All Star Reserves Announced

by Jughead on Jan 31, 2008 7:10 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

The reserves for the All Star Game were announced this evening before the game. Predictably, Paul Pierce made the team and Ray Allen was left off the roster. The talk in the locker room was regarding the selection of Joe Johnson and Pierce had the following comments:

I thought Ray should have been there also based on record and what we're doing team-wise. He's very important to what we're doing.

Paul went on to say that he felt Ray should have been chosen over Joe Johnson based on the assertion that record should play a signifcant part in determining the selections.

I think you should be at least .500 team or better. I mean, no knock on Joe Johnson, he's definitely an All-Star. He's definitely put up numbers and he's definitely a great talent in the NBA, but I think it has a lot to do with what you do as a team also.

Paul's support of his teammate is certainly admirable and exactly what you would expect from him under the circumstances, but it is an interesting take given the years he spent on what, in his words, were "mediocre" teams and still managed to attain the accoloades.

Doc Rivers also sounded off with his thoughts:

I am dissapointed that Ray didn't make the team because I thought he sacrificed the most for our team and I thought coaches should see that and everyone should see that.

Ray does deserve his due credit for the sacrifices he has made and for being the consumate veteran teammate, but his being left off the roster does not come as a surprise to this writer.

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Comments

Ray Allen shouldn’t be an all star, as much as I love the guy. Not this year. The guy is shooting a horrendous percentage from the field, has missed a couple games due to injury, and isn’t doing enough in other facets of the game to compensate for the low field goal percentage to warrant being in there over Johnson or any other all-star.

by soap07 on Jan 31, 2008 9:20 PM EST reply actions

i think he belongs. 18 pts a game, minutes played, excellent defense usually against one of the foe’s better scorers, game winning shots, 90% free throw shooting, plenty of assists and rebounds, and on the winningest team. that is not shabby. the good news is he gets some rest- good for an overused fogey.

by nazzbo on Jan 31, 2008 11:40 PM EST reply actions

Plenty of assists and rebounds?

by soap07 on Jan 31, 2008 11:48 PM EST reply actions

It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t have all three of our stars representing us in the All-Star game, but part of me is happy that Ray didn’t make it because he gets a 4-day weekend to relax and get some extra rest.

I’m really hoping Eddie House can get into the 3-point shootout, however. He has a very quick release, and I think he could do pretty well in it.

by CelticBalla32 on Feb 1, 2008 12:38 AM EST reply actions

I agree with everything nazzbo said. When Pistons had the best record a couple years ago, they had four players selected. And as Doc said, Ray has sacrificed the most to mesh with this team. On the other hand, the rest will do him good.
And Doc needs to limit KG’s minutes in the all-star game.

by scndtony on Feb 1, 2008 2:13 AM EST reply actions

Wasn’t Pierce an All-Star in 2006 for a team with a .402 winning percentage?

by Luke Middleton on Feb 1, 2008 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Rivers shouldn’t play any of his players in that ridiculous meaningless “exhibition”. These guys need rest and healing.

If the NBA did something along the lines of what MLB has done this game might have some meaning instead of it being a no-defense lovefest ala the NHL all-star game.

The players might as well do layup drills.

by iowa plowboy on Feb 1, 2008 11:28 AM EST reply actions