Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:48 am EST
Is Lakers' Gasol worthy of an All-Star spot?
On Thursday, Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol will find out whether he has been selected to the Western Conference All-Star team.
His coach, Phil Jackson, will be coach the West team, and his teammate, Kobe Bryant, will be on the team as a starter.
The West coaches vote for the reserve players in their conference, but they can't vote for a player on their own team. The coaches' votes were due Tuesday and they had to decide on two forwards, two guards, one center and two wild cards.
"I would love to be a part of it," said Gasol, who played in the 2006 All-Star game while with the Memphis Grizzlies. "I think it's something that gives me a lot of pride and I think it's an honor to be a part of that game. The coaches are the people who watch you every day and know what you contribute to the league."
Gasol, who had a rare off game against Charlotte on Tuesday, was seventh in the voting for West forwards, behind starters Tim Duncan of San Antonio and Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix. He probably will be in a race at forward with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Denver's Carmelo Anthony.
When asked if Gasol deserved to be selected to the All-Star team, Jackson was emphatic.
"Oh, without a doubt," Jackson said. "I said, 'I won't be actively soliciting votes for him. I won't go out and call coaches. I think your play speaks for itself.' "
Source: Los Angeles Times
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321 Comments
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Road trip here we come, Go lakers
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My Boyfriend Lebron and the Cavs will win it all in August!....Best record in the east
Hope we dont get thrashed tooo hard by the Magic and Pistons...
Go Cavs...Lebron i love u boo boo.....
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F the Lakers and F gasol. I know gasol's on a winning team, but Al Jefferson is more deserving. Plus he's not a puss like Gasol.
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Vote Varejao and Pavlovich, those are all-stars......Big Z the best center in the league...Delonte West the next MJ...
Go Cavs! Go Lebron!
No intelligent people around?.......ok back to watching my gay porn
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Really tough loss by the Lakers last night. But with the way they played D last night, they deserved to lose that game. Too many holes in their D ...the PG's of Charlotte pretty much ran circles around Fish and Farmar. Gotta give the Bobcats credit too..they seem to play very well when they play the Lakers.
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Mo Williams to the All-Star Game!!!
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SportsNation Stephon Marbury: Kobe Bryant, because he is the best player on the planet.
Dan (Hamilton, ON): Since beginning your career in New York, how would you describe your experience with the Knicks, and if you could go back to the day you arrived in New York, would you still have come to play for the Knicks if you could do it over again?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: The first day I came back it was a rebrith for me from a basketball perspective. I was playing in my hometown. I would do it all over again, because I have learned so much and grown so much because of the move. I was able to build Starbury.com. There have been a lot of things that have happened that allowed me to build a successful sneaker and clothing line and made me a better person and helped me grow.
Anthony (New York): What will you do after your basketball career is over
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I am a business man. I love real estate and my sneaker company, keep up with the Starbury brand. I am a philanthropist. I like going to charity events and helping people. I like speaking to young kids and telling them they can get out of the ghetto. I also want to go back to school and get my degree. And I want to challenge myself in life to be better every day.
Colby (NY): Who gets your vote for MVP?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: Kobe Bryant.
Mike (NY, NYC): Do care that you may be hurting the Knicks by not accepting a reasonable buyout?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: This is a business. Just think, if you signed a contract and you were supposed to get $100 and then the person you signed the contract with said they would only give you $80, how would you feel? Forget about basketball and just think about it as a deal.
Will - San Francisco: What is the biggest misconception about you?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: When people get to meet me they understand me a lot better. I speak my mind. And because I do that people have a hard time dealing with it. I think a lot of people do not like speaking their minds. I am an open book. I have no secrets. I am not perfect, but I try to learn and grow from the mistakes I make, so I can be a better person.
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: Thanks to everyone for coming on to the ESPN chat. I am sure there are some questions I could not get to, but I am blessed to be able to be talking to you and I thank God for letting you hear my side of the story. Most of the time you only hear one side of the story and not the other. So for me to be able to share with you my side, makes me very happy. Thank you for supporting Starbury and everything else. Make sure to check out Starbury.com
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Nick (Orlando, FL): How do you want to be remembered when you have retired? Do you feel that this contract mess will harm your legacy?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I would not say it would harm it, because if I go to another team and win some titles my legacy would be based on that. I have a lot of basketball left inside of me. People may think I am done, but I have a lot of basketball left.
Scott (Austin, TX): The rap on you is that you have been a selfish player. How would you respond to that comment? How do you think your teammates would respond?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I do not know why people would say that. I do not shoot the ball 25 times a night. I have averaged eight assists per game throughout my career. I was always the person that was basically the blame guy when things went wrong, and I understand that comes from being the highest paid player. But look at the number of shots per game taken in my career and you will see it is not that many. So I do not believe I am a selfish player. I go on the court to win and that is it.
Brandan (Rolla, MO): What would be the ideal conclusion of this season for you personally such as playing where?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: To get out of my deal, go to another team and win a title.
Lionel NYC: Do you think you'll get into the hall of fame?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I do not know. You never know what can happen. I can go to another team and win a title or two. You never know what is going to happen in the future, that is why you must allow your presence to be bright.
kevin(la,ca): do you still think you are the best point guard?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I've got to get back on the court before I make a statement like that.
Jonathan (Boston): Have you been talking to KG at all? Or Sam? Do they want you to come to Boston?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I have not spoken to any of them. But Kevin made a comment on ESPN saying that he would not mind me coming to play in Boston.
Parnell (Whitman, Ma): Have you ever thought of playing for my Lakers
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I would never rule out playing for the Lakers, but their roster is full. I think they are set.
Adam (Chicago): If you could play with any one player, not considering rest of team, who would it be and why?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: Kobe Bryant, because he is the best player on the planet
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SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I am happy to explain to all my fans the situation going on with the Knicks. To all you Knicks fans, I still have a lot of love for you. I appreciate all the support you give me playing ball and with Starbury. With Starbury we are trying to do something for the community and make a product that everyone can afford. As far as the situation with the team, it is nothing personal.
Jimbo (Boston): Simple question: You comin to Boston?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: If I can get out the deal, it is one of the teams I will be looking at.
Chris (Mebane, North Carolina): With the relaunch of your shoes and clothing wear, will your products still be available at a local retail store and for the same price?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: Yes we still have the same price at $14.92 and we have another three lines, with the signature lines costing no more than $24.98 or less. We also have e-commerce, so anyone can access the line from all over the world. We are national and international. I am still working on going with Brick and Mortar and working with other retailers as we speak.
Eddie (Montreal): Hey Steph, what's it been like playing for the Knicks these past few years? Was it as much of a circus as it seemed to outsiders?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: It was a difficult situation the last few years, playing under all the media hype. Playing basketball at MSG is a lot of fun when you are winning, but when you are not, it's not fun.
Joe (CT): Why have the Knicks' struggled so much the past few years? Is it management, ownership, the players?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I think collectively we never got on the same page. When you look at organizations that work, everyone is on the same page as far as what they are doing. For Knicks fans I hope they get on track and become the best team they can be.
Peter: What was it like playing for Larry Brown?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: It was tough because he demanded a lot. He is very hard on his PGs. Sometimes dealing with him off the court, with him speaking to the media about players, was difficult. But as I got older I learned he did not mean any harm and now I can accept it more than I did back then.
Alvaro (chile): Stephon, would you consider going overseas with a big contract even if Boston wants you, but for less money?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I want to play in the NBA, so overseas will have to wait. When I spoke about playing overseas I meant going over there when I was finished in the NBA.
Berk (NYC, NY): Steph, Why won't you consider taking a buyout and leave about 25% of your remaining contract on the table (as most players negotiating a buyout do)? Shouldn't you have to take a cut in pay so you can sign with the team you want to play for? And don't you think you are hurting your value in the free agent market?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I cannot say about my free agent value, but I think other teams know what I can do. The reason I am not taking 25% less is because I signed a contract. I did not come here saying I wanted to part ways with the team. They chose to do this. I do not feel like I should give my money back to them. They are the ones who want to go in another direction.
Mikey NYC: What was up with your trip out to LA in December to watch the Knicks play the Lakers? Were you trying to send a message to the team? And if so what was the message?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I just wanted to see the game and enjoy it. I am still a Knicks fan at heart.
John - Lowell, MA: Hey stephon, if you came to Boston, seeing that the numbers 3 and 33 are retired (DJ and Bird) what would you want to wear?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I have to find out what numbers are available.
Jason (Philly): What was the general attitude in the locker room towards Isaih?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I guess guys saved face.
Derek (Tucson, Az): If you were asked today to return to knicks and play for them. Would you play?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: They chose their direction and I am trying to move on and end the relationship, becasue D'Antoni wanted the relationship ended from the start of the year.
Randy (NY): Is Miami and option if Boston doesn't work out?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: Miami is an option, yes.
JB ( Raleigh, Nc): What is the proudest moment in your basketball career?
SportsNation Stephon Marbury: I have two: 1) My high school championship and 2) Getting drafted.
Matt (MN): Do you regret the way things ended in Minnesota? What could you and KG have done the past 10 years if you had stayed together?
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