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Anthony Davis All-Star Bid Open Thread

By Oleh Kosel
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sport

Today is the big day. Does Anthony Davis get into the All-Star game on the strength of 29 head coach's votes or do we need to hope for the NBA commissioner to replace an injured player with the league's newest superstar? Per NBA.com:

In selecting reserves for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, the 30 NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their own team. After the coaches select the reserves, if a player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, the NBA Commissioner will select the replacement.

Many are aware of Davis' raw numbers and we here at TheBirdWrites have raved about him almost on a daily basis. But don't take our word for it -- everyone, at some point, has talked about his exploits:

  • ESPN Stats & Info: All-Star cast: The Case for Wall and Davis
  • On the Pelicans website, they put together a nice collage that's worth a look.

On multiple occasions, Monty Williams has stated that he believes Davis belongs in this year's showcase game:

"I think if he hasn't done enough, I don't know what else you can do," Williams said Sunday night. "Every night he carries our team, even when he doesn't have a great offensive night, he's there on defense. He's rebounding. Blocking shots. When the moment was there tonight, he took over. And that's what All-Stars do.

"I don't know what else he can do. I know the coaches pay attention to the guys around the league who play winning basketball. And he's certainly done that. To be able to do that at 20 years old, and to be able to improve the way he's improved, it says a lot about his ability to not only make the All-Star team, but he just wants to win. To me, that's what All-Stars are."

However, he claims that he refuses to publicly campaign for the Unibrow:

New Orleans coach Monty Williams said he will not call coaches to campaign for Davis, the first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft who is averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and a league-leading three blocked shots per game.

"I think we all feel like what people do on the floor is the most important," Williams said. "I have people talking to me about Anthony so I haven't had to do that. It's not something any of the coaches I've been around have done before."

While that sounds like typical noble Monty, I'm not sure that's his best route. For instance, well-respected head coach, Doc Rivers, has no issues trying to get his guy into the big game:

Rivers now would like to see his big three in New Orleans for the NBA All-Star Game and has gone as far as lobbying his fellow Western Conference coaches to include Jordan in their vote to make the team as a reserve.

"I got a great response," Rivers said. "But that's why you go under a curtain when you're stumping and they vote real because [they say], 'Yeah, I'm going to vote for him,' and then they shift that other lever."

Rivers said many of the coaches he called said they would vote for Jordan while others said they liked him without saying whether they would include him.

Oh well, before we turn this post into another Full Monty, let's get back to the topic on hand: Anthony Davis, the youngest superstar in the game. Does he deserve to get selected tonight on TNT? Or do you believe other NBA players should/will be chosen first? Perhaps the Pelicans W/L record is just too much to overcome?

What say you?

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