What’s Wrong with the NBA All-Star Concept

I’ve been reading Bill Simmons’ Book of Basketball in recent days, and he’s been rambling against the NBA All-Star Teams and the way they are picked. It’s become similar to the regular season MVP selection – a popularity concept. Simmons is stretching a lot of things in his book to make them sound funny or to keep your attention through a 700-page behemoth. Among other things he is recommending that NBA selects two best players, one from the East another from the West, and that they pick the teams for themselves to compete in the All-Star Game.

His book is full of bizarre statements, but I haven’t read anything more bizarre than this Associated Press news item in a long time:

Here are two excerpts from the story:

Kobe Bryant is the leading vote-getter for the NBA All-Star game and Tracy McGrady is on track to start beside him in the Western Conference backcourt despite not playing yet this season.

McGrady likely is benefiting from his popularity in China as Yao Ming’s longtime teammate in Houston.

Let me repeat it aloud: …DESPITE NOT PLAYING YET THIS SEASON!

NBA is in serious need of fixing its All-Star Weekend. I am not sure who’s been watching that Globetrotter-like exhibition on TV in recent years, when you can see the real thing for 25 bucks from the best seats in the house – and be more entertained.

What’s almost insulting is that Houston is playing way above their talent level without their two starting stars (McGrady and Ming). For that heroism, the (Chinese) fans reward McGrady? The only other Rocket who received somewhat decent number of votes is Aron Brooks. Don’t know about you, but I have no intention of wasting my time and watching McGrady play come February even if he recovers by then. If it wasn’t for the game played in front of the 100K crowd at the Cowboys’ new stadium, there wouldn’t be anything to look forward to.