Post by kobe on Jun 19, 2012 20:23:55 GMT -5
1st Team Center
Bob Lanier, San Antonio Spurs
This was a tough decision since there are a lot of good centers in the mid-west, but Lanier just edges out Moses for the first team. Lanier isn't quite the rebounder Moses is but he is still a very good one and is a much better shot blocker. The Spurs acquired Lanier in the off-season and he has come up big for them in GM Blue's contract year. Averaging 20 and 13 with 4 bpg so far this season. His FG% is low but it should rise as the season goes on.
2nd Team Center
Moses Malone, Dallas Mavericks
Moses might would be on the first team if the Mavericks weren't terrible. He bullys other centers down low with his top notch strength and rebounding, and he is also a capable low post scorer. The best rebounder in the league does have a weakness though, he doesn't block a lot of shots but he has A- defense so his post defense should be solid. Lanier just edges him out because of the shot blocking difference.
Honorable Mentions: Gene Moore, Rich Kelley
1st Team Power Forward
Darnell Hillman, New Orleans Hornets
Hillman being the top PF in the mid-west speaks to the lack of good PFs in the league. Hillman is having a solid year though. Near the top of the league in blocks with 4.4. Also averaging 10.8 rpg while chipping in 15 ppg. Shooting badly from the field but at least he is a good FT shooter. Hillman combined with Moore upfront makes the Hornets one of the best shot blocking teams in the league.
2nd Team Power Forward
Terry Tyler, San Antonio Spurs
Again Tyler being here speaks to the lack of PFs, at least in the mid-west lol. Tyler is having a good year though, his blocks are way up and currently averaging around 4 bpg. Also averaging close to 2 spg which is great from a PF. This sophomore is great on defense but gets beat up on the boards still and is still growing offensively.
Honorable Mentions: Walt Wesley, Gar Heard
1st Team Small Forward
Rudy Tomjanovich, Minnesota Timberwolves
You can pretty much pencil in 24 and 9 on good FG and FT%s from Rudy every year and this year has been no different for the Timberwolves. With Campy having a down year Rudy gets the nod as the first team SF. Doesn't get much recognition around the league but Rudy is a great player and the Timberwolves will need him to continue to score and rebound as they just traded away Kareem Abdul Jabar.
2nd Team Small Forward
Bernard King, Houston Rockets
Some may be surprised but King is putting up better offensive numbers than Mix and Campy this year. He is a good rebounder too if his defense wasn't mediocre this would be an easy choice. Not much talent around King besides Johnson I don't think many people expected them to be around .500 after trading Erving and Jones in the off-season. It looks like the Rockets will have a great scoring duo on the wing for years.
Honorable Mentions: Campy Russell, Steve Mix
1st Team Shooting Guard
George Gervin, Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets gave up two huge pieces on their championship team to get Gervin so they needed him to come in and be great and he has. Having a breakout year scoring wise with 32.9 ppg. The move to SG has been huge for him, he is now a plus rebounder instead of just average. 1.5 spg and 0.6 bpg is solid as well. He hasn't been a great scorer in his career, so I'm not sure if the 33 ppg will keep up but I don't expect it to fall off much as the season goes on.
2nd Team Shooting Guard
Pete Maravich, New Orleans Hornets
Might of been first team if he wasn't injured for 25 games. Maravich has his breakout scoring year last year and is looking to continue that trend. He has always been one of the best steal artists in the league now that he is averaging 30 a game he might be the best SG in the league. Not a great rebounder but 5/6 as a SG isn't bad at all. Hornets were 11-2 before the Maravich injury, after floating around .500 after his injury the Hornets are glad to have him back to say the least.
Honorable Mentions: JoJo White, Marques Johnson
1st Team Point Guard
Dave Bing, Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets kept their PG from their championship team so even though they traded their other starters they still have a great chance to repeat because of Bing. He is having another fantastic year, putting up 27 ppg, 11 apg and 6 rpg with over 2 spg. Gervin+Bing is probably the best backcourt in the league right now which is why the Nuggets are winning with average bigs right now. I think they will need to get a better PF or C if the Nuggets truly have aspirations of repeating.
2nd Team Point Guard
Archie Clark, New Orleans Hornets
Clark is getting up there in age but he is still a great starting PG in this league. 17 ppg, 11 apg, 5 rpg, 2 spg and 1.6 tpg this year for Clark. He has been a great scorer in the past and the Hornets might have to get him more touches if there offense continues to suffer, but Maravich coming back should fix that. Clark is 35 but he is still a stud.
Honorable Mentions: Calvin Murphy, Louie Dampier
1ST TEAM ALL-MIDWEST
Center: Bob Lanier (San Antonio Spurs)
Power Forward: Darnell Hillman (New Orleans Hornets)
Small Forward: Rudy Tomjanovich (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Shooting Guard: George Gervin (Denver Nuggets)
Point Guard: Dave Bing (Denver Nuggets)
2ND TEAM ALL-MIDWEST
Center: Moses Malone (Dallas Mavericks)
Power Forward: Terry Tyler (San Antonio Spurs)
Small Forward: Bernard King (Houston Rockets)
Shooting Guard: Pete Maravich (New Orleans Hornets)
Point Guard: Archie Clark (New Orleans Hornets)
Team Breakdown:
New Orleans Hornets (3)
Denver Nuggets (2)
San Antonio Spurs (2)
Dallas Mavericks (1)
Minnesota Timberwolves (1)
Houston Rockets (1)
