Posted by Rob Peterson (NBA.com)
on
Feb 21 2005 2:24 A.M. ET
For MVP Voters, Ai Was a Crystal Clear Choice.
(Andrew Bernstein / NBAE / GETTYIMAGES)
Before The Game, We nba.commers ask OURSELVES THIS Question: WHO WILL WIN THE All-Star game MVP?
"For the record, I said kg.)
Because, if you think about it, Allen Iverson was the logical choice to win the 54th NBA All-Star Game MVP. Obviously, his play in the All-Star Game warranted it, but coming into the All-Star Game, Iverson's been the Best Player in the League.
We Should Have Known.
Iverson has averaged 37.5 points per game in his last five heading into the break, including a 60-point outburst against the Magic on Feb. 12. Pound-for-pound, the Answer may be the toughest player in NBA history. You can see How much he loves to play hoops Because He Throws Himself at the mercy of its physical nature, Night in and night out.
Yet, in the All-Star Game, the playful Iverson comes out. He thrives in the game's loose structure. (Shhhh! He did have seven turnovers.) He bobbed, weaved, deked and feinted his way to his second All-Star MVP Award. I Know He Does This Magic During The Regular Season, TOO, But in The All-Star Game, A Smile Comes Out and the I'm-dead-Serious Regular-Season Scowl Disappears. He Looks Relaxed.
And as we blogged earlier, next to shaq, no one seems to enjoy this every-is-watching event more than iverson.
Tonight in Denver, IT Showed. And now Show: another all-star game mvp award.
As for the rest of the game, we thought the West might make a run at the end, especially after Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen each hit two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. But down the stretch, the West clanked look after open Look, Even Missing a Couple of Layups.allen LED All Scorers with 17 Points, Bryant Was Second With 16 And Iverson, Tim Duncan and Jermaine O'neal Had 15 Points Apiece.
Now, for Our Unofficial All-Star Game Awards.
Making the Most of His Time Award, East: Jermaine O'NEAL, Indianaj.o. Tallied 15 Points and Five Boards in 19 minutes. That's efficient.
Making the Most of His Time Award, West:.. Tim Duncan, San AntonioT.D scored 15 points in 16 minutes and grabbed nine boards If the West could have closed the gap at the end, Duncan probably would have been on the floor in Crunch Time.
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Mr. Accurate Award: Shawn Marion, Phoenixmarion Had 10 Points on 5-for-7 shanging in 16 minutes of play.
The Iron Man Award: Iversonat 32 Minutes, Iverson Got The Most Burn. Lebron James Was a Close Second With 31 Minutes.
The Rookie of the Game Award:. LeBron James, ClevelandWith 13 points, eight boards and six dimes, LBJ's well-rounded game put him into contention for the Game's MVP award As it was, his debut was the best of the seven first-time All-stars.
