[HAWK23]

didn't you guys notice it was almost the same 5 for the west the whole time as well?? and in the 2nd OT Thomas put in Pierce and Ben Wallace etc and took out MJ, TMAC etc and what happened?? 10-2 run and a loss, he was trying to win the game and he kept the game competitve by playing the same 5-6 man rotation for the 4th qtr, and first OT... I think he did a hell of a job

GO THOMAS

[IV]

Its was cold of Thomas not to play certain players in the second half. You could see the disgust in there facing sitting on the bench. Antoine Walker looked like he was pissed off! Hey, i can't blame him.

[33]

I think he was trying to win, but from the players perspective I can understand a little disappointment

[H2O]

Winning isn't as important as giving the players there PT. Period. It's an exhibition game damn it! It is supposed to be a celebration of the players who were voted in, all of them. Thomas had no right to bench guys like Pierce and Walker. They are all stars, it doesn't matter if he likes them or not, they should get minutes because they earned them.
And BTW, Isiahs guy, Jermaine O'Neil cost them that game with that bonehead play. How do you not have Ben Wallace in for defense on that possesion. "It's my team"! Thats just disgraceful.

[Im The One]

After they way Walker performed in the 3 point contest I am surprised he even showed his face in public, and I dont know how Illgaskus got on the team anyway but i'm glad he sat.
He was trying to give Jordan minutes anyway stop complaining, plus you forgot to mention the West didnt change their lineup much.

[IV]

Originally posted by Jmac910!
plus you forgot to mention the West didnt change their lineup much.

Adleman did a good job of getting everyone an ample amount of playing time. Isiah basically screwed Walker, Ilgaukas, Mash, & Pierce.

Isiah Thomas is the loser of the week!

[H2O]

These are the minutes of the Western All Stars. A Good Mix, The starters, except Yao, all got good minutes, and the bench players all logged respectable time. This is what the minutes in an all star game should look like.


WEST ALL-STARS
T DUNCAN F 40 K
GARNETT F 41
Y MING C 17
S FRANCIS G 32
K BRYANT G 36
S MARBURY 15
S NASH 16
S O'NEAL 26
D NOWITZKI 16
S MARION 23
G PAYTON 15
P STOJAKOVIC 13

And here are the minutes for the East. Ilgauskus barely played at all and Walker, 9 minutes. Everyone on the roster in a game with 2 OT's should get at least 12 minutes of play. Thomas should keep in mind that last night was supposed to be about the players!

EAST ALL-STARS
M JORDAN F 36
J O'NEAL F 33
B WALLACE C 24
A IVERSON G 41
T MCGRADY G 36
B MILLER 17
J KIDD 33
V CARTER 25
P PIERCE 18
Z ILGAUSKAS 4
A WALKER 9
J MASHBURN 14

[Jamel Irief]

Funny Adelman played his own player the least minutes because he was injured alternate for Webber. Fewest for a starter was rookie Yao Ming. HE KNOWS HOW THE ALL-STAR GAME WORKS. You don't start Miller over Wallace in either half because it's "your" team. It's not even his team, he's just there because they need a coach for decoration and proper minute disperment. Nobody tunes into the all-star game to see how Isiah Thomas coaches. Brad Miller is the worst player on the East after maybe Jordan yet he played more than Walker, Ilguaskas, Mashburn and it would of been Pierce as well had Zeke not finally wisened up and played Pierce all 5 minutes of the second OT. Pierce is arguable the best player in the East and Thomas had him playing only 13 regulation minutes?

Really I hope the Celtics roast the Pacers and Pierce and Walker rub it in his face afterwards. And I hate the Celtics!

[33]

I believe the whole game was staged and centered around MJ. He took a lot of shots b/c he wanted the MVP and I think the league execs tried to orchistrate (sorry for the bad spelling) the outcome of the game. In order for the east to even compete with the west, players like AI, TMac, and MJ had to stay on the court. It's true that Zeke gave the shaft to a few players but just take into consideration what this weekend was all about......MJ. Maybe they should not have made this a farewell game for MJ and the other players would have got more playing time.


P.S. If Vince would not have given up his starting spot, he may have lost quite a few fans. I understand that he was voted in, but the classy thing to do is give your spot up to some one who has paved the way for you. It seems like the NBA is looking for people with class as well as skills to take this sport to the next level.

[IV]

Originally posted by Jemel Irief!
Brad Miller is the worst player on the East after maybe Jordan.

Jemel, You really hate MJ don't you?

[Scott]

Peirce mainly didn't play much due to Jordan starting out broke. They tried making MJ the MVP so he stayed in longer so he could warrant the MVP trophy. If MJ played better I think Peirce would of played more. The reason Brad Miller started the second half is because he is a good mid-range shooter. By bringing him in it took one of the west big guys outside to guard Miller leaving the lane more open for Iverson and TMac to drive. If you didn't notice Iverson was slicing right through the West in the 3rd quater. You guys need to get off of Jermaine's back as well. He played good D inside and he blocked 4 shots including that Steve Francis layup with about a minute left in the first overtime which led to Kidd being fouled and hitting two free throws (4 point turnaround) without that Jodans shot would of been moot anyway.

[KennethTo]

It was ridiculous how they tried so hard to make jordan the mvp, if jordan didn't shoot so much they probably would have won