Last night the reserves for the 2011 NBA All-star Game were announced live and exclusively on TNT. The Hoop Doctors Josh Sexton didn’t do too bad in his predictions, huh? Here are the reserves selected, but look for the TNT’s Ernie, Charles, Kenny, and Chris’ comments after the jump:
NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Reserves
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
NBA All-Star Western Conference Reserves
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
TNT Crew’s Quotes and Comments During the Announcement:
Smith on Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett: “Defense wins championships and (Garnett is) the anchor on the defense.”
Barkley on Celtics guard Paul Pierce: “(Pierce is) the anchor on offense and he’s the reason why they won the (2008) championship.”
Smith on Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson: “(Johnson) is too hard to guard and he is appreciated by the NBA coaches. The Atlanta Hawks have improved their record but they are still the Atlanta Hawks. They are a dangerous team and that’s why he got in.”
Barkley on Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh: “Better keep him away from (Oklahoma City Thunder forward) Kevin Durant or he won’t make it (to All-Star 2011).”
Barkley on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love not making the All-Star team: “Kevin Love not making the All-Star team was a travesty. Kevin Love is leading the league in rebounding and you can talk all you want about being on a good team or a bad team. (There is) no way you can get 15 rebounds a game even on a bad team and that not be impressive.”
Smith on why San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan made the All-Star team: “I think you should take three guys off (the Spurs) when you win that many games. You’re not winning 35-36 games and beating the league, you’re destroying the league. (Duncan) is the best defensive player on that team.”
Webber on New York Knicks guard Raymond Felton not making the All-Star team: “I definitely thought Raymond Felton should be a part of (All-Star) because you look at Amar’e Stoudemire. A lot of people questioned if he would do as well as he’s doing without (former Suns teammate) Steve Nash. But (Felton) has come in and not only has he played well in New York but look at how (his former team) Charlotte is doing without him.”
Barkley on the Eastern Conference: “Trying to find All-Stars in the Eastern Conference is like going into a bar and trying to pick up a bunch of ugly girls…someone has to win.”
