No kiddies all-star game for DeRozan

Is this a snub?

You could sure make that case.

Just got word from the NBA on the rosters for the Rookie-Sophomore silliness as part of all-star weekend and, as a surprise to me, there’s no DeMar DeRozan on the rookie team.

Instead, the panel took this auspicious group:

Tyreke Evans of Sacramento, his Kings teammate Omri Casspi, Stephen Curry of Golden State, DeJuan Blair of the Spurs, Jonny Flynn of Minnesota, James Harden of Oklahoma City, Taj Gibson of Chicago, Brandon Jennings of the Bucks and Jonas Jerebko of Detroit.

I can’t argue with a lot of those suggestions except Jerebko. No way I’d take him over DeRozan but they never asked me for my vote.

The two of them score about the same, Jerebko has better rebounding stats but DeRozan’s a bigger part of a better team.

I think they got it wrong.

And by “they” I mean NBA assistant coaches, who were the voters in this.

The sophomore team?

Chicago's Derrick Rose, Miami’s Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon of the Clippers, Kevin Love from Minnesota, Brook Lopez of the Nets, Danilo Gallinari of the Knicks, Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City and a pair of Grizzlies: Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo.

Think that’s a pretty solid group.

Anyway, that’s the latest I’ve got for you at the moment.

Comments

[Peter]

Is this going to start off the "Canada" debate? Meaning, "It's because he plays in Canada, that he's not getting the exposure?" I hope that doesn't happen, and don't believe it to be true given that assistant coaches were the voters.

[Jheezy]

aww this blows...Demar was the only reason I wanted to watch the rookie game. he's the only one who would put on a dunk show. I hope he'll do well in the dunk-off though. I feel bad for DeMar though, hope he doesn't get too down on himself.

[Alex H]

Jerebko is also about 2.5 years older than DeRozan. How good could DeMar with 2.5 more years to develop his game and his body? Based on his numbers as a rookie and his commitment to improving his game, I think he could reasonably project to be in the company of Rudy Gay or Andre Iguodala in a few years.

[dean]

Hi Doug

I will be the first to put this out there:

The Suns are obviusly going to try and move A'mare. If so, Steve Nash obviously ends up on a lame duck team in the West, and that can't be what he wants.

If we trade Jose and Reggie Evans, plus a pick or two and some cash, we could have a Jack/Nash backcourt for the next two seasons.

Tell me that won't entice Bosh to stick around a little longer...............

Or do you feel that Nash is loyal, would want to stay no matter the roster?

I know you loathe these questions, but if the A'mare chatter is legit, then trading Nash as well has to be on the radar for a rebuilding Suns team...........

Trading him to the East seems the most likely, why trade into your own division ( a la Rob Babcock) or conference with a guy like Nash?

[WSG]

That is just plain rotten. DeMar absolutely SHOULD be on the rookie team. What the hell are they thinking?

[PJ]

Hopefully this motivates the kid. You want to be recognized during All-Star game weekend? Distinguish yourself from your peers. The most we can say is that he "could" have been added over someone like Jerebko - not that he was robbed due to some sort of "Canadian bias". That's silly. You want rewards? Work harder for them.

[John]

Great idea Dean! Take a playoff team, trade away Amare ( getting nothing back), turning your team into a lame-duck team and then of course trade away the heart and soul for a guy who has not played all year and another who is coming off the bench and of course some draft picks and cash...
I think this may be the exact reasons why these posts dont get answered...

[James Online]

DeMar DeRozan is a "bigger part of the team" only because Triano has decided to make it so. His contributions have not equalled his role on the team. He has not made the Raptors better.

I like DeMar on the Raptors, but so far his skills are limited and his contributions even more so. Making it to the dunk contest, in my view, doesn't help his case.

[GM]

Someone will get injured and DeRozan will get to play. And everyone will be happy. Except maybe the guy who got injured.

[mike]

They had to pick a minimum of 4 forwards/centers. That's the reason Jerebko get's the nod.

[The J]

That's sad for Demar. It is almost going to be akward for him to be at the dunk-off when he probably would rather be in the game. Oh well, at least he avoids the beatdown the rookies will get. Looking at that sophmore team makes me realize last years crop was actually pretty damn good. Maybe Demar can take consolence in the idea that it will mean more to be on the Sophmore team, as it means you've trully establishing yourself beyond a flash in the pan, good start to a rookie season. And I would be more willing to bet on Demar than Jerebko to be back there next year.

[Adam]

Hey Doug,
Too bad for DeMar. The NBA will look kind of silly when he puts on a show at the Dunk-in which consequently takes place at half-time of the Rookie/Sophmore game. Could that be a reason to not have him on the Rookie team? Maybe they (apparently the assistant coaches) want to give as many Rookies exposure Friday night as possible rather than him doing both the game and Dunk-in?
Just a thought.

[Dan W]

I don't think it's that big of deal. Kevin Love got left off last year. I think rookie of the year voting is based on pure stats since most years the best player is leading a terrible team. If the Raps continue to play well i'm sure any of those players would trade the rookie game to start in the playoffs. Hopefully next year Demars progression will lead him to the sophmore team.

[Stephen]

Lawson, Ty (Nuggets) is a much bigger snub then DeRozan!

[greg]

too many guards in this rookie class, one had to be 'snubbed'. You can also say the same for Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets.

[greg]

DD cant beat out Curry and Evans for the starting and backup 2 position either. Make your mark in the dunk competition is what i would tell DD.

[Jeremy]

His shot selection and shooting percentage are fantastic. I agree that he needs to develop a consistent jump shot, but the Kid is a ticking time bomb and will explode for 30 one night. If DD was given the opportunity to score more as an option - I have no doubt that he can be one of the best rookies in the league. He is a future All-Star.

[jimmie]

I agree it's not that big a deal about Derozan, but it still strikes me as a poor decision. Mine could be a 'homer' position, though, I admit.

Lawson has missed quite a few games to injury, so you can sort of justify his omission (though he's definitely played a worthy role when healthy). Jerebko is starting now and playing OK (on a crappy team), but not sure he's a better rook than Demar. Similarly, Casspi and Flynn are a notch below Demar IMO.

But given the argument that he really has to beat out the other SGs picked, I guess there's a marginal argument. Is he more worthy than Evans (nominally a PG, but a SG's body)? No, certainly not.Curry? No. Harden? Maybe, but it's too close to call.

Forget it -- he can just go win the dunk contest, which is definitely more notable than the rookie-soph game, and use his omission as incentive to kick ass the rest of the year and prove the detractors wrong.

[mando]

Great story about Marco's grandparents.

[JJ]

Wow, thank you Dan W! Ty Lawson is a bigger snub that Demar. Derozan really isn't a snub. Doug, this is a Toronto Media Bias you are exhibiting.

[aditya]

ho-hum....the list seems pretty good (rookie list) and as Dan W, said Ty Lawson is a bigger snub than Demar DeRozan... Someone also said Kevin Love didn't make last year's team, so there you go. It happens, no one's perfect

[Ali]

Wow that Sophomore lineup is loaded. Love, Gasol and Brook Lopez? All three of those guys have all-star stats. Rose and Mayo at the guards? They should win by about 90.

[Michel G]

I watched one rookie-sophomore game in my life and it was the most god-awful sporting event I've ever seen. All I remember is Bargnani standing aroung bewildered as Rudy Gay went for dunk after undefended dunk. The big Italian was probably wondering when they were going to start playing real basketball. I haven't watch another all-star event since.

[Ben]

Doug, any chance to talk to any of the vets about the snub?

Blogger's note: A couple, they were surprised

[matt]

doug, i know you remember paul shirley, below average NBAer, but above average intellect. he recently wrote a very unpopular article about the relief effort in haiti. he pretty much said instead of just giving money, we should give teach them so they dont duplicate their mistakes. he said it in a more 'american' way, and had lots of hyperbole and controversial remarks. ESPN has now fired him. amazingly most raptors fans ive discussed this with agree, because how dare he question a relief effort, and he said what wasnt in line with ESPNs thinking so he shoudl be fired. Are journalists going to stand up for the right of free speech as a media member, or are they afraid the same will happen to them.