February 2, 2009 11:48 PM
Paul injury could open All-Star door for Anthony, Billups
By Chris Tomasson
Rocky Mountain News
If you need additional evidence on Chris Paul's meaning to the Hornets, check out their stock-market like collapse Monday when the point guard was lost for the game with a groin strain.
They led by as much as 20 points over Portland in the third quarter and were up by 17 late in the quarter when Paul was lost for the game. They ended up losing 97-89.
Considering groin strains can linger and Paul's extreme importance to New Orleans, it wouldn't be surprising if team officials kindly suggest he skip the Feb. 15 All-Star Game in Phoenix, for which he was named a starter.
If Paul must be replaced, that could change the fate for two Nuggets players:
--It could open the door for forward Carmelo Anthony to be a West injury replacement for the second time in three years, and to make his third straight All-Star appearance. While it's true Anthony doesn't play Paul's position, that sometimes hasn't mattered in the past, with commissioner David Stern merely saying he has chosen the player who had the most votes without being named a reserve.
--It could lead to guard Chauncey Billups starting an All-Star Game for the first time after being a reserve the past three seasons. If Paul can't go, Lakers coach Phil Jackson, the West coach, would choose the starter. It would seem reasonable Jackson would go with a point guard, which would then make Billups and San Antonio's Tony Parker the candidates. Of course, if Jackson is more worried about San Antonio in the playoffs than the Nuggets, he might choose Parker so as not to tick off the Spurs.
Paul will have an MRI on Tuesday, when more will be known about his condition. But groin strains have been known to linger for a few weeks, and the All-Star Game is 12 days from Paul's exam.
Considering the Hornets (28-17) are fighting desperately for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs and suddenly have dropped three straight, they don't look to be in the mood to take any chances with Paul's health when it comes to the All-Star Game.
Here's a final thought. Stern is not liked at all in Phoenix due to the NBA's May 2007 suspension of Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for one game for leaving the bench area during the playoffs against San Antonio, and the Suns eventually falling to the Spurs. If Stern wants a guard if Paul is needed to be replaced, he could go with Phoenix's Steve Nash, which also could result in being a bit of a goodwill gesture.
February 3, 2009
1:58 AM
Anonymous writes:
Manu ginobili!
February 3, 2009
4:12 AM
manugi writes:
I hope Manu Ginobili could also get the chance of replacing Paul in the all star weekend because he truly deserves it, look how he's playing these past few games of the spurs, he has been very valuable. give him the honor Mr. Stern for the second time. he is worthy of it.thanks
February 3, 2009
4:15 AM
manugi writes:
I hope Manu Ginobili could also get the chance of replacing Paul in the all star weekend because he truly deserves it, look how he's playing these past few games of the spurs, he has been very valuable. give him the honor Mr. Stern for the second time. he is worthy of it.thanks
February 3, 2009
4:21 AM
manugi writes:
I hope Manu Ginobili could also get the chance of replacing Paul in the all star weekend because he truly deserves it, look how he's playing these past few games of the spurs, he has been very valuable. give him the honor Mr. Stern for the second time. he is worthy of it.thanks
February 3, 2009
11:28 AM
Tyler writes:
Deron Williams is more deserving than Carmello Anthony. Melo's stats are down this year and Chauncy Billups is the reason the Denver is doing as well as they are. Williams has kept the Jazz in the playoff hunt through all the injuries Utah has dealt with. Billups may very well be named the starter but Williams should get the nod over Melo.
February 3, 2009
3:06 PM
john writes:
melo should go hes better than ginobli...and hes the second best sf in the league
February 4, 2009
12:58 PM
LC writes:
I'd love to see Chauncey start and Melo deserves to be there too....
February 4, 2009
6:06 PM
Matty writes:
whoever put david west ahead on the team ahead of melo needs a checkup.
February 6, 2009
5:08 AM
Anonymous writes:
i hope paul plays and then he tires at the end of the season while melo and all the other nuggets are fresh and healthy.
February 6, 2009
9:47 AM
Jesus X writes:
some of yall are retarded. have you seen what melo has done in three games coming off a broken hand? 20 points first game back, then back to back games where he scored 35 and 32, adding 11 assists (a career high) in the second game. He matched na NBA all time record this season with 33 points in a quarter, and has hit 2 game winning shots this year already. HOW THE HELL IS HE NOT AN ALL STAR? How can you honestly justify that Deron Williams or Manu Ginobli should be in before Melo? Get out of here wit hthat nonsense.
February 6, 2009
9:47 AM
Jesus X writes:
some of yall are retarded. have you seen what melo has done in three games coming off a broken hand? 20 points first game back, then back to back games where he scored 35 and 32, adding 11 assists (a career high) in the second game. He matched na NBA all time record this season with 33 points in a quarter, and has hit 2 game winning shots this year already. HOW THE HELL IS HE NOT AN ALL STAR? How can you honestly justify that Deron Williams or Manu Ginobli should be in before Melo? Get out of here wit hthat nonsense.
February 10, 2009
3:28 PM
MC Welk writes:
Quoth Hollinger: "If Chris Paul can't play in the All-Star Game, it would be an absolute crime if Deron Williams wasn't chosen as his replacement. I know that Steve Nash is a sentimental choice since the game is in Phoenix, but Williams has been unbelievable of late -- he's quietly riding a streak of four straight 30-point games,has made more than half his shots in six straight games, and has double-figure assists in 10 of his past 13 contests. Despite struggling with an early-season ankle injury, he's been so good lately that his season PER is nearly identical to last year's."
August 31, 2010
3:51 AM
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6:13 AM
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