David West

[finalfourorbust]

David West 32 points, 7 rebounds as the Hornets beat the Spurs tonight. He was 15 for 19 from the field.

[tacitus]

and he did not get voted to the all star game?

Who on this board did not vote at least once?

[LyonsIsFlyin]

Don't wanna toot my own horn but I voted countless times, DW is flat playing his butt off this season, no worries though, people can't ignore him forever

[Pizza Delivery]

Did anyone hear him last week with Nick Brunker on Full Court Press on 1530? There is a podcast of it on the side of their blog. It's about 15 minutes long. He basically said he's not worried about all star appearances since just winning will take care of that. He also said that the biggest win he's had so far is beating the Spurs for the first time. They are the "watermark" in that league. D West - great player, even better person. Makes us proud!

[MarionHall4ever]

I tuned in to the telecast of the [quote][/quote]New Orleans/San Antonio game at halftime on Saturday. Jon Barry was doing color commentary and he began talking about the wealth of young talent on New Orleans. When he got to David West he said, "He's the best player in the league that nobody has heard of." Not the greatest grammar, but, for the moment, probably an accurate observation. You've got to ask yourself though, how long can somebody be averaging 19+ points and 9+ rebounds a game and continue to labor in anonymity?

[tacitus]

He should be in the All Star game... he has average athleticism for the NBA, but his fundamentals and BBall IQ are through the roof. Such a smart rebounder. Draws lots of fouls and hits his free throws, lots of easy baskets and good passes. Unfortunately the voters want show-offs.

[LA Muskie]

He should be in the All Star game... he has average athleticism for the NBA, but his fundamentals and BBall IQ are through the roof. Such a smart rebounder. Draws lots of fouls and hits his free throws, lots of easy baskets and good passes. Unfortunately the voters want show-offs.

The voters selected Tim Duncan and Carmelo Anthony. Duncan's not a show-off, and I don't think you can expect them not to vote for Anthony -- who, while a show-off, is an outstanding talent.

What likely will screw West is the fact that the NBA put Duncan in the voting as a F to allow him and Yao both to be starters. That means that Camby likely will get selected as a reserve even though he has no business as an All-Star. Because Dirk and Boozer will be selected as the reserve Fs, that leaves West on the outside looking in.

Unless the coaches realize they already have 2 Cs in Duncan and Yao and decide to select the 3 best big men not already on the team. Then West might get in. But that's a very long shot.

[D-West & PO-Z]

He should be in the All Star game... he has average athleticism for the NBA, but his fundamentals and BBall IQ are through the roof. Such a smart rebounder. Draws lots of fouls and hits his free throws, lots of easy baskets and good passes. Unfortunately the voters want show-offs.

The voters selected Tim Duncan and Carmelo Anthony. Duncan's not a show-off, and I don't think you can expect them not to vote for Anthony -- who, while a show-off, is an outstanding talent.

What likely will screw West is the fact that the NBA put Duncan in the voting as a F to allow him and Yao both to be starters. That means that Camby likely will get selected as a reserve even though he has no business as an All-Star. Because Dirk and Boozer will be selected as the reserve Fs, that leaves West on the outside looking in.

Unless the coaches realize they already have 2 Cs in Duncan and Yao and decide to select the 3 best big men not already on the team. Then West might get in. But that's a very long shot.

Actually LA, you said this on the other board as well, but Duncan is not a center. He is and has always been a PF. He was a power forward when Robinson was on the team and still starts at PF to this day. Oberto is the starting Center for the Spurs.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Also there are more than 4 possible spots for F's. There are the starting 2 and the 2 reserves, but then there are also 2 wild cards that can be from any position, and thats where West would hopefully slip in, but unfortunately, although I think he deserves it, he wont get it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Marc,

How does David West get no mention from you guys of being deserving of an all star bid? I can understand the fans being ignorant as they always are in the case of voting for all star games in all sports, but I expected you guys to at least mention the 2nd leading scorer on the best team in the West.

West is 4th in rebounds among PF's in the west, 3rd in scoring, 8th in FG%, 2nd in FT%, 8th in assists, 3rd in blocks, 4th in mins played per game, and 3rd in double doubles.

Do these statistics not warrant at least a mention of DWest being deserving?

Here is a quote from Gregg Popovich after the Spurs Hornets game on 1/26:

"West was really the killer. He was the monster," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He was impossible for us to guard."

I know there are a lot of great PF's in the West, but I think these numbers and his play deserve some recognition. What do you think?

Thanks for your time.

I sent this to Marc Stein after seeing all the guys on espn not even so much as mention David West and the all star game in the same sentence. I am not saying he should be in, although I think the stats are there that he should get a look, I'm saying I would think these "experts" who watch the NBA everyday, should at least mention West.