This is how voting went for guards last year:
•First team
G — Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (98) 551
G — Derrick Rose, Chicago (118) 593
•Second team
G — Dwyane Wade, Miami (24) 392
G — Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City 184
•Third team
G — Manu Ginobili, San Antonio 106
G — Chris Paul, New Orleans 157
Then Rondo was first in “others receiving votes” with 68, but the gap between him and Ginobili was large.
Derrick Rose might be left off (or at least drop) due to limited games played.
Ginobili’s definitely out due to the limited games he’s played.
Like others have said Tony Parker is probably in.
And Deron Williams and Steve Nash (both 2nd team in 2010) are in the running too.
So it probably goes something like this:
I think these 3 are given:
Kobe and Chris Paul are 1st team, with Kobe being Kobe and Chris Paul’s great performance and huge visibility increase in LA.
Wade is 2nd team. Wade stays at 2nd team, having missed a few games and his numbers (points and rebounds) slightly down.
After those 3, it’s up for grabs.
Rose’s numbers are pretty consistent from last year, but who knows how many more games he misses. Even though he came back the other day, I could see him missing a few more games to better recover for the playoffs. He might miss out due just to the missed games, but with Chicago possibly finishing with best record in the league, he could still get voted in at 2nd team or 3rd team.
Westbrook’s points are up, but assists are down, but still pretty much the same player that got 2nd team last year. And with OKC fighting for the best record in the league, he’s definitely in, probably in at 2nd team again (but maybe down to 3rd if Rose still gets votes).
Tony Parker has the highest assists of his career and 2nd highest points, while possibly leading the Spurs to the best record in the league. So he’s probably in at 3rd team.
Rondo will probably be on the outside looking in again. If he finishes off strong, leads the league in assists (and the C’s keep winning) I could see him making 3rd team, but only if Rose is left out due to injury,
Deron Williams, your numbers are nice, just like when you were on the 2nd team, but your team sucks, and you didn’t win any fans forcing Sloan out in Utah and possibly leaving NJ this season. Play on a winning team next year and you'll be back in, but for now you’re out.
Steve Nash, you might lead the league in assists (again) with great shooting numbers (again), but if you didn’t make it last year, with your team hovering around .500 again, and your scoring on the decline, you ain’t making it this year.
James Harden, your team is nice but will already have Durant and Westbrook representing you guys on the All-NBA teams. Under 17ppg off the bench ain't gonna cut it. Don't worry, Sixth Man of the Year is a pretty nice consolation prize.
