February 5, 2009

Joe Schaller

How often do we see a rising star come fast out of the gate and then stumble down the stretch when it really counts? How is it that the second half of every season is ignored when it comes time for allstar game selection?

I prefer to look at the allstar selection process from two different perspectives. With one I consider only the current season and the other gives half the weight to the previous season. A minutes played bonus is added to TPR to obtain a score.

A few things stand out when considering only the current season.
The Cavs and pundits are apparently upset that Mo Williams was left out however it is Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West who should feel snubbed, not just from the coaches but from their teammates. Mo is a one dimensional scorer while Delonte is as effective a scorer yet a better ballhandler and defender. Williams is terrible on defense. If West hadn't lost minutes to injury he may have sneaked onto my team.
Z's career year has slipped thru the cracks.

If we are considering only the current season both Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo have easily been more valuable to the Celts than the mistake prone Paul Pierce.

Allen Iverson's inclusion on the team is one of the most ridiculous in history. AI has the worst adjusted field goal percentage on the Pistons and has almost single handedly brought down this club yet the media continues to pander to their darling when there should be outrage- is it any wonder the fans still vote for him?

The pundits claim that winning is of primary importance for allstar consideration however they display a double standard between Devin Harris and Al Jefferson- Big Al is deserving, Devin not.
My own TPR formula avoids discrepancies like this since my formula ultimately correlates with point differential and wins.

TPR scale: 180+ MVP, 140+ superstar, 110+ allstar, 85+ starter, 65+ bench

'08-'09 season____TPR_"bonus_score

• G Dwyane Wade Mia_180___14___194
  
• G Ray Allen Bos_____140__12.5_152.5
  
• C Dwight Howard Orl_154___11___165
  
• F Lebron James Cle__215___14___229
  
• F Kevin Garnett Bos__154___8___162
  
  
• G Jameer Nelson Orl__147.5__4__151.5
  
• G Rajon Rondo Bos__132__8.5__140.5
  
• C Chris Bosh Tor____128___15___143
  
• F Dan Granger Ind___142__9.5__151.5
  
• F Rashard Lewis Orl__131.5_13.5_145
  
  
• G Joe Johnson Atl____119_16.5_135.5
  
• G Andre Igoudala Phi_120.5_15_135.5
  
• C Zyd.Ilgauskas Cle_140.5_-7.5_133
  
• F Paul Pierce Bos____122_12.5_134.5
  
  notable guards
  
• Allen Iverson Det___89.5__11__100.5
  
• Mo Williams Cle____104.5_10__114.5
  
• Delonte West Cle___124__3.5__127.5
  
• Vince Carter NJ_____114__12.5_126.5
  
• Devin Harris NJ_____117.5__7__124.5
  
• Jose Calderon Tor___122___2___124
  
• Michael Redd Mil____132__-.5__131.5
  
• Mike Bibby Atl______120__11.5_131.5

My 2009 Allstar Game Allstars; '07-'08 season as well as current season are considered.

Jameer Nelson and Ilgauskas are replaced by Antawn Jamison and Jose Calderon. Their consistency from season to season should be rewarded.
The only AI in this years allstar game should be Andre Igoudala.

East Allstars______score

• G Dwyane Wade Mia__300.5
  
• G Andre Igoudala Phi__278.5
  
• C Dwight Howard Orl__319
  
• F Lebron James Cle___424
  
• F Kevin Garnett Bos___352.5
  
  
• G Ray Allen Bos_______278
  
• G Rajon Rondo Bos____264.5
  
• C Chris Bosh Tor______298.5
  
• F Paul Pierce Bos_____290
  
• F Rashard Lewis Orl___287
  
  
• F Dan Granger Ind_____276
  
• F Antawn Jamison Was_265.5
  
• G Joe Johnson Atl_____263.5
  
• G Jose Calderon Tor___262.5

Total Performance Ratings-- since 1996

1. Scoring
   
2. Scoring Efficiency
   
3. Ballhandling
   
4. Rebounding
   
5. Disruptive Defense
   
6. One on one Defense
   
7. Team Defense
   
8. Team Game Pace
   
9. Schedule Strength
   
10. Projected Improvement or Decline
    
11. Teams Wins Adjustment

Ratings indicate productivity per minute played. See my feature "The TPR Formula" for more information.

• Joe Schaller
  
• 505-722-3103
  
• schaller_6@msn.com