2010 All-Stars Announced

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LeBron, Nash Head List of All-Star Voting; Lopez, Melo Two of Nine First-Timers

LeBron James hopes to lead the Wasatch Conference for their first-ever victory over the World Conference in the 2010 All-Star Game, which will be held on top of Angel Falls in Venezuela during Week 16's bye week.

MARACAIBO (La Verdad)—The 2010 All-Star starters and reserves were named this morning, to much fanfare and gusto during a break in the Rigby-Maracaibo Week 13 matchup. While the big story may be the return of Iguanas favorite son LeBron James, this time as a Trojan bent on leading the Wasatch to their first ever All-Star victory, there are plenty of interesting story lines for this year's Mid-Winter Classic. Below are the voting results, with comments.









Position, Name, Team (All-Star Appearances)

Mo Williams, St. George Underdogs (1)
Deron Williams, Twin Falls Gators (2)
Rajon Rondo, Nephi Stratagem (1)



Kevin Durant, Park City Sundancers (2)
Dwyane Wade, Park City Sundancers (5)
Brandon Roy, Nephi Stratagem (1)



LeBron James, Rigby Trojans (5) * 2006 EBP
Gerald Wallace, Park City Sundancers (3)
Danilo Gallinari, Nephi Stratagem (1)

Dirk Nowitzki, Salt Lake SnowBees (5)
Carlos Boozer, Rigby Trojans (2)
Andrea Bargnani, Park City Sundancers (1)

Brook Lopez, Park City Sundancers (1)
Tim Duncan, Twin Falls Gators (4)
Amar'e Stoudemire, Nephi Stratagem (4)



Wasatch Comments: Rajon Rondo is the lowest-rated player to make the All-Star team; Nephi (that's right, Nephi) was tied with Park City for most All-Stars (4), but the recent trade with Rigby that brought Brook Lopez to the Sundancers gives the defending runners-up five All-Stars; Lopez gets the start at center in only his second season in the league; Mo Williams, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Roy, Danilo Galinari, and Andrea Bargnani are other first-timers for the Wasatch; it's a bitter-sweet victory for Mo Williams, who will be out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury. Deron Williams would take his place—his first-ever All-Star start, and Steph Curry will be an injury addition, representing Rigby; LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are appearing in their record fifth All-Star games, while the King is the only player in league history to start in every Mid-Winter Classic; Pau Gasol needn't worry about his complexion problems in the thin air of Angel Falls. The SnowBees center was nowhere to be found on this year's selection.


















New York's recent play isn't the only thing turning heads lately. Steve Nash gets the starting nod over Chris Paul in this year's All-Star game, marking Nash's fourth appearance.








Position, Name, Team (All-Star Appearances)

Steve Nash, New York Kings (4)
Chris Paul, Zermatt Abominables (3) * 2009 EBP
Jason Kidd, Richmond Butchers (3)




Kobe Bryant, Udorn Jai-Rai (5)
Andre Iguodala, Los Iguanas de Maracaibo (3)
Monta Ellis, Zermatt Abominables (1)




Carmelo Anthony, Richmond Butchers (1)
Joe Johnson, Bayside Tigers (3)
Paul Pierce, New York Kings (4)

Chris Bosh, Bayside Tigers (4)
Al Horford, Udorn Jai-Rai (1)
Nene, Udorn Jai-Rai (2)

Marcus Camby, Richmond Butchers (4)
David Lee, Los Iguanas de Maracaibo (2)
Zach Randolph, Udorn Jai-Rai (1)



World Comments: Kobe Bryant is gets the starting nod at shooting guard, after relinquishing the spot to Dwyane Wade a year ago for the Wasatch squad; Richmond leads the World with four All-Stars, while Udorn, with their three All-Stars, is the only other World team to nab more than two spots; this is Chris Paul's third selection, but the reigning All-Star EBP's first non-start; Carmelo Anthony headlines a group of four first-timers (Monta Ellis, Al Horford, and Zach Randolph) for the World Conference, getting the start at small forward; Three of the four PF/C backups are members of the Udorn Jai-Rai.


So what do you think? That look about right? Did your precious player get snubbed? Upset that stupid Steve Nash barely beat out America's favorite point guard for the World's starting spot? Vent in the comments!

2010 All-Star: On A Whole 'Nother Level

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2010 WFBL ALL-STAR TO TAKE PLACE ON TOP OF ANGEL FALLS IN VENEZUELA

LA GRAN SABANA (La Verdad)—The WFBL has been called a lot of things, but "ascared of heights" isn't one of them.

In a press conference from the top of Angel Falls, the world's largest waterfall, WFBL Commissioner Ben Barnes—along with Los Iguanas de Maracaibo owner Fran Hopkin and Venezuela dictator Hugo Chavez—announced that the 2010 WFBL All-Star festivities will be played entirely on top of the Venezuelan tourist attraction.

"We've held this great event in so many famous cities known for their great tourist attractions," said Barnes, who, along with Hopkin and Chavez, arrived at the press conference via Commish-copter. "New York, New Orleans, Switzerland, Salt Lake City. I would say 'world's highest waterfall' fits under that same category.

"It's our fifth season. we figured having the game played in a jungle 3,212 feet above ground would be a great way to celebrate."



















Bringing the mid-season festivities to a country whose president openly despises every good, apple-pie eating, MTV-watching, capitalist thing that the mostly-USA-based basketball league stands for was a difficult task for Iguanas owner Fran Hopkin. "As we know, our loved president Hugo Chavez and the United States of the America has not always seen the eye-to-eye," said Hopkin. "But you can be much surprised that as of good the Chavez and Obama have ahead been obtaining. They have really much more in field common that you can take care of to know, to be truth. Wink wink."

The 2010 All-Star logo, featuring the famous waterfall, as well as elements from the Iguanas identity system, was also unveiled at the press conference. The secondary mark features a palm tree ensconced in a basketball.

"We're pleased as punch to be bringing the festivities to Venezuela, if not particularly Maracaibo," said Barnes (Angel Falls is about as far away in Venezuela from Maracaibo as you can get). "As for those who think it's a crazy idea, there is a precedent for this, sort of. Did you see UP? All sorts of fun shenanigans took place on top of Angel Falls in that movie. We've got Phil Jackson back at the WFBL offices blowing up balloons as we speak."

The 2010 WFBL All-Star Diversion Week will be held Feb 8-14th, culminating with the 2010 WFBL All-Star Game on Feb 14th.