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Show 14 WEDNESDAY, THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 2000 JANUARY 19, Your NBA All - Stars, According to Thurfoer SMITH continued from page 10 have to take," Smith said. "If I couldn't play football, i would still have school, but I wouldn't know what to do. "It's hard to deal with something you have no control over," Smith continued. "It's like being a little kid and an adult at the same time." Smith isn't in a hurry to start working out any time soon because he still docs not feel comfortable with the injury. This is understandable, seeing how it almost cost him the one thing he enjoys most. With Smith returning to the lineup, Utah could have the most MWC's potent in the league. With Chris Christcnsen returning from a broken leg, and Clifford Russell and Johnny Lundy both back along with Smith, the Utcs should have no problems finding targets to chuck the ball at. "We're going to be set at receiver" Smith said. "I hope teams try to work their gamcplans around me. I like that. If they do, they'll get beat by the other guys on the team. It takes a lot away from their defense." pass-receive- 1! II I I! E at this position The true are Kevin Garnett, Malone or even Tim Duncan. It may be a little too much to ask for Brian Grant, but his skills on the court wiil lead the Blazers into the future, not Pippen's streaky style. Another controversial position this year in the West is the guards. There's really no doubt :n my mind that the winner should undoubtedly be Jason Kidd of the Phoenix Suns. However, with so many morons throwing their votes away, it's looking as if fans could be subjected to either Kobe Bryant or Gary Pay ton. If Bryant starts, the game will take a horrible turn and the West's defensive edge will be lost. e Kidd seems to pick up a each night and has the Suns playing way above their heads. He's an early candidate for MVP, but might not start in the game. While the West will probably dominate this year, it's ultimately the Eastern selections which will determine the effectiveness and intensity level of this year's All-Sta- MATT THURBER Chronicle Sports Columnist The ballots are in for the NBA teams, but that doesn't mean the correct players have been chosen. Most of these games are popularity contests while deserving All-St- ar stars get left home. Since I hate when the descrying go unrecognized, I'm letting you know who should be in Oakland, Calif., for this year's game. Instead of voting for the players with the highest level of crass com- rs mercial endorsements, think people need to look at statistics and longevity as important factors when making final selections. Unfortunately, the voting is a little disturbing this year, considering that Scottie Pippen had more votes than Karl Malone for one of the forward positions in the West. Most people fail to recognize Portland's successful run this year has almost nothing to do with Pippen. I Steve Smith has recovered from a potentially R S f T I Vgj 1 career-threatenin- T neck injury. g I I E I ! I I S T I rs triple-doubl- All-St- ar Game. When it comes to voting for the center, this one is another Miami's Alonzo Mourning. If there's another candidate who has been overlooked, it would be Atlanta's Dikembe Mutombo. All the other nominees are mediocre and can't come close to Mourning's intensity and quickness. As the guards of the West are a little difficult to pick, the same goes for the Eastern teams. According to the numbers, the majority of voters have showed interest in Allen Iver-so- n er and Eddie Jones. If people voted based on more than pure stats, we'd probably see players like Ray Allen and the young Kerry Kittles. Both these players deserve to be although it's hard to make a case against Iverson and Jones. At least Allen made the Olympic All-Star- s, team. UniUERSITV 9W P E R H f vJ'W S h$F& Jtesj!i' 'r 4'' 1, ' H R R 1 0 T T UTAH & M' 'v,fSf HI CLASSIC vs MINNESOTA Friday, January 21, 7 p.m. Jon M. Huntsman Center ' Fcr Tkl(e, lnforma!ion cqI1 58 Students with a valid ID admitted free. www.uloliotes.tom " ' The final category for the East is forwards and it would be crazy to overlook the amazing moves of Toronto's Vince Carter. He alone could put fans in the seats. Watching him play is like buying tickets for an air show. Grant Hill is another easy pick. He is carrying the Pistons on his shoulders and could be the best player in the league right now. Without Hill, Detroit would fail off the NBA map into a deep hole somewhere. The only other player worthy of making it in the East would be Latrell Spreweli. He should make the team for his style of heading to the basket like a runaway freight train. When push comes to shove, the voting is an opportunity for fans to raise their voice and take part in the democratic process. The voting needs to be more than a popularity show. The players such as Detlef Schrempf or Terry Porter should be recognized All-St- ar blue-colla- r, hard-worki- somehow. MMB ErisPr! ihiniitaies fc&ibi KiilfelDajne TnereaMI CHRONY ' SEEKS SPORT '".. ImjfliKjScl'iiiBB PmmM iuiiia Lind- -i Tanner WIN FREE TUITION BircllLn Students Bshltg Keitei Beniselcnes Jemij Srhmidl attendance have a chance to win Colli one semester's tuition. Last Year Goodrich was a happy winner of a semester's luition. You could be but you must be there to win! nexf, in by the Daily Utah Chronicle ! WRITERS. Apply 240 Union. |