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Making a case for the Warriors' Monta Ellis to be an All-Star
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Monta Ellis is the third-highest scoring guard in the West behind Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul.
When Monta Ellis dominated 2009 All-Star Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Warriors teammates Anthony Randolph and Anthony Morrow declared Ellis a must-have in this year's midseason classic.
Through Saturday night, 48 percent of the voters in a poll on this site agreed with Randolph and Morrow and said Ellis could be an All-Star this year. Of course, the voters, presumably all Warriors fans, were still a little euphoric after Ellis' 34-point, 8-assist, 6-steal night and the Warriors' fourth win of the season.
So it got me thinking, and asking myself a few questions. Such as:
-- Who was the last Warrior to actually make an All-Star team?
-- How many Warriors have made an All-Star team in the past 30 years?
I looked up the answers, and will give you a chance to think about it before providing them later in this article.
The All-Star ballots were released almost two weeks ago and though it's not yet Thanksgiving, it's never too early to think about who should get to play on Valentine's Day in Cowboys Stadium. (Fans can vote for the starters at arenas, online and even on their cell phones. Go to nba.com for more info).
So, realistically, what are Ellis' chances of making the team?
Well, there were 24 guards on the ballot and you can eliminate some of the competition right from the start. Stephen Jackson, we know, is no longer in the Western Conference. Allen Iverson isn't even in the league right now, having cleared waivers after being released by the Grizzlies. Kevin Martin, besides playing for the obscure Sacramento Kings, is out up to eight weeks with a wrist injury. Houston's Tracy McGrady hasn't played a single game and if, and when, he does come back, it won't be long before he gets hurt again.
I think we can safely cross off Leandro Barbosa, Andre Miller and Ramon Sessions from the list. Houston's Aaron Brooks is having a better year than I thought (16.8 points, 5.8 assists) and shouldn't be hastily eliminated without consideration. OK, I thought about it. He's out. So is Manu Ginobili, who is cool because he can snatch bats out of the air, but can't healthy and doesn't even start for his own team.
So now we're down to 15, including the five who made the West squad last year: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Tony Parker and Roy.
Bryant, of course, is a lock to make the team. Paul, if he doesn't miss too much time with his ankle injury, can make reservations for Dallas as well. Roy is the best of the other three, but I'm going to put all three in the have-a-shot category.
The two others I think need to be there -- at least at this point in the season -- are Steve Nash (16.8 points, 11.8 assists), leading the surprising Suns to the conference's best record so far, and Utah's Deron Williams, who is averaging 19.8 points, 9.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
So if five guards go from the West again this year, there are 11 candidates for the final spot. Here they are (alphabetically by last name) with their averages so far this season:
Chauncey Billups, Nuggets: 16.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.2 steals. Comment: The co-leader of one of the best teams in the league. (See: West power rankings)
Baron Davis, Clippers: 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.1 steals. Had better numbers with the Warriors and didn't make it.
Monta Ellis, Warriors: 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.3 steals. Ranks first in scoring and steals on this list and is tied for fourth in rebounds and fifth in assists. Oh, and he can play defense, can't he Roy?
Josh Howard, Mavericks: 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.3 steals. Has only played three games, but could put up big numbers if healthy now.
Jason Kidd, Mavericks: 7.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.8 steals. Hard to be an All-Star when you don't score at all, but he's the hometown guy and could be a sentimental choice for his final appearance.
O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies: 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals. Will play for the sophomores, but unlikely a gunner from Memphis will make the big team.
Tony Parker, Spurs: 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.6 steals. Numbers are down from last year and has played in only seven games for the thus-far underachieving Spurs.
Jason Richardson, Suns: 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals. A favorite with Warriors fans, but does that translate into All-Star votes from fans across the NBA?
Brandon Roy, Blazers: 19.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.3 steals. Hard to say he deserves to go over Ellis with Friday's game so fresh in the memory.
Jason Terry, Mavs: 17.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals. Another hometown guy and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
Russell Westbrook, Thunder: 16.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals. A second-year player who may not be known well enough to make it despite an impressive start to the season.
Based on that roster, you have to consider Ellis a legitimate candidate, especially if he continues to show leadership and defensive prowess. And if he continues to play 48 minutes per game, he'll have lots of opportunities to put up big numbers.
On the negative side, he plays for the Warriors, who are 4-8 and haven't had an All-Star since ... got your answer ready? ... Latrell Sprewell in 1997. Kind of coincides with the team's playoff drought, doesn't it.?
Besides Sprewell, who made the All-Star team in 1994, 95 and 97 before being suspended and shipped out for choking his coach, the Warriors have had only five other players make the All-Star team in the past 30 years: Tim Hardaway ('91-93), Chris Mullin ('89-93), Joe Barry Carroll ('87), Sleepy Floyd ('87) and Bernard King ('82). The six of them combined for 14 All-Star games.
Maybe it's time for a new name on this list. Anyone want to vote for Monta?
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