NBA All Star Starters Announced

Fan voting closed and starters for the 2010 NBA All Star game in Dallas were announced last night. Fan voting has been questioned in the past, but it almost reached new heights this season. Sometimes makes me wonder if they guys voting for this watch the games or just play video games all day. Nevertheless here is my breakdown: First the Western Conference.

Guard Steve Nash

Guard Kobe Bryant

Forward Carmelo Anthony

Forward Tim Duncan

Center Amare’ Stoudamire

Now crisis #1 was averted when Steve Nash over took Tracy McGrady with a late surge. It would have been a mockery for T-Mac to have been voted in as a starter when a) he has played  only 6 games this season and b) he is away from the team because the team doesn’t want him around causing problems. You gotta feel bad for Dirk Nowitzki because he isn’t going to get to start in the game which is in his home city due to a late push by Tim Duncan in the voting. (Come on Dallas fans how can you let that happen?) While I like Amare’ I think that it would have been better served if Duncan had been listed as a Center on the ballet. Duncan is very deserving to start this season so I won’t complain too much. Carmelo, Kobe, and Nash are sure things so the West looks pretty good to me.

Now the Eastern Conference:

Guard Allen Iverson

Guard Dwayne Wade

Forward LeBron James

Forward Kevin Garnett

Center Dwight Howard

Ok while the Western Conference starters stabilized a little in the last few days of voting the Eastern Conference never did. Dwight Howard, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade are also sure things in the East and require no more discussion in my opinion. First let me make it clear that I like Kevin Garnett. There I said it. I am a Hawk fan who likes KG. Always have back to his days at Minnesota. I respect his game but he shouldn’t be starting the All Star game. For one Chris Bosh has had an amazing season and is more deserving no matter what their respective team records are. That said if KG is healthy and wants to play which I am sure will be limited minutes then I won’t complain because he is the consummate team guy, and that to me should be rewarded.  Now to the big problem that I have.

There is NO WAY that a guy who quit on one team already this season should be elected to start the All Star game. Let me make this clear not only do I not want Iverson to start I don’t want him to play. He needs to claim an injury. If he wants to go, get announced, take his bow, then fine, but if he suits up and logs one second in this game then it is a travesty and the fans got it all wrong. You don’t reward someone that does what Iverson did this year. I know I am preaching to the choir here because there is no way that he isn’t playing in this game. This is the stage he loves, this makes him feel vilified. After going the whole off season without anyone offering him a job the Grizzlies did him a favor and gave him a contract. Instead of being thankful for an opportunity he cried and complained about his role, that he was a starter no matter if that was the best thing for the team or not. Ultimately he took his ball and went home saying he would rather retire than come off the bench. That completely explains to you this man’s ego and priorities.

Just when you thought Iverson was going to drift off into retirement Philly comes and saves him. Granted you haven’t heard any bad stuff coming out of Philly about him. The team recently guaranteed his contract through the rest of the season so he must not be causing problems. Philly still isn’t winning though and signing Iverson was more about getting people to buy tickets than about trying to win basketball games. This guy just doesn’t get it and he isn’t going to this late in his career. He should have been begging a contender to let him come off their bench in a Vinnie “Microwave” Johnson role just for a chance to get back to the NBA Finals but NO his ego is bigger than that. For once in your career Allen you should do the right thing, the team thing and not play in this game. For once give your spot up.