And the All Stars wrap up with, as usual, some easy decisions and some difficult ones. Read on to find out what was decided!
If you are wondering what criteria was used to determine these All Stars, please refer to the first post on this subject.
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1st Team: GM Wesley So (STL)
There was not much of a decision to be made, as has been stated elsewhere GM So very likely put together the most impressive USCL Season that has ever been seen by any player. Scoring an incredible 10/11 against extremely stiff opposition along with four of his games being voted the best of their week, stats like this may remain unparalleled by any player for many years.
In all, it was truly a remarkable season by the elite GM, finishing it off nicely in helping lead his team to their first USCL Championship. The big question League fans, particularly those from St. Louis, will be asking is with his recent move if he will be back to lead the Arch Bishops again in 2015, as if he does it is unlikely that anyone out there will not put St. Louis near the top of their list as they rank who is most likely to win the Championship next season.
Record: 10.0 / 11 (91%)
Performance Rating: 2915
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2nd Team: GM Gata Kamsky (NY)
This decision was tougher as both Kamsky and Orlov had some factors favoring them when being compared. Both scored plus three against very tough opposition so it mostly came down to judging Kamsky having played more games vs Orlov’s better performance rating and lower rating. This, like many decisions, was very close, but in the end we felt the several extra games played should be given more weight (as it often is since it tends to correlate much more than the other stats into how valuable the player really was to the team effort). And so by a narrow margin, Kamsky was given the nod to the second team.
It was certainly an interesting first season for him, starting somewhat slowly (as new players to the League often do) scoring only one out of his first three but catching fire late, scoring five out of his last six. No doubt that this late season surge by him was a big part of New York’s impressive late season run to a great regular season record and eventual trip to the Semifinals. And though the team fell a bit short of their overall goal, if he can return next season in the same form he ended this season on, the Knights will definitely be a team to look out for again.
Record: 6.0 / 9 (67%)
Performance Rating: 2776
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3rd Team: IM Georgi Orlov (SEA)
As mentioned above, Orlov was very close to making the second team, and though that close decision wound up going against him, he still earned himself a very deserved placement on the third team, his second season as an All Star.
Although, like some of his All Star compatriots, he has never been especially active in any season of the League, he has, somewhat quietly, become one of the most consistent players in the League, racking up one very solid season after another. And there can be no doubt that this consistency has been a big part in Seattle continuing to be a dangerous team year after year, not to mention their 2012 Championship. If he and Golub return in 2015, the Sluggers will be another team to watch out for next season.
Record: 4.5 / 6 (75%)
Performance Rating: 2874
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Other Candidates:
Two players who were both very active, scoring plus two against stiff competition and were close to making it were GM Daniel Naroditsky (SF) (5.0 / 8, 2722 Performance) and GM Mackenzie Molner (ARZ) (5.5 / 9, 2715 Performance), but we felt Kamsky and Orlov were slightly better candidates, though a half point more by either player would likely have changed this decision.
Several other players who were either very active or scored plus two as well and were therefore not far from consideration were GM Julio Becerra (MIA) (6.5 / 12, 2674 Performance), GM Conrad Holt (DAL) (5.5 / 10, 2644 Performance), GM Alex Lenderman (3.0 / 4, 2897 Performance), IM Steven Zierk (BOS) (4.0 / 6, 2711 Performance), and GM Robert Hungaski (MAN) (4.0 / 6, 2699 Performance). All had strong seasons, but again not quite All Star caliber.
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And so those are the All Star Teams! Congratulations again to all those who made it:
First Team:
1. GM Wesley So (STL) (2751)
2. GM Le Quang Liem (STL) (2785)
3. NM Francisco Guadalupe II (DAL) (2351)
4. NM David Golub (SEA) (2270)
Average Rating: 2539
Second Team:
1. GM Gata Kamsky (NY) (2785)
2. GM Joel Benjamin (NJ) (2634)
3. NM Richard Francisco (ATL) (2382)
4. NM Karthik Ramachandran (DAL) (2257)
Average Rating: 2515
Third Team:
1. IM Georgi Orlov (SEA) (2528)
2. GM Andrey Stukopin (RIO) (2631)
3. FM Cameron Wheeler (SF) (2368)
4. NM Levy Rozman (MAN) (2382)
Average Rating: 2477
Stay tuned as we announce the 2014 Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player awards before we begin the Game of the Year Contest!