Bay Area Sports Guy – David Lee named All-Star reserve, but no love for Stephen Curry

The All-Star reserves were announced today, and from the looks of things the Western Conference coaches love power forwards. To go along with Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin getting voted in as starters, the reserves included James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph and … David Lee.

The biggest snubs here are clearly Stephen Curry and Marc Gasol. Perhaps one or both players will be named as a replacement for either Dwight Howard (who aggravated a shoulder injury last night in the Lakers’ loss to Memphis) or Tim Duncan (who will miss tomorrow night’s game with a sore left knee).

Howard should give up his spot anyway, since the Lakers have been one of the league’s top stories for all the wrong reasons and the center’s reputation is worsening by the day. But let’s take a second to recognize that Lee became the first Golden State Warrior to make an All-Star squad since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. Pretty nice accomplishment, and it means the Warriors’ culture change and winning record have not gone unnoticed. Perhaps not as much notice as Mark Jackson would have liked …

Notice that Jackson’s tweet was in response to Curry congratulating Lee.

“We’ve been the leaders all year long. I think (Curry) and I are equally responsible for that, along with other guys on the team,” Lee said in a conference call. “I really wanted him to be a part of this. I’m sure he’s going to be the first alternate.”

One reason why Lee may have had an edge (and the same can be said for guys like Aldridge and Randolph, too) is that Lee has made an All-Star team before. Lee made the Eastern Conference squad in 2010 as a member of the New York Knicks. One would imagine that if Curry (who will surely get an invite to the 3-Point Shootout and Skills Challenge) makes it as an alternate this year, he’ll be a shoo-in for the team next year if he keeps up his current production. Actually, if he continues playing like this he’ll probably make it next year regardless, especially if the Warriors make the playoffs and show they’re a team to contend with for years to come in the Western Conference.

That’s more important than All-Star Weekend, anyway.

12 comments

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Stan

How could I leave out..Radnich says David Lee made the game because he is white. What a kook. He said a few times too..

I made a typo..I had written all stat game. And then I thought about it. How true that Malaprop is. Its who the fans want. Stars. Not a game of who has the best stats. I think Curry should have made it. But,one day,one year he will have a so- so season,and he will still be in the All Star game. Because he will be a star to the fans by then.

Slam

The COACHES vote for the reserves, it's not " who the fans want "

In my followup I said that. Read it.

And even in the NBA,coaches will go for who they think made a difference this year and years past. Its still a popularity contest with grizzled NBA coaches. Human nature.

Reeks

I'm not surprised by this. Although Curry diserved it the west is stacked full of guards and Curry being farely new to the vast majority of the average NBA fan, he was likely the odd man out. He'll continue to grow and get better and he and Lee will be All Stars for years to come.

the david lee trade will kill the team...that prediction still stands. after all, his contract still goes for another 4 seasons.

How can it still stand when he was solid last year and this year made the all star game? What kind of logic are you using. It 's not common sense.

Bay Area Cholo Guy

Fairly predictable. IMO, I think the Grizzlies have a bigger gripe with Marc Gasol NOT making it AND Lamarcus Aldridge and Zach Randolph both in. All in all IF Curry's included in the 3 point and skills challenge and Barnes/Thompson make the Freshman/Sophomore roster THEN you're still looking at a very positive outcome for us Dubs fans.

How life can be funny. The "Sports Writer of the Year" always said the David Lee trade would kill the team. What to make of that perplexity?

Topraman

A championship would be a better reward for this team than an all star game that means nothing.

Otis Byrd III

Congratulations to David Lee on making the All-Star team! It sucks Curry didn't make it, but I'm happy that at least one Warrior will be on the West All-Star roster!