OT: Whats Wrong With The NBA All Star Game? With a Poll

by cavejunctionblazer on Mar 2, 2010 1:44 PM PST

Down below I posted a link to a great story I read from SB Nations Andrew Sharp, about the strange season that Allen Iverson had. Now, I have always bluntly stated the fact the I do not like Iverson. But my post isnt an AI bashing post. Its a post about the NBA and whats really wrong with the All Star game.

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/3/2/1333192/allen-iverson-leaves-76ers-personal-reasons

So, after reading that story, if you are me, you find yourself asking: How is it possible that this guy made it to the All Star game? Something is seriously wrong here. We need a better voting system or for sure we shouldnt let the fans pick, especially if they can have endless votes. Anyways, it doesnt seem fair to guys that have a good season, and deserve to be All Stars not make it, while old, washed up players, who dont even play, make it.

Now, I do understand situations where a player is injured and they need a backup All Star to fill that position and indeed that did happen this year. But AI a starter on the All Star team, cmon--that is a slap in the face! He hardly played and left teams because of playing time issues and teams not starting him. Then he gets to start on the All Star team? Wow-Thats NUTS! What a diss to the players that really work their tails off only to get passed over for the likes of Iverson.

Any ideas on how this can be remedied? Any ideas on a better voting system? Should fans vote for All Stars? Should they only be allowed 1 vote per position? Should it be up to the coaches? Should it be up to the players?

Anyways, thanks for reading my post. That SB post got me thinking. Let me know what you think. I get so much awesome feedback from this site and its members, I know someone will have some ideas.

Peace,

Cavejunctionblazer

PS- And just so you dont think im some cold hearted jerk, it seems Iverson left the 76ers to take care of his sick 4year old daughter and it had nothing to do with playing time issues. You cant fault him for that. And I hope his kid gets well soon.

Poll

Should Allen Iverson have made it to the All Star game as a starter?

Yes

20 votes

No

130 votes

Yes, but not as a starter

5 votes

155 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

he didn't play in the game, so no harm

but i see your point

Awesomeness (ô'səm-nes)
1. n. Something that inspires awe
2. n. Nicolas Batum

by thomasikehara on Mar 2, 2010 1:52 PM PST reply actions

Iverson is a legendary (legacy) player, who was voted in due to fan support

fans pay for salaries, and make the NBA go round, and I was happy to see an old-school baller like AI make it into one last All-Star game

by thankyouforblaze on Mar 4, 2010 3:06 AM PST up reply actions

The All Star game player selection needs revamped

favors major market players way too much.

And honestly this endless voting garbage has got to go. The league would be better served having All Star election day, a 24 hour period where fan votes are cast only and then throw in a mix of media, coache and player votes.

As there are 4 basic constituencies here 25% per group sounds reasonable.

Stern does it this way because it is his job to make it make money, the higher number of fan votes = buy in to actually watch the silly game. It is an honor for a player to get the votes or the selection nod for the team, but the game itslef is a farce

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Mar 2, 2010 1:59 PM PST reply actions

I would suggest that the system is perfect

And that you are looking at it from the wrong perspective. The all star game is not supposed to the best players playing good basketball. It is supposed to be a show put on that meets the desires of the fans.

If the goal is to give the fans what they want, what better way to do so than asking them? As for multiple votes, the people that care the most – the biggest fans – get a bigger say.

Still on the Rex bandwagon.

by dan_the_man on Mar 2, 2010 2:11 PM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I was irritated about the voting system for awhile

but you are 100% correct. The game is all about who the fans want to see, not necessarily the best players. The voting system is fine the way it is. And even though I voted no, in reality Allen Iverson is still hugely popular and if people want to watch him they have every right to send him to the game.

Getting on the All-NBA team is really what players should value and as fans thats what we should appreciate more.

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 2, 2010 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

I see what you are saying, however

one issue with this. When players retire they get mentioned as “such and such player” with “said amount of all star appearances”. This lets us know quickly just how good a career a player had. It is a farce for A.I. or T-mac for that matter to be voted All star starters much less even reserves. This is directly tied to a players legacy and should not be skewed by a ton of unknowledgable fans who just want to see the name and not the player, i dare say if anyone saw A.I. or T-mac this year and had a good knowledge of the game they could not and would not vote them to start or even to play in the game. I understand the notion that the game os for the fans but it really isnt to a degree, it is a legacy thing also. It would be like the L*kers getting voted to win the title every year cause everyone in the world knows who they are, it is a farce.

by blazerbeliever97504 on Mar 2, 2010 5:08 PM PST up reply actions

then people should start changing it

and start mentioning all nba selections and not all star selections.

I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.

"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden

by Philthyanimal on Mar 2, 2010 6:25 PM PST up reply actions

+1

" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010

by jamon51 on Mar 3, 2010 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

agreed

I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.

"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden

by Philthyanimal on Mar 2, 2010 6:24 PM PST up reply actions

This is the correct answer

Coaches get enough of a say to get guys like Roy on the team (players who deserve to be there but may not be in a big enough market to get voted in by fans) but it has always been about a show for the fans so why take away their vote?

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Mar 2, 2010 10:58 PM PST up reply actions

there are several things that need to change

1) the assembly of the ballot

there were guys like Marc Gasol and others who were completely left of the ballot because of who assembles it and how early it has to be put together….in the digital age they should be able to put the ballot together about 1 month before and get the coaches input, not just writers, etc. That would at least get the right players on the eligible list

2) Fan voting has to change

I’m all about the fans choosing the players, since the All-Star game is a fan-centered event, but some of the technical aspects need to change. For example, players can only start if they’ve played a certain # of minutes/games/ etc. The ONE example where this was not the best system was when Magic Johnson was voted into the 1992 all-star game despite not playing due to his HIV announcement…but that has been the only one that was like that…when Vince Carter was voted in ahead of MJ a few years back, he gave up the spot to him-as he should. Likewise, regardless of wanting to please the fan’s wishes, Iverson should have immediately given up his spot this year….I’m all for the fans voting for starters but there have to be some rules in place to regulate it so guys don’t play that aren’t even playing minutes in real games

3) the events need to be tweaked

the rookie-sophmore games needs to be part of All-Star Saturday night, and they need to move the Shooting Star and Skills crap to Friday. Keep the dunk contest (more on this) and 3 point shootout on Saturday, but move the other stuff to Friday – it’s fluff and should take a second seat to the Rookie-Sophomore game – which should really be a display of the best young talent in the league – it’s a legit draw

4) dunk contest has to change

after all of the hype and discussion of last season’s dunk contest, this year’s wass even worse…total garbage, not exciting dunks at all, the players aren’t even exciting..Gerald Wallace acted like he didn’t even want to be there…and Nate Robinson only wins because he’s the shortest guy on the floor. They REALLY NEED to get legit players in this thing….give me Lebron, Josh Smith, Andre Igoudala, Rudy Gay, JR Smith, an Shannon Brown (actually doing some legit dunks this time hopefully), and that’s a contest..,..and i have to say here, Lebron saying he was going to do it this year at last year’s contest to one-up the other guys, then pulling out before was WEAK….we all know he would win it and I don’t have a problem with him not doing it, but don’t say you’re going to and then pull out

by rip_city_swagger on Mar 2, 2010 3:03 PM PST reply actions

…regardless of wanting to please the fan’s wishes, Iverson should have immediately given up his spot this year…

I don’t understand your reasoning. The point of the event is to give the fans what they want. What measure are you using that trumps the fan

Still on the Rex bandwagon.

by dan_the_man on Mar 2, 2010 3:20 PM PST up reply actions

d'oh!

…trumps the fans’ wishes?

Still on the Rex bandwagon.

by dan_the_man on Mar 2, 2010 3:20 PM PST up reply actions

Perhaps let the fans vote...

But only let their vote count for 10% of the total votes, or some other predetermined percentage. That way the coaches’ and media members’ votes carry the majority of the weight when selecting starters.

by BOSAKI on Mar 2, 2010 5:12 PM PST reply actions

media members

may not know much more than fans however. i mean if you are a beat writer who covers your home team 82 games a year…how much time can you honestly put towards watching the other 29 teams and make a fair assessment? they will be biased towards their home team, and perhaps teams in their division since they see them most often.

I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.

"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden

by Philthyanimal on Mar 2, 2010 6:27 PM PST up reply actions

I think I've forgotten why the all-star game ever had any appeal

The players don’t care who wins, why should I? Its become more about the show than the game.

There did seem to be genuine interest in the dunk contest a few years ago, but that became a total sham after they brought out the telephone booth – not much of a competition any more, and it will never be near as big as it used to be until they get some stars back in it (Lebron).

Holding out for Hedo

by T$ 225 on Mar 2, 2010 5:23 PM PST reply actions

yup game is a farce

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Mar 3, 2010 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

what would make it fun

Make the top 2 vote getters pick teams and coaches… No more east vs. west. Do it like on a playground.

You don’t think there won’t be more serious play and guff-talking if someboy’s picked last or skipped over for Kobe’s allstar team.

by boppitywop on Mar 2, 2010 7:17 PM PST reply actions

This has appeal.

Romance me with that Roy rainbow shot which took flight from way beyond the arc and sailed so high that before it came back down to earth sealing the victory, it kissed the rafters and said "You're mine baby."

by Blazer1342 on Mar 3, 2010 6:33 AM PST up reply actions

interesting

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Mar 3, 2010 2:34 PM PST up reply actions

Let's Change It

The ballot should not be released until after the 15th game of the season, and players should be on the ballot exclusively based on their performance For example, put the top 6 players at each position from each conference on the ballot, based on PER (or whatever statistic you want), weighted so that half of the score comes from this season and half the previous season after the all-star game (including playoffs). This assures that the players who are contributing the most (by some definition of “most”) are considered, and the AIs and Tracy McGradys of the league are eliminated. The current approach, where the players are on the ballot based sole;y on marketing hype from prior years of performance, shows disrespect for the game.

by jaywalker on Mar 2, 2010 8:15 PM PST reply actions

I say don't release the ballot until January

then the players having actual good seasons might get more votes…this voting in November stuff skews against hot players chances…

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Mar 3, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

have winning team

get HCA in the playoffs during the finals….mlb does this right?

I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.

"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden

by Philthyanimal on Mar 2, 2010 9:48 PM PST reply actions

It only works in baseball because it used to be arbitrary who had home field advantage

In the NBA, you would be taking home court away from the team with the best record and that just wouldn’t be right.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Mar 2, 2010 11:01 PM PST up reply actions

One game shouldn’t decide what teams have worked all year to achieve.

by Blazer1342 on Mar 3, 2010 6:36 AM PST up reply actions

Its an exhibition game

There should not be anything riding on it. Team with the best record actually earns HCA. MLB does lots of things, many of them are strange and unfortunate. If we follow that logic we’ll soon have a “Designated Free Throw Shooter” in the Eastern conference who can come in and shoot free throws for your worst FT shooter. Western Conference will continue to require everyone shoots their own.

I think the way to fix it is have the coaches pick the top 10 players (4 G, 4 F, 2 C) then once those have been announced in say January the fans get to decide on the other two, and those two get to start.

I also like the pick em idea, that’s kinda fun. Maybe the top two vote getters each year are team captains and they get to pick who’s on their teams based on the players the coaches (and other players) have voted in.

Wanna make it meaningful? Couple ways we can do that.

1. Losers must wear a headband for the remainder of the season that says “Loser” on it
2. Losers wash the winner’s cars
3. Winners each get 100,000 donation to the charity of their choice (or even that’s what the winners get paid); losers get nothing
4. Losers have to sing “I’m a little tea pot” on national TV
5. Losers have to run suicides after the game http://www.degerstrom.com/basketball/drills/conditioning/suicide-really-hard/

I’m sure others can come up with more fun and creative ways to make it more meaningful w/o actually putting something of real value (HCA) on it.

by BanDenjamin on Mar 3, 2010 9:32 PM PST up reply actions

The biggest problem

Is they’re always playing against the Washington Generals and throwing confetti on the audience…
.
.
.
…oh…wait…

never mind.

"My shoulder is OK. And away we go." -- Nic Batum
"wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow" -- Dave

by DonkeyShins on Mar 3, 2010 10:18 AM PST reply actions

Same thing that happened to all major sports: the focus morphed from competition to making as much money as possible

Then again a large majority of America loves moneymaking circuses, so for them there’s nothing at all wrong with it.

by Theghostofsomeonefamous on Mar 3, 2010 2:04 PM PST reply actions

It's a popularity contest...

and that’s why I voted yes for AI as a starter. My actual ballot had Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace. You can’t say AI didn’t deserve it because he was the most popular at his position. Therefore he deserves it. The All-NBA team is the true measure of a player’s career achievement. The All-Star game is who is the most popular and/or who is having the best 1st half of the season.

There isn’t unlimited voting. It’s one vote per day, per computer.

The only thing I would change is the overseas voting. I am singling out China because they have skewed the ballot ever since they could vote. They need to shorten the voting time for overseas voting.

The marketing is fantastic, but a Communist country with a billion people should not weigh so heavily on a game played in USA with only 2 Chinese players.

Prediction: Omri Casspi will be voted a starter next year.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Mar 3, 2010 3:04 PM PST reply actions