Summary: The titile of this post says it all: Is DeMarcus Cousins an All-Star? Well, I'll say this -- as I say in this interview with Grant Napear of KHTK Radio in Sacramento -- he is certainly an All-Star talent, and I have even given him an All-NBA third team vote in the past. But then I'll also ask you this: Is Gordan Hayward an All-Star? Again, the Jazz shotmeister is certainly an All-Star talent, but an All-Star? I'll leave that for the coaches to decide, since the coaches are the ones who pick the reserves. But I'll warn both Cousins and Hayward that coaches value winning above all else. And they abhor players who put up great stats on terrible teams. Now, it is debatable whether the Kings and/or Jazz are terrible teams. They have both put up some exceptionally quality wins in the past couple of weeks, but they have the misfortune of playing in the highly competitive Western Conference, where there will be at least 4 good teams in the draft lottery this year. As for the All-Star Game, let's assume the five starters are going to be the five players who are leading the balloting (with the exception of Kobe Bryant, who is injured and likely will not play. Incoming commissioner Adam Silver will pick his replacment). The coaches will select seven reserves. In the backcourt, Bryant and Stephen Curry are the leading vote-getters, and Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin are the leaders at the three frontcourt positions. Who are the seven most worthy players after that? Hard to find room for Cousins or Hayward. More at www.sheridanhoops.com.
