A deserving but apparently not welcome candidate.I have a problem with the all-star voting system. Players who don't deserve to make the all-star game are getting more votes than players who clearly deserve to be called all-stars. Players like Shaq and Allen Iverson, who have been deserving all-stars in the past but whose numbers are not up to par with fellows these days, still get the same ridiculous amount of votes they have always gotten. Meanwhile, up and coming stars like Brandon Roy, Devin Harris, and former Celtic Al Jefferson are not getting the consideration the deserve. Simply based on their numbers and what they have done for their team this season, Devin, Roy, and Al should be getting the nod not only to be in the game, but to start it. Unfortunately this is not the case, as players like Yi Jianlian, whose numbers are not all that impressive, are going to make it for reasons I won't begin to discuss here. So get online and vote for players who deserve to go, like Big Al! All-Star games should not be a popularity contest, and they don't have to be if people recognize true talent and performance rather than charisma. Unfortunately, there are many idiots out there who will never be able to comprehend this.
Here are some obvious all-stars who everyone knows and loves and should definitely be going:
Dwight Howard (C), Chris Paul (PG), Dwayne Wade (SG), LeBron James (SF). I am not so sure about Tim Duncan or Chris Bosh for my all-team NBA PF. Yao (C) should go too. This is just general, not for both leagues.
Here are some not-so-well-known but deserving all-stars:
Brandon Roy (SG), Devin Harris (PG), Al Jefferson (C), Zack Randolph (PF), Danny Granger (SF)
Small forward and shooting guard are the most competitive positions and will have the most representatives, and probably the most snubs.
People who do not deserve to go but probably will:
Yi Jianlian, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady
For more baffling statistics go here: http://www.nba.com/2008/news/12/11/firstallstarreturns/index.html
Now not everything is wrong here. Most of the trends are okay. But people need to recognize players for their performance, not for their reputation. I'm not saying don't vote for the players on your team. But vote for players who deserve to go to the game too! Agh I don't know. The fact that Rondo is not even on the list here (nor is Durant of the Thunder) leaves me confounded to no end. And the players trailing or leading in votes that I mentioned bother me too. Something needs to be changed here...amirite?
