Though for the past couple of years, NBA All-Star Weekend has fallen on Valentine's Day, this time around its on February 20th, leaving us about a month away. Unfortunately I doubt I will be going this year, but nevertheless, the event still has me excited. Getting to see the best of the best go head to head is a basketball fan's dream come true, especially when the decision is left up to the public. Or at least thats what the case is supposed to be. However, with more or less the same players being chosen for groups of years at a time, I have to wonder how much is actually put in our hands, and how much is predetermined.
Lets take Kevin Garnett for example. Now, my bias against his team, and him personally, aside, am I really to believe that despite his lackluster performance since his injury, people still consider him entertaining enough to start in the All-Star game? I understand his injury wasn't his fault. And I'm sure he, more than anyone, wishes he was back to normal. But the fact of the matter is, hes not. And probably never will be. Hes still talented, of course. And I guess some people may actually enjoy his trash talking. But I can't help but wonder if certain players, players who have been chosen repeatedly in the past, start off with points already to their name. And if that really is the case, when does it end?
Furthermore, and again, I really don't mean to pick on the Celtics, but it just so happens that my second example is also a member of that team, what is the criteria for voting someone onto the team? Is it legendary status? Is it career accomplishments? Is it popularity? Because although I agree that someone like Shaq should go down in basketball history, in my opinion, thats not what the All-Star game should be about. It should give a chance for the best players OF THE SEASON to show off their stuff, and face up against others doing AS WELL at the current moment. Shaq is an all-time great. No doubt about it. But should he really be second to Dwight Howard?
And don't even get me started on Yao Ming. Many sources have made it clear that he doesn't expect to return to the game any time soon, if ever, yet hes holding the lead in votes in the West. Are you kidding me? A guy who can't even play is taking the spot from a handful of more than capable, and even downright amazing, centers? How? And why?
But I'm not bitter about it all. Derrick Rose is currently in second place for guards in the East, behind Dwyane Wade, and Rondo is close behind in third. Clearly I'd rather have anyone from the Bulls start over a Celtic, especially when it comes to my overall favorite player in the whole league, but Rondo would deserve it. Rondo would make sense. Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony also surely deserve spots on the roster, their seasons off to a great start. And although I haven't been keeping up with him or the Hornets, I could see why Chris Paul would make it as well.
Who do I think will end up starting? I see Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Lebron James and Kevin Garnett (even though Amare Stoudemire is currently beating him) for the East, and Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Yao Ming (is this even possible?), Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony for the West. However, who do I think deserves it? Well...I guess I can't disagree with Dwyane Wade, though hes not high on my "like" list right now. And like I said, I think Derrick Rose has more than earned his spot. Dwight Howard is a given. As is Lebron James. But I would absolutely not have Kevin Garnett in that starting five, instead replacing him with either Amare Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer, who in my opinion, despite starting off the season with an injury, has played like a superstar since. As for the West, moving past Kobe Bryant, I'd stick Monta Ellis or Russell Westbrook in there, who have both shown tremendous improvement, and will only get better, putting Andre Bynum in as center (only because I can't really think of anyone more deserving, not necessarily because I think he does), and then capping it off with both Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. My desired teams may not be all that different from my predicted teams, but if voting is truly based on CURRENT skill, not reputation or popularity, I absolutely can't allow someone like Shaq (who just for the record, is beating Joakim Noah out for second place...) or Yao Ming to be in that lineup.
I'm not sure how much voting actually counts for anything, but in an effort to remain hopeful, I'm begging all of you to grab your phones, or go online, and make your voices heard. I don't want to have to lose my voice screaming at the tv Sunday, February 20th :)
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