Kleeman's Last Word

Grading the NBA All-Star starter selections

The fans voted correctly in most cases. I take issue with three of the starting selections, though. The All-Star Game may be a showboating contest and serve no greater purpose than to let the most popular players dunk and throw ridiculous lob passes. Still, there is something special about being selected to play in the game.
Despite what some fans may think, this should not be a popularity contest. The mid-season classic should reward players who win, or at least do everything they can to get Ws on the board.
Fans should think before they vote, but since that will never happen, I suggest the NBA make some changes to its All-Star system.

1) The rosters should be expanded to 14 or 15 players. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony unfairly used up spots that should have gone to other players. Should the two best shotjackers on the same not-that-good squad be only teammates in either starting 5? The only thing that will keep either player from starting is injury. The NBA forces a player who is voted in to accept his spot. He cannot give it away to another player. He cannot opt to sit out the game unless he is injured. I take no issue with this string of rules.
If you're going trying to get people to watch a meaningless, show-off jamboree, you might as well give them the players they say they would most like to see. The NBA does not, and should not, preach to its fans that their choices are wrong by altering the starting lineups.

However, if players like Iverson and Anthony steal roster spots others should occupy, there should be enough slots to accommodate the deserving players. The West boasts a glut of great guards and Iverson's start means that some terrific guards, possibly an MVP candidate, will get the shaft. I'm happy for the two Denver Nugget players and do not want to spend this entire post decrying their selection by the fans.

The NBA must increase the roster sizes.

2) The NBA should also consider letting fans vote for four of the All-Stars and one reserve, allowing the coaches to select one starter and the rest of the players. That way, Iverson and Anthony would still be voted in, but coaches would have a chance to put Steve Nash or Chris Paul in the starting lineup. A little adjustment should not damage the game.

Here are the starters and my list of reserves.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

starters
G - Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
G - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
F - Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
F - Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
C - Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

reserves
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks or Josh Howard, Dallas Mavericks
Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers

Were there extra room:
Stephen Jackson, Golden State Warriors or Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
David West, New Orleans Hornets

EASTERN CONFERENCE

starters
G - Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
G - Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
F - LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F - Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
C - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

reserves
Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards or Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Andres Nocioni, Chicago Bulls

Were there extra room:
Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers
Whichever Wizard doesn't crack the reserve list

posted by Robert Kleeman @ 3:32 PM