Arenas, Jamison deserve to be All-Stars

By Warren Blatt, NBA Editor

(Basketball News) - The starters for the East and West in the 54th annual NBA All-Star Game have already been determined. On Tuesday, the reserves for both conferences will be announced.

For the first time since 1987, Washington has two players that could represent the franchise in the All-Star Game, which will be played on February 20th at the Pepsi Center.

In 1987, the Washington Bullets, who became the Wizards for the 1997-98 regular season, were represented in the All-Star Game by center Moses Malone and guard Jeff Malone. Washington’s Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas both deserve to be on the Eastern Conference bench on February 20th in Denver, Colorado.

The Wizards have been one of the biggest surprises in the league this season, as they own a 27-19 record after 46 games played. Jamison, who was acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Mavericks in June 2004, and Arenas are the two biggest reasons that Washington has a chance to qualify for the postseason for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

Arenas is playing in his fourth season in the league and has never appeared in an All-Star Game in his career. Originally selected after his sophomore season at Arizona by the Golden State Warriors in the second round (31st pick overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, Arenas signed with Washington as a free agent in August 2003.

The 23-year-old Arenas, who averages just under 40 minutes of action per game, has been phenomenal for the Wizards this season. The explosive point guard has played in 44 of Washington’s first 46 contests and leads the club in scoring at 24.3 points per game. He has also recorded 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

The Arizona product has been consistent this season, as he has scored in double-digits in 42 of 44 games and has netted 20 or more points in 34 contests. Arenas, who has led the Wizards in scoring in 24 of the team’s first 46 games, is shooting 43 percent from the field and 36 percent from three- point range.

Arenas has tough competition at guard in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson and Cleveland’s LeBron James were selected by the fans to be the starting backcourt for the All-Star Game. Boston’s Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups of the Pistons, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, New York’s Stephon Marbury Orlando’s Steve Francis and Michael Redd of the Bucks are all possibilities for the reserve guard spots on the East squad.

The 27-year-old Jamison, who is playing in his seventh season in the league, has also never played in an NBA All-Star Game. Jamison, who played his college ball at North Carolina, played the first five seasons of his career with Golden State (1998-2003) and spent the 2003-04 campaign with the Mavericks.

Jamison, who has not missed a regular season game since 1999-00, has provided the scoring and rebounding that the Wizards lacked up front last season. The North Carolina product is averaging 20.4 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game. He has started all 46 of Washington’s contests and is playing over 39 minutes per game.

The 6-9 Jamison has scored in double-digits 43 times this season and has netted 20 or more points in 24 of those contests. He has registered 18 double- doubles and has played 40 or more minutes in 27 games.

New Jersey’s Vince Carter and Orlando’s Grant Hill are the starting forwards for the East. The depth at guard in the conference is much greater than it is at forward. Jamison should absolutely be playing in Denver on February 20th.

Arenas and Jamison have made the Wizards a playoff contender this season. Both players have played like All-Stars, and they have earned the right to make their first appearances in an NBA All-Star Game.