be too upset if it was reversed. I love Iverson, but if he weren't starting I'd consider leaving him off.
The All-Star roster selection I always find interesting, but the game itself is often unwatchable. It's like the sports version of the Academy Awards. |
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Re: Florida-Connected Snubs Abound in NBA's Rookie Challenge |
By Allapattah on
2/12/2008 5:26 PM |
| Brewer and Noah play team ball, as opposed to most of the rookies chosen for this silly event. |
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