NBA All-Stars - Snubs and the Ridiculous Voting System

So, barring injury, the NBA All-Star rosters have been set.

East Starters
LeBron James - F - Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Garnett - F - Boston Celtics
Dwight Howard - C - Orlando Magic
Dwyane Wade - G - Miami Heat
Allen Iverson - G - Philadelphia 76ers

East Reserves
Chris Bosh - F - Toronto Raptors
Rajon Rondo - G - Boston Celtics
Paul Pierce - G - Boston Celtics
Joe Johnson - G - Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford - C/F - Atlanta Hawks
Derrick Rose - G - Chicago Bulls
Gerald Wallace - F - Charlotte Bobcats

West Starters
Kobe Bryant - G - Los Angeles Lakers
Carmelo Anthony - F - Denver Nuggets
Tim Duncan - F - San Antonio Spurs
Steve Nash - G - Phoenix Suns
Amare Stoudemire - C - Phoenix Suns

West Reserves
Kevin Durant - F - Oklahoma City
Pau Gasol - F - Los Angeles Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki - F - Dallas Mavericks
Chris Paul - G - New Orleans Hornets
Zach Randolph - F - Memphis Grizzlies
Brandon Roy - G - Portland Trail Blazers
Deron Williams - G - Utah Jazz

I have a few problems with the roster, and one HUGE problem with the voting system.

Let me start with the absolutely laughable starter selection process. For those of you unfamiliar with the voting process, the fans vote in the starters. I'm not saying the fans shouldn't have a say in who plays. Since the game is essentially for the fans, they should have a stake in who laces up, but it shouldn't be 100%. I think maybe 50% fans, 25% players, 25% coaches. I also think there should be a minimum games played regulation as well, but we'll get to that later. Plain and simple, two deserving Eastern Conference players are not All-Stars because of the idiotic selection of Allen Iverson, and the marginally stupid selection of Kevin Garnett, neither of whom are worthy of All-Star nods. I'd also argue that the coaches chose the wrong Western Center in the 90210.

Since the beginning of the season, Allen Iverson was a Memphis Grizzly for three whopping games (who, by the way, are doing splendidly since he left), was granted a leave of absence from the team, 'retired', then returned to Philly, where he has scored a whopping 14.5 pts/game. He has said that he will not disrespect the fans who voted him in by stepping aside, but I think he's disrespecting the other deserving players and the game itself by playing. His giant ego will not allow him to sit it out, just like he would rather return to an awful team be a starter, than be a team player on a winning team. Josh Smith also seems to be pretty deserving, but my suspicion is that even though he is All-Star worthy, the coaches didn't want to put three Atlanta Hawks on the team. Smith just seemed to be the worst of the three Hawk all-stars. (Point of note: remember when four Pistons were chosen? If you're deserving, it shouldn't matter what team you play on).

Kevin Garnett. Ever since his "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!" proclamation, the guy has really gotten on my nerves. Perhaps it is my previously-alluded-to-hatred for all teams from Boston, or perhaps he's just a big tool. A lot of people claim that Garnett's true value is found in the locker room, and that he provides teams with the over-used 'intangible' qualities, but that is not what the All-Star game is about. The fans don't care how motivating someone is in the locker room of a game that is already 79-76 at half-time. Garnett is averaging 15/7 with an efficiency rating of +19.5. Respectable? Sure. All-Star worthy? Nuh-uh. David Lee, although he is of the unfortunate circumstance of playing for the Knicks, is averaging 19/11 with an efficiency rating at a whopping +25.75. Although, if Lee is still around next year he'll have LeBron to dish him the rock, so I have a feeling he'll be alright.

Which brings me to the West. Had Tracy McGrady made the All-Star game this year I would have boycotted the rest of the season. I'm not kidding. That would have been the biggest travesty ever to hit the game. McGrady has long been suspected of receiving his lion's share of votes by being Yao Ming's teammate, who just so happens to come from the most populous country on planet Earth. But come on. The guy has played 46.2 minutes the ENTIRE SEASON, and has a.... wait for it.... 3.2 ppg average. I'm pretty sure Troy Dixon could get to the NBA and score 3.2 ppg. Steve Nash beat out this guy by a few thousand votes. Yeah, the same Steve Nash who is averaging 18.5 ppg and 11 apg.

I also think that the coaches addressed their center's All-Star invitation envelope to "White guy who plays center in Los Angeles", and everyone just assumed it was for Pau Gasol. Guess they should have been more clear in their salutation, perhaps addressing it to "Really white balding guy who plays center for the bad team in Los Angeles", so Chris Kaman would have gotten it instead. I get it. Gasol has been an All-Star before, so he automatically has to un-earn the position, whereas Kaman has to earn it. Gasol's numbers, 17/11, are certainly impressive, but so are Kaman's, 20/9. The number that tells the story for me is the number of games played. Gasol was hurt and played in 29 games, whereas Kaman has played in 41. Combine that with the supporting cast these two players have and I'd say it's pretty clear that Kaman is more valuable to his team.

I'm glad that Zach Randolph has finally gotten a nod. He's been a bit of a problematic player, which could have contributed to him not being picked by the coaches before. I'm also sad that Shaq isn't in, but purely from an entertainment standpoint. He certainly doesn't deserve to be there as a player, I just hope he's there as a spectator and provides a bit of entertainment.

Being a Bulls fan at heart, I probably should cheer for the East. But to be honest, since MJ left, even though my true allegiance still lies in the Windy City, I've been following the Lakers a bit. I've decided, since this is in Dallas, I'm going to cheer for the West so Dirk can bring it home in front of his fans.