2010 Eastern Conference All-Stars

No. Player (Team) Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate College/HS/Country Selections 4 Chris Bosh (Toronto) F/C 6-10 230 03/24/84 Georgia Tech 5 5 Kevin Garnett (Boston) F 6-11 220 05/19/76 Farragut Academy (HS) 13 15 Al Horford (Atlanta) F/C 6-10 245 06/03/86 Florida 1 12 Dwight Howard (Orlando) C 6-11 265 12/08/85 SW Atlanta Christian Academy 4 3 Allen Iverson (Philadelphia) G 6-0 165 06/07/75 Georgetown 11 23 LeBron James (Cleveland) F 6-8 250 12/30/84 St. Vincent/St. Mary HS 6 2 Joe Johnson (Atlanta) G 6-7 235 06/29/81 Arkansas 4 34 Paul Pierce (Boston) F 6-7 235 10/13/77 Kansas 8 1 Rajon Rondo (Boston) G 6-1 171 02/22/86 Kentucky 1 1 Derrick Rose (Chicago) G 6-3 190 10/04/88 Memphis 1 3 Dwyane Wade (Miami) G 6-4 210 01/17/82 Marquette 6 3 Gerald Wallace (Charlotte) F 6-7 215 07/23/82 Alabama 1

2010 Western Conference All-Stars

No. Player (Team) Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate College/HS/Country Selections 15 Carmelo Anthony (Denver) F 6-8 230 05/29/84 Syracuse 3 24 Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers) G 6-6 205 08/23/78 Lower Merion HS 12 21 Tim Duncan (San Antonio) F 6-11 260 04/25/76 Wake Forest 12 35 Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City) F 6-9 230 09/29/88 Texas 1 16 Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers) F 7-0 227 07/06/80 Barcelona, Spain 3 13 Steve Nash (Phoenix) G 6-3 178 02/07/74 Santa Clara 7 41 Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) F 7-0 245 06/19/78 Wurzburg, Germany 9 3 Chris Paul (New Orleans) G 6-0 175 05/06/85 Wake Forest 3 50 Zach Randolph (Memphis) F 6-9 260 07/16/81 Michigan State 1 7 Brandon Roy (Portland) G 6-6 211 07/23/84 Washington 3 1 Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix) F/C 6-10 245 11/16/82 Cypress Creek HS 5 8 Deron Williams (Utah) G 6-3 207 06/26/84 Illinois 1

Chicago Bulls Taj Gibson and Derrick Rose will be partying in Dallas for the NBA Rookie Challenge.

Rookie Team roster

Player (Team) Position Height/Weight School/Country Omri Casspi (Kings) F 6-9/225 Israel DeJuan Blair (Spurs) F-C 6-7/265 Pittsburgh Stephen Curry (Warriors) G 6-3/185 Davidson Tyreke Evans (Kings) G 6-6/220 Memphis Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves) G 6-0/186 Syracuse Taj Gibson (Bulls) F 6-9/225 USC James Harden (Thunder) G 6-5/220 Arizona State Brandon Jennings (Bucks) G 6-1/169 Lottomatica Virtus Roma (Italy) Jonas Jerebko (Pistons) F 6-10/231 Sweden

Sophomore Team roster

Player (Team) Position Height/Weight School/Country Michael Beasly (Heat) F 6-9/245 Kansas State Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) C 7-1/265 Spain Danilo Gallinari (Knicks) G-F 6-10/225 Italy Eric Gordon (Clippers) G 6-3/222 Indiana Brook Lopez (Nets) C 7-0/260 Stanford Kevin Love (Timberwolves) F-C 6-10/260 UCLA O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies) G 6-4/210 USC Derrick Rose (Bulls) G 6-3/190 Memphis Russell Westbrook (Thunder) G 6-3 187 UCLA

  The best little man of all time has reportedly walked away from the game. Yahoo Sports has reported that 76er great Allen Iverson has decided to retire.

"I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association," Iverson said in a statement. "I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case."

Just a little over a week ago Iverson's contract was terminated by the Memphis Grizzlies after The Answer voiced his displeasure about not being a starter. Many thought that Iverson would find a home on another NBA team but that never came to fruition.

I have often been critical of Iverson and his unwillingness to be a good teammate. Many accuse me of being an Iverson hater, but that's not the case. I happen to be a huge fan of Allen Iverson--I just wished at times that he would do the "right thing."

I remember 10 years ago seeing Charles Barkley carried off the court in Philadelphia in a Rockets uniform and thinking, "This is no way for such a great player to go out." While Iverson is not being carried off with an injury, his last public moments are of him complaining about starting in Memphis and Detroit.

I'd like to take this time to focus on the greatness of Allen Iverson.

Everyone remembers Iverson crossing over Michael Jordan in his rookie year. In the eyes of many that moment represented a changing of the guard.

In 2001 Iverson single-handedly led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were undefeated in their Playoff run until they ran into Allen Iverson and the 76ers. While only winning one game, everyone remembers Iverson's 48 point performance in game one of that series.

In 2004 Larry Brown led the U.S. Olympic team to a bronze medal. Brown being allergic to youth refused to give quality minutes to the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony--Iverson carried the team. While many of the U.S. players were embarrassed to be receiving a bronze medal Iverson received his medal with pride--pride in himself, his team, and his country.

It appears as though Iverson will never be an NBA Champion but he is surely a first ballot Hall-of-Famer.

Check the resume:

1995 Big East Rookie of the Year

1995 & 1996 Big East Defensive Player of the Year

1996 NBA first overall draft pick

1997 NBA Rookie of the Year

2001 NBA MVP

2001 & 2005 NBA All-Star Game MVP

10 time NBA All-Star

4 time NBA scoring champion

2004 Olympic bronze medalist

and the list goes on....

Iverson is 17th all-time on the NBA scoring list with 24,020 points, and 5th all-time in scoring average with 27.0 points a game. Iverson is 2nd behind Michael Jordan in Playoff scoring average with 29.7 points a game.

A.I. has career averages of 27.0 points a game, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.2 steals. Not bad for a guy barely 6 feet tall and 165 pounds.

Bryan Crawford of Slam Magazine recently wrote, "For some reason, I always felt a connection to him [Allen Iverson]. At one point, I even wanted to “be” Allen Iverson."

Bryan is not alone.

Iverson has touched the lives of many--mostly in inner city neighborhoods. Without asking to be, Iverson was a role model to people in hopeless situations. He was one of us and he made it.

Regardless of your opinion of Allen Iverson one thing is for sure, he is an American success story and a true warrior on and off the basketball court.

"Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids," said Iverson. "This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I've ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift."

Here's to the Answer... Thanks for your blood, sweat, and tears on the basketball court. You were appreciated.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's book "When the Game Was Ours" has sparked a lot of controversy. In the book Magic, a once close friend of Isiah, states that Thomas' personality or lack thereof kept him from the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

"Isiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics,"Johnson said in the book. "Nobody on that team wanted to play with him. ... I'm sadfor Isiah. He has alienated so many people in his life, and hestill doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why he wasn't chosenfor that Olympic team and that's really too bad. You should beaware when you've ticked off more than half of the NBA."

"I'm just disappointed and hurt," Thomas said. "I wish he would have called me. I alwaysbelieved that our friendship was good and close enough that wewouldn't have to talk about this stuff in such a public venue."

Everyone has an opinion about Isiah's exclusion from the 1992 Dream Team, even the guys who made the team. Scottie Pippen and Clyde Drexler recently appeared on Chris "Mad Dog" Russo's Sirius Satellite Radio show and gave their opinion on Isiah Thomas being snubbed from the '92 Dream Team.

The 2009/2010 NBA season is here and like every other so-called expert I like to make predictions. Here goes...

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Forthe second consecutive year LeBron James will be crowned the league'sMVP. Bold prediction, right? LeBron James has gotten better in each andevery season that he's played in--2010 should be no different. With asoft Eastern Conference to beat up on James should lead the Cavaliersto the best record in the East while putting up amazing numbers.

Runners-up:

2. Dwight Howard

3. Kobe Bryant

4. Dwyane Wade

5. Chris Paul

Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin

Withmy second bold prediction I'm going to predict that Blake Griffin willbe the 2010 Rookie of the Year. Griffin is a flat out beast and should walk away with the trophy easily. In sports you never say never--Griffin does play for the Clippers.

Runners-up:

2. Tyreke Evans

3. Jonny Flynn

4. Brandon Jennings

5. James Harden

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard

Onceagain I'm going out on a limb and picking Dwight Howard as theDefensive Player of the Year. I wonder how many consecutive years willhe lead the NBA in rebounds and blocks?

2. Ron Artest

3. Dwyane Wade

4. LeBron James

5. Chris Paul

Most Improved Player: Greg Oden

This pick is a crap shoot. Last seasonI predicted that Tyrus Thomas would be the Most Improved Player. WhileThomas did improve, the award went to Indiana's Danny Granger. Thisseason I'm going to go with Portland's Greg Oden. Oden is 2007's numberone pick and has yet to play like a number one pick. Oden has worked onhis game over the summer and is ready to roll. Greg Oden is my pick forMost Improved Player.

2. Lou Williams

3. Anthony Randolph

4. Joakim Noah

5. Michael Beasley

Sixth Man of the Year: Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom won an NBA title, signed a $33 million dollar contract, and married a Kardashian all in one summer. Now it's back to business and Odom has to help Kobe & Co. defend their NBA title. With Ron Artestin the fold Lamar Odom will continue to come off the bench for theLakers. Odom should prove to be the most efficient bench player in theNBA.

2. Ben Gordon

3. Paul Milsap

4. Jason Terry

5. Rasheed Wallace

Coach of the Year: Flip Saunders

Usuallythe Coach of the Year is the Head Coach that turns a once horrible teaminto a good team. Few teams were worse than the Washington Wizards lastseason. Washington begins the new NBA season with a new coach, newplayers, and healthy stars. I believe that Flip Saunders will turn theWizards around and walk away with Coach of the Year honors.

2. Mike Dunleavy

3. Stan Van Gundy

4. Phil Jackson

5. Greg Popovich

Executive of the Year: Danny Ferry

DannyFerry traded Ben Wallace in exchange for Shaq, is there anything leftto be said? The signings of Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Leon Powewent under the radar but were huge for the Cavaliers. Danny Ferry is mypick for Executive of the Year.

2. Danny Ainge

3. David Kahn

4. Otis Smith

5. R.C. Buford

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (c)

2. Boston Celtics (a)

3. Orlando Magic (se)

4. Atlanta Hawks

5. Washington Wizards

6. Philadelphia 76ers

7. Chicago Bulls

8. Toronto Raptors

9. Detroit Pistons

10. Miami Heat

11. Indiana Pacers

12. Charlotte Bobcats

13. Milwaukee Bucks

14. New York Knicks

15. New Jersey Nets

Western Conference Standings

1. Los Angeles Lakers (p)

2. San Antonio Spurs (sw)

3. Denver Nuggets (nw)

4. Dallas Mavericks

5. Portland Trailblazers

6. Utah Jazz

7. New Orleans Hornets

8. Phoenix Suns

9. Houston Rockets

10. Los Angeles Clippers

11. Golden State Warriors

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

13. Memphis Grizzlies

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

15. Sacramento Kings

Eastern Conference Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers

Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

10 days ago NBA free agents were allowed to meet with teams and negotiate contracts. Few people expected the amount of movement that would take place this off-season. I'm having a hard time keeping up with it all but here goes....

The Detroit Pistons made the most noise by firing head coach Michael Curry and replacing him with Cavaliers assistant John Kuester. Detroit then snatched away key players from two division rivals in Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Gordon signed for 5 years and $55 million, Villanueva 5 years, $35 million. Chris Wilcox also signed a 2 year deal with the Pistons.

Leaving the Pistons were forwards Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyees. Wallace signed a 2 year deal with the Boston Celtics worth over $11 million dollars. McDyees signed with the San Antonio Spurs.

Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza switched teams when Artest agreed to a three year deal worth $18 million dollars with the Los Angeles Lakers. Ariza signed a 5 year deal with the Rockets for$33 million dollars.

Hedo Turkoglu and Shawn Marion changed teams in a complicated 4 team trade. Marion signed a 5 year deal worth $40 million dollars before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas also received Kris Humphries and Nathan Jawai from Toronto--and Greg Buckner from Memphis.

The Raptors got Hedo Turkoglu in the deal for five years and $60 million dollars. Toronto also received Devean George and guard Antoine Wright from Dallas. Jarret Jack was signed for four years and $20 million dollars.

The Grizzlies received veteran guard Jerry Stackhouse from Dallas and a 2016 second round pick from the Toronto Raptors, while Orlando gained cash in this transaction from Dallas and Toronto.

Orlando also signed former Mavericks forward Brandon Bass to a four year deal worth $18 million dollars and Matt Barnes to a 2 year deal.

The Bulls signed guard Jannero Pargo to a one year deal for $2 million dollars and also resigned Lindsey Hunter.

The Indiana Pacers signed Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones to a 4 year deal worth $11 million dollars.

Bolting from Memphis to Dallas with a 2 year deal is guard Quinton Ross.

Channing Frye left Portland for some sun as he signed a two year $3.8 million dollar deal in Phoenix.

Some free agents decided to stay put over the past week. Leading the pack is Mavericks guard Jason Kidd who signed a 3 year deal for $25 million dollars.

Mike Bibby is still a Hawk after agreeing to a 3 year deal worth $18 million dollars. The Hawks also resigned big man Zaza Pachulia.

The Birdman will continue to fly in Denver as Chris Anderson signed a 5 year deal for $26 million dollars.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are keeping big man Anderson Varejao for 6 more years and $50 million dollars in addition to signing Raptors guard Anthony Parker.

Grant Hill will return to the Suns for two more seasons and $6.24 million dollars.

The Lakers resigned guard Shannon Brown.

The Kings signed forward Sean May to a one year deal.

Grade:B+
The Hawks may lose Mike Bibby in free agency. Adding Jeff Teague fills the void left by Bibby. Gladyr gives the Hawks another shooter besides Joe Johnson.
Grade:C
Lester Hudson is a decent guard who may have a hard time making the C's roster.
Grade:A-
Charlotte added Gerald Henderson who will boost their offense from the wing and Derrick Brown who can play both forward positions.

Grade:B+
My Chicago Bulls drafted James Johnson and Taj Gibson to compensate for the inconsistencies and injuries of Tyrus Thomas and Luol Deng. I like both players as insurance policies.
Grade:C
Cleveland got a fist full of wing players they may never step foot in Ohio.

Grade:B+
Detroit picked up three versatile forwards in Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. The post Rasheed era has begun.
 Grade:A-
Tyler Hansbrough is a Larry Bird kind of guy. In an up-tempo offense Hansbrough will do the dirty work for Indiana. A.J. Price can become a quality back up to T.J. Ford.
Grade:B
Miami picked up Robert Dozier and Patrick Beverly in the second round. These are low paid guys who can make the roster and contribute from the wing for the Heat.
Grade:B
Milwaukee came away with Brandon Jennings in the first round and Jodie Meeks in the second. I guess this means bye-bye to Ramon Sessions.
Grade:B+
Terrence Williams should fit right into Vince Carter's old spot.
Grade:B+
The Knicks got a competent big man in Jordan Hill and a guard in Toney Douglas. The Big Apple is movin' on up.

Grade:Inc.
No picks meant no moves for the Magic. But they did make a draft day trade for Vince Carter!
 Grade:A
Jrue Holiday may be a steal for Philly at the 17th pick. Andre Miller will likely not return to the City of Brotherly Love.

Grade:A
The Raptors picked up DeMar DeRozan who was much needed in Canada. Anthony Parker is a solid player but won't push the Raptors over the top. DeRozan may get the job done.
Grade:Inc.
The Wiz traded the 5th overall pick before the draft for Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

Grade: B
Dallas picked up two point guards in Rodrigue Beaubois and Nick Calathes, and a power forward in Ahmad Nivins. Dallas is trying to fill the one spot in case Jason Kidd leaves Big D.
Grade:A
With no picks in the 2009 Draft the Nuggets traded next year's first round pick for Ty Lawson. Ty will be the perfect back up to Chauncey Billups.
Grade:A
Stephen Curry is the real deal, I just wonder how he'll fit in with Monta Ellis?
Grade:B+
Houston had no picks and walked away with 3 second rounders. Chase Budinger, Jermaine Taylor, and Sergio Llull all have a shot at making the Rockets roster.
Grade:A+
The Clippers got the best player in the draft in Blake Griffin. Now let's hope they don't blow it.
Grade:C-
L.A. traded their first round pick for cash and took Chinemelu Elonu in the second round. What does the best team in the NBA really need though?

Grade: A
The Grizz walked away with the biggest player in the draft in Hasheem Thabeet in addition to Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll. They are slowly building a competitive team in Memphis.

Grade:B
I thought Kevin McHale got released? Minnesota picked two point guards back to back. HUH? Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn better be prepared to guard the Kobe's, Durant's, and McGrady's of the west. Good luck. Wayne Ellington was a good pick at 28 and Henk Norel has a cool name.

Grade:B
The New Orleans Hornets picked up two guards to help out Chris Paul, good job.


Grade:A-
Phoenix is in rebuilding mode. Steve Kerr drafted Earl Clark and Blake Griffin's brother. I think Griffin's brother should fit in nice with Brook Lopez's brother. Clark will be a very good player in Phoenix as Grant Hill calls it quits.

Grade:C
Once again the Blazers picked a bunch of guys who may not even make their team. This was an underwhelming draft for Kevin Pritchard.

Grade:B-
The Kings needed a point guard and walked away with 2 wing players and a big. Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Jon Brockman are all good players who will contribute, but are repetitive on the current Kings roster.
Grade:B-
With no first round picks the Spurs lucked into DeJuan Blair as well as Jack McClinton and Nando De Colo who like Henk Norel, also has a cool name.

Grade:A
The Jazz came away with the perfect back up for Deron Williams in Eric Maynor and Goran Suton is the prototype Jerry Sloan player.

 Grade:A+
The Thunder were the second biggest winner of draft night behind the Clippers. Oklahoma came away with James Harden, B.J. Mullens and Robert Vaden. They have two quality scorers and their center of the future to pair up with Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, and Kevin Durant.

1 Blake Griffin

2 Hasheem Thabeet


3 James Harden

4 Tyreke Evans

5 Ricky Rubio

6 Jonny Flynn

7 Stephen Curry

8 Jordan Hill

9 DeMar DeRozan

10 Brandon Jennings

11 Terrence Williams

12 Gerald Henderson

13 Tyler Hansbrough

14 Earl Clark

15 Austin Daye

16 James Johnson

17 Jrue Holiday

18 Ty Lawson   (traded to Denver)

19 Jeff Teague

20 Eric Maynor

21 Darren Collison

22 Victor Claver

23 Omri Casspi

24 B.J. Mullens   (traded to Oklahoma City)

25 Rodrigue Beaubois   (traded to Dallas)

26 Taj Gibson

27 DeMarre Carroll

28 Wayne Ellington

 29 Toney Douglas   (traded to New York)

 30 Christian Eyenga

Round 2

31 Jeff Pendergraph   (traded to Portland)

32 Jermaine  Taylor   (traded to Houston)

33 Dante Cunningham

34 Sergio Llull   (traded to Houston)

35 DaJuan Summers

36 Sam Young

37 DeJuan Blair

38 Jon Brockman   (traded to Sacramento)

39 Jonas Jerebko

40 Derrick Brown

41 Jodie Meeks

42 Patrick Beverley   (traded to Miami)

43 Marcus Thornton   (traded to New Orleans)

44 Chase Budinger   (traded to Houston)

45 Nick Calathes

46 Daniel Green

47 Henk Norel

48 Taylor Griffin

49 Sergiy Gladyr

50 Goran Suton

51 Jack  McClinton

52 A.J. Price

53 Nando De Colo

54 Robert Vaden   (traded to Oklahoma City)

55 Patrick Mills

56 Ahmad Nivins

57 Emir Preldzic

58 Lester Hudson

59 Chinemelu Elonu

 60 Robert Dozier