FOULEDOUT!

Lebron James’ near triple-double stat powered the Eastern Conference All-Stars to a 134-128 victory over the Western Conference All-Stars. James posted 27 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists in 30 minutes of action. He also had 2 steals and 2 blocks. Lebron James was awarded the All-Star MVP trophy for the second time in three years. He was the All-Star MVP in 2006.

Kobe Bryant started in the game but played for only three minutes to rest his injured finger. The Eastern All-Stars took advantage of Kobe’s absence and avenged their embarrassing 153-132 loss last year in Las Vegas.

Ray Allen hit five 3-pointers and led the game with 28 points. Dwight Howard, who was perfect from the field (7-7), had 16 points. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh had 14 points apiece for the Eastern team. Amid trade rumors, Jason Kidd started in the game and finished with only two points but had 10 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals.

The offense of the Western Conference was evenly distributed. Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Roy and Amare Stoudamire each had 18 points. Home-town favorite Chris Paul finished with 16 points and 14 assists. Carlos Boozer added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Western team.

-fouledout

NBA Commissioner David Stern named Ray Allen as the replacement for injured forward Caron Butler in the All-Star weekend.

This will be Allen’s eighth All-Star appearance and the Boston Celtics will be fielding in two players for the big game.  Paul Pierce will be playing as an All-Star reserve. Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was a fan favorite for the All-Star but had to withdraw because of abdominal muscle injury.

Butler is still nursing an injured hip flexor and that leaves the Washington Wizards with only one representative, Antawn Jamison, in the All-Star game.

I have nothing against Ray Allen, but I think this decision is plain stupid. Allen is a good choice as a replacement, but I think he is not the best choice. I’d pick Hedo Turkoglu over Allen at this time of the season. Allen is a proven shooter, but Turkoglu has been playing better basketball then Allen. Turkoglu should’ve been the replacement and not Allen. Hedo is playing the best basketball of his career so far and he very much deserving to be in the All-Star game. Ray Allen and Hedo Turkoglu are both deserving players, but based on the numbers and performance, I’d certainly pick Turkoglu over Allen.

-fouledout

Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace will replace Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett in the Eastern All-Star team after Garnett withdrew because of strained abdominal muscle.  Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, who will coach the East All-Star team, said that Garnett will be out of action until after the All-Star break.

Garnett missed his seventh consecutive game after suffering abdominal muscle strain on January 25 against his former team, Minnesota Timberwolves.  He is averaging 19.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. 

Rasheed Wallace will join his backcourt teammates Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton in the All-Star game.  Wallace is averaging 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds this season and leads the Pistons in blocks and steals. It will be his fourth All-Star appearance.

-fouledout