It’s finally here: All Star Weekend! It’s a shortened week, so you get a shortened article. Like New Years Eve, I’m getting hyped up to be let down, the most common experience in life. I’d like to say I’m optimistic for the weekend’s festivities, that the changes to the dunk competition will make the product exciting, but I’m not. Nevertheless, it’s all about expectation. Take your fantasy squad: If you’re like me, you enjoy having a player on your roster being named to the All-Star squad. From my perspective, it increases his value, even though we all know, that it really comes down to the numbers. But I have an expectation that players who have been named an All-Star will live up to that honour.
So now might be the time to buy an All-Star, who has the best part of the season (and his production) left, or to sell high on an All-Star who is overvalued. Understand that there are no steals here. You’ll pay (or receive) for every player listed below. That said, here are a few names to consider:
BUY:
Damian Lillard PG
The Buy section of this article will be pretty short, as there are no bums on the all star list. But I personally believe that Damian still has potential to grow. He shoots the lights out from beyond the arc (40.4%), and his 5.7 dimes per game certainly has room to improve. This is clearly just personal opinion, but I believe him to be the best PG, in terms of potential, behind Chris Paul.
Dirk Nowitzki PF, C
Disco Dirk is old. Oldest All Star on the roster, in fact. But at 35, he’s still pure cash, this is no Kobe-esque all star nod for what he has accomplished in the past. His stats: 21.7/6.1/2.8/.9/.6, shooting a blistering 41.2 3pt%, as well as 49.2% FG%. Pure and simple, he is knocking it out tha park! I feel he has more to offer, because his team will struggle to hold onto their playoff spot, and he will have to step up, if the Mavs have any chance.
Paul Millsap PF
Paulie was always a talent, but he was buried amongst the Utah trees, and in terms of All Star nods, the west is full of talented bigs. Now, in the East, thriving in ATL, he’s got his first invite. His 17.6/8.2/3/1.8/1.1 with a 3pt per is very nice indeed. Like Dirk, Paul is in no danger of beign rested, as the Hawks will need him down the stretch in order to secure their playoff berth.
SELL:
Roy Hibbert C
I know that Roy has 2.5 blocks a game, and that’s amazing, he can single handedly win that cat for you week by week, but his 11.8 points, and 7.7 boards are just… meh. I would rather have Joakim Noah, for example.
Kyrie Irving PG
Again, no bums on this list, I have uncle Drew on my roster, and while he is still producing, he’s no longer the heir apparent for CP3. At least for now. His 21.5/3.2/6.2/1.3/.3 are undoubtedly All-Star worthy, but his numbers are down from last year. Again, just my gut-feel talking, but I’d take Lillard for Kyrie at this point.
Joe Johnson SG, SF
I’m putting on my conspiracy guy hat for this one, but mighty Joe is only on the All Star roster because both NY teams need representation. In his last five games, he’s gone 10.2/2.4/1.4/.2/0 with 1.7 3pt. I said there were no bums on this list, but Joe’s face does have two cheeks. Just sayin’.
Ok hoops fans, I’m off to New Orleans!… that is, on TV, and in my mind. Enjoy the All-Star game.
