sportsjunkie

East

F – Chris Bosh (Miami Heat)

F – Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls)

C – Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers)

G – Andre Igoudala (Philadelphia 76ers)

G – Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)

F – Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)

G – Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets)

Let me start off by saying that Luol Deng DOES deserve to be an all star, but so do a lot of other players, and he just was not that high on my list. Chris Bosh should probably be in the starting five if this was an everyday NBA team. Joe Johnson and Andre Igoudala were not that high on my list either. Ahead of those guys I had JOSH SMITH who got robbed, by his own teammate. I just don’t get how you put Joe Johnson on the team, and not Josh Smith! I also had Andrea Bargnani and Brandon Jennings (to name a few)

West

F – LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers)

C – Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)

F – Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)

G – Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns)

F – Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)

G – Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)

G – Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Right off the top of my head I can say that Nowitzki and Nash should not be on the All Star Squad this year. Dirk is having his worst season since his rookie year and there is a lot of talented forwards in the West. Gallinari, Rudy Gay, and Paul Milsap were all great candidates that deserved to be All Stars this year. Yes, Steve Nash is averaging his same customary numbers and he’s always made the team, but if they pick some of the players based on team record, they should be consistent in doing so. Ty Lawson is having a great year and has done wonders for the Nuggets. Kyle Lowry is playing outstanding basketball and is leading the Houston Rockets to the playoffs. Everyone else on the list is well deserving, I can’t wait to see Gasol and Love up front or Westbrook, Griffin and Love on the floor at the same time.

Notables: Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan each didn’t make the All Star team. That was Garnett’s first time in 14 seasons that he didn’t make the team. Duncan didn’t make it for the first time in 13 season (12 as a starter).

It’s Hockey Town versus Hockey Universe in next years’ Winter Classic and the TV stations couldn’t ask for a more lucrative match up. If you don’t know already, the Leafs and the Red Wings have a historic rivalry and are both Original Six teams of the NHL. The Winter Classic is one of hockey’s biggest events and is held in an outdoor stadium. This matchup is anticipated to have a HUGE turnout and that is why it is being held at University of Michigan Stadium, which has a capacity of 115,000 people!

For a lot of people this matchup is a dream come true. Outdoor hockey has become so popular over the past few years and based on the history of these teams, and the history of outdoor hockey in Michigan, this was a matchup waiting to happen. Michigan state learned quickly that outdoor hockey is a spectacle and a half. When they first tried it out, there was over 75,000 people in attendance. Much later, in 2010, when Michigan played Michigan State, they broke the record for most people in attendance for a sporting event. With these two big time teams, the record is all set to be smashed again, not to mention TV ratings and the economic growth of the NHL. It is an exciting time for both teams and the league, but no one is as excited as the players who will be playing in this game.

“After games, you’re down on the field, and you look around, and you see all the fans go crazy,” Zetterberg said. “It is a pretty cool feeling. It would be awesome to have a game there.”

All we can do now is sit and let the excitement build. This is big. It is going to be a game everyone remembers for a long time. I have no doubt that the game will be sold out and Leafs Nation will show up!

Welcome to the second edition of NBA Power Rankings. This week Jameel Tharani gave us his insight based on our previous rankings.

1. Chicago: (21-6)

Previous Rank: 1           Record Since: (6-3)

Drose is back and Deng has decided to play through his wrist injury trying to do his best Kobe imitation.

2. Oklahoma City: (19-5)

Previous Rank: 2           Record Since (6-2)

These guys just keep rolling and have the young legs to thrive in a condensed schedule. They beat some good teams down the stretch last week and the ability to close will help them stay at the top of the rankings.

3. Miami: (18-6)

Previous Rank: 3           Record Since: (7-1)

Dwade is back from injury which is the good news, but it was not enough against the bucks who beat them for the second time in 10 days.

4. Philadelphia: (18-7)

Previous Rank: 7           Record Since: (7-2)

The Sixers continue to impress under Collins, but they just can't seem to figure out how to beat the Heat.

5. Indiana: (16-7)

Previous Rank: 5           Record Since: (5-3)

This team is balanced and deep, with a great mix of young talent and veteran leadership.

6. San Antonio: (17-9)

Previous Rank: 11         Record Since: (7-2)

The Spurs are on a roll right now with 2 recent wins against the Grizzlies and one against the Thunder.

7. L.A Clippers: (15-7)

Previous Rank: 9           Record Since: (5-2)

How much the Billups injury is going to hurt is yet to be determined, but this team is deep at that position.

8. Atlanta: (16-9)

Previous Rank: 8           Record Since: (4-4)

The Hawks have done surprisingly well without their big man Horford, with guys like Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Jeff Teague stepping up.

9. Denver: (15-10)

Previous Rank: 6           Record Since: (3-5)

Gallo injury is going to hurt, not to mention other key guys dealing with nagging injuries in Nene, and Afflalo.

10. Boston: (13-10)

Previous Rank: 20         Record Since: (7-1)

The Celtics are on fire right now and seem to be putting it together with everyone healthy.

11. L.A Lakers: (14-11)

Previous Rank: 16         Record Since: (4-3)

Have struggled a bit of late, but the bigger concern is if Kobe can sustain these heavy minutes.

12. Orlando: (15-10)

Previous Rank: 4           Record Since: (6-3)

The Magic went through their worst stretch of games ever since D12 arrived and it's only a matter of time until he leaves.

13. Portland: (14-11)

Previous Rank: 14         Record Since: (5-4)

The Blazers have hopped onto the back of Aldridge and will go as far as he can take them. But credit also goes to the role players. The Blazers are deep and that could help them climb the ranks.

14. Dallas: (14-11)

Previous Rank: 15         Record Since: (4-4)

Dirk is starting to play like Dirk again over the past 2 games. He needs to keep it up for the Mavs to succeed.

15. Utah: (13-10)

Previous Rank: 10         Record Since: (3-5)

Have a talented front court which has carried them to be a competitive team in the playoff hunt so far.

16. Houston: (14-11)

Previous Rank: 12         Record Since: (5-4)

The Rockets are right in the thick of the west playoff race.

17. Memphis: (12-13)

Previous Rank: 13         Record Since: (3-7)

Have struggled of late losing 7 of 10.

18. Minnesota: (12-12)

Previous Rank: 17         Record Since: (5-3)

Have played solid ball all year and the great play of Rubio and Love show that this team has a bright future.

19. Milwaukee: (10-13)

Previous Rank: 18         Record Since: (4-4)

Had big wins recently over the Lakers and the Heat (twice).

20. Phoenix: (10-14)

Previous Rank: 19         Record Since: (4-5)

Gortat has played exceptionally well, but it has not been enough to get this team wins.

21. New York: (10-15)

Previous Rank: 22         Record Since: (4-5)

Struggled mightily and now having to deal with an injury to Melo and a leave of absence for Amare, but might have found the point guard they desperately need in Jeremy Lin.

22. Cleveland: (9-13)

Previous Rank: 21         Record Since: (3-4)

Kyrie Irving has played like a seasoned pro in his rookie year keeping the Cavs competitive in the east playoff race.

23. Golden State: (8-13)

Previous Rank: 24         Record Since: (3-3)

Gstate has plenty of talent, but they lack the size to compete in the big western conference.

24. Sacramento: (9-15)

Previous Rank: 23         Record Since: (3-4)

Have played much better under Keith Smart, but will not compete for a playoff spot in the tough western conference.

25. New Jersey: (8-18)

Previous Rank: 25         Record Since: (3-6)

Lopez injury has really hurt this team and may move to Brooklyn without an all-star.

26. Toronto: (8-18)

Previous Rank: 27         Record Since: (4-5)

Their offense struggles without Bargnani and his return could not come sooner for this team.

27. Detroit: (6-20)

Previous Rank: 26         Record Since: (2-7)

Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight are bright spots in an otherwise tough season in Detroit.

28. Washington: (5-20)

Previous Rank: 29         Record Since: (3-6)

This team has solid young talent, but lack maturity and leadership.

29. New Orleans: (4-21)

Previous Rank: 30         Record Since: (1-8)

Kaman is off the trade block for now and Gordon is still a few weeks out.

30. Charlotte: (3-21)

Previous Rank: 28         Record Since: (0-7)

The Bobcats have been atrocious this year. They have had injuries to deal with but so have many other teams.

Who’s Hot

Martin St. Louis –Often regarded as one of the more underrated players in the league, St.Louis has always been in the race for the Art Ross trophy since breaking out for 94 points in the 2003/2004 season. Early this season it looked like the 36-year old Mighty Mite was showing the ill-effects of age, scoring only 22 points in his first 27 games. Since returning from his eye injury suffered in early December, he has scored seven goals and 20 assists in 19 games, capped off with his hat-trick on Saturday. He now has 49 points in 46 games (currently riding a nine-game point streak), which is remarkable considering how poor the Lightning’s powerplay has been this season (27^th in the league). Look for Marty to finish the season strong as the Lightning look to sneak into a playoff spot.

Sam Gagner – If you don’t know what Sam Gagner has been up to over the last week, you can’t call yourself a hockey fan. After an explosive eight point night tying Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey’s record, Gagner followed it up with a big three point night on Saturday against the league’s best team. Taking away the first 13 games of the season in which Gagner only had a mere two points, Gagner has registered 31 points in 32 games. Gagner is 16% owned in Yahoo! leagues so unless your league is extremely shallow, give him a look.

Pekka Rinne - While Jaroslav Halak owners might see this and completely flip out, I would appreciate it if you took a look at Pekka Rinne’s gamelog over the past month first. With the 3-1 victory over Halak and the Blues on Saturday, Rinne has now won 11 consecutive starts, and has now won 20 of his past 23. Just like Halak, Rinne has had his fair share of struggles this season but now appears to be completely zoned in.

Who’s Not

Rick Nash –Typically seen as an 80 point forward, the perennially overrated winger is on pace for one of the worst seasons of his career. The Jeff Carter experiment hasn’t panned out as the Blue Jackets hoped it would (but really what intelligent hockey fan thought that a shoot-first center was a good fit for Nash?). Nash is currently on pace for 54 points, which is far lower than even a realistic projection for the big power forward.

Tyler Seguin – The slump was coming sooner or later. Boston was scoring at an outrageous pace and there was simply too much depth on the Bruins for Seguin’s 90+ point pace to be sustainable over a full 82 game season. Seguin has five points in his past 11 games, and while there is still plenty of time for him to gain ground to go point per game, I doubt it will happen. Something to note on Seguin’s season is that the scoring comes in bunches, and usually in blowout victories. In all four of his three-point games this season, Boston has scored six or more goals.

Derek Roy – If there was ever a player that needed a change of scenery this season, it’s Derek Roy. He has been a disappointment for fantasy GMs and Sabres fans alike, as many expected him to bust out for at least 70-75 points after scoring 35 in 35 last season. Roy scored his first goal since January 14 on Saturday, and has three points in his past 15 games. Roy is on pace for 43 points which is just ridiculous for a player with his talent. Look for him to pick up the scoring pace down the stretch (it really wouldn’t be hard, he can only go up), and even more so if he is traded.

Trending Up

Martin Erat – It baffles me that this guy is 28% owned in Yahoo! leagues. Throughout his career Erat has slowly evolved into a consistent 60 point option which is saying quite a bit considering the team he plays for. After his three point performance on Saturday, Erat now has 39 points in 45 games (71 point-pace). While he is light on the peripheral front a la Alex Tanguay, if you’re looking for some help in the points department then Erat is your guy.

Kyle Okposo – After a disappointing start to what many believed to be Okposo’s breakout season, he has really come alive after being reunited with John Tavares. The Islanders’ top line of Moulson-Tavares-Okposo has been one of the best in the NHL over the past couple of months. In his last 29 games, Okposo has scored 10 goals and 12 assists, good for a 62 point pace. At 13% owned in Yahoo! leagues Okposo is a steal in deeper leagues.

Ryan Whitney – It looked like the case was closed on Ryan Whitney for the season as he struggled to stay healthy. In the games that he did play, he looked out of place and invisible on the Oilers’ hot offense to start the season. Since returning from his latest stint on the IR, Whitney has five points in four games. A lot of that offense will probably be attributed to Sam Gagner (and for good reason), but Whitney has been good in his own right, staying active on the offense and making smart plays. Ryan Whitney is 38% owned in Yahoo! leagues.

Ryan Miller – Miller was already starting to show signs of a struggle even before the infamous Lucic hit, but since that incident Miller had looked completely lost. He was constantly getting beaten for soft goals and looked like a shell of the elite goalie that he once was. If you were patient though you’re being rewarded now as Miller has been phenomenal in his last four starts. Saturday was a big statement game for him as he allowed three goals in the first eight shots that he faced. Lindy Ruff showed him a little bit of faith and left him in and Miller rewarded his coach by stopping the next 30 shots that he faced, eventually winning the game 4-3 in the shootout.

Cut Bait

Brandon Dubinsky – Typically a very strong first-half performer, Brandon Dubinsky was a big disappointment for GMs that hoped that he would win the coveted LW position with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. Since then, Richards and Gaborik have been split, leading two separate lines, and Dubinsky has been having arguably the worst season of his career. He is now point-less in seven games with only 10 shots during that span, and is on pace for a measly 37 points.

John Carlson – While this young stud has a ton of value in keeper leagues, on a one-year basis it doesn’t look like he’s going to get there just yet. Immediately after replacing Bruce Boudreau, it looked like Dale Hunter would give Carlson a strong look for offense and he responded, registering eight points in a four game point streak. Since then, Carlson has gone ice cold with four points in his last 22 games as Dale Hunter has relied more on Dennis Wideman for offensive strength. Surprisingly Carlson is still 72% owned in Yahoo! leagues.

Nikolai Khabibulin – If it feels like it’s been forever since Nikolai Khabibulin last won a game, it’s because it has been. Khabibulin’s last victory came on December 22, and he has only four wins since November 8^th. For some reason, the Bulin wall is still owned in 48% of Yahoo! leagues. If you’re one of them, I suggest you look elsewhere for goaltending help.

Carey Price – Much like Carlson, there is no chance that I would advocate cutting Carey Price loose in a keeper league. As far as keeper value goes, Price is in my top five for goaltenders. However when dealing with one-year leagues often times there isn’t enough time to wait on potential. The Canadiens have now gone 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and sit dead last in the Eastern Conference. With a handful of UFAs in the offseason, the Habs look like they will be sellers at the trade deadline, and that includes one of their best defenders, Hall Gill. The departure of Gill will only make things harder for Carey Price. While I hate to advocate selling low, I would recommend selling him while his name still garners value.

Brandon covers the Studs and Duds on the Dobberhockey forums every Thursday night, and can be found there under the handle “b0ndon”. Follow Brandon on Twitter for fantasy hockey updates at @b0ndon