FOULEDOUT!

Perennial point guard Jason Kidd finally confirmed his demand to be traded out of the slumping New Jersey Nets.  His agent Jeff Schwartz, had already talked to the Nets management about shipping him out of the Nets before the trade deadline on February 21. 

“It used to be if I got a triple-double, that was an automatic win.  That’s just not the case now. We tried to make this work. We’ve found out it doesn’t. It’s time for us all to move on.”

Speculations about the trade demand started when Kidd missed a game against the New York Knicks due to a migraine.  Basketball enthusiasts believed that it was some sort of a protest to force a trade or a new contract.

“I’m not mad at anybody.  Sometimes, when you ride a wave, you get to the end and that’s all there is. That’s where we are.”

Kidd continues to chase triple-doubles every night as he is averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.4 assists in 43 games this season.  He has 98 career triple-doubles with 11 this season. 

-fouledout

Chris Webber is set to return to Golden State and play once again for Don Nelson and the Warriors.  Nelson was apparently the brains behind this decision to bring back Webber to his first professional ball club.  Nelson thought that they needed Webber’s offense and passing abilities if they are going to contend in the harsh Western Conference.

“I’m afraid if we don’t get him here, our team is not strong enough to be a playoff team,” said Nelson.

Chris Webber played for the Golden State Warriors during his rookie year but had a long-standing dispute with Nelson which resulted in a trade demand that moved him out of Golden State.   He then played for the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards), Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons.

Webber averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 43 games for the Pistons last season.  He hasn’t played a single game this season. 

-fouledout

I know, I know. I admit that this list comes a bit late because the starters for the All-Star weekend are already finalized.  Anytime now, the coaches will be picking out the deserving players to go out and play on the All-Star weekend.  Screening players in the Western Conference is a difficult task because the West is pretty loaded.  But I will still proceed with my personal choices for the All-Star games.  Here are my personal choices for the Western All-Stars:

Steve Nash – Nash is without a doubt the best point guard in the Western Conference, possibly in the whole league.

Chris Paul – He is best young floor general in the league.  The New Orleans Hornets is 31-12 because of his leadership.

Kobe Bryant – He is the best offensive player in league today.

Allen Iverson – A.I. is playing fantastic basketball with the Denver Nuggets this season.  He deserves another run in the All-Stars before his career is over.

Stephen Jackson – The Golden State Warriors is just different without Captain Jack.

Carmelo Anthony – He improved his rebounding this season and continues to play great offensive basketball. 

Dirk Nowitzki – The reigning MVP is relatively quiet this season but he still ranks among the best players in the West. 

Carlos Boozer – He is a double-double threat on nightly basis. 

Tim Duncan – Personally, I think Timmy is a bit boring, but he is still an All-Star material in my book.

Amare Stoudemire – He is averaging 22.7 points, 9 rebounds and over 2 blocks per game, definitely an All-Star material in my opinion.

Yao Ming – Best true center in the West.

Marcus Camby – I want to see this big guy bring his 3.9 blocks per games in the All-Star weekend and swat some of the flashy alley-oops and dunks. 

The short listed:

Chris Kaman – The L.A. Clippers are just miserable this season, but Kaman has been dominant by stepping up in the absence of Elton Brand.

Brandon Roy – After leading the Portland Trailblazers to multiple winning streaks, Roy deserves a nod to be in the All-Star games.

Tony Parker – He hasn’t made any significant noise this season, but still remains as one of the premier players in the league. 

*Tracy McGrady – are you kidding me? This guy should be called T-Hurt.  

-fouledout