As Usual, They Got It Wrong Again

Every single year, in every sport, there's a player or two that is some how, some way, left off an All-Star game roster.  Now, I know that a lot of players say they don't care.  A lot of fans say (and they're right, largely) that it doesn't matter, who cares?

Well even if we're operating under the assumption that no one cares, and it doesn't mean that much, there's just certain levels of stupidity that even I can't tolerate. 

You could make honest cases for Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Terry, Paul Millsap, Rajon Rondo and others.  

But, let's be fair here, just as easily you could also make solid cases against each of them.

Allen only is scoring 18 ppg, and two other Celtics made the team.  Carter is having a great season, but how many Nets can you take when they're playing as poorly as they are?  Melo's missed about a month, and even so, his numbers aren't staggering by any stretch.  Terry's a 6th man that's putting up a great scoring season, but others on the team have better overall numbers.  Paul Millsap is having a solid season, no doubt, but, there's better players at his position that didn't make it.  Finally, Rondo's has truly had an up-and-down season and though most of it has been up, he just isn't playing better than the other points on the roster.

The issue I have is the blatant one, the biggest one, literally.  One Shaquille O'Neal, being selected as a reserve.  Forget the fact that The Big Cactus or The Big Aristotle or The Big Bad Contract Situation or whatever he calls himself nowadays doesn't even always play on back to back nights.  Forget the fact that he's only averaging 18 points a contest.  Forget basically everything about him.  The issue isn't him, so much as whose spot he is taking.

Why, under God's green earth, Al Jefferson wasn't selected is so far beyond my normal, human, non-NBA-insider's mind that I struggle to even finish this post because my brain hurts so much.

Consider that Jefferson is only one of three humans in the NBA that average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a game.  Consider further that of these three (the other two are in the game, by the way--Duncan and Howard), he is averaging the most points per game, by three.  Consider even further that some how last year, despite averages over over 20 and 10 at the break, he also wasn't selected.  

The only possible explanation I can think of is that his inclusion in the game would be representing the worst team out of any of the other selected players.  Still, the Wolves are 7-3 in their last ten, and frankly, aren't very good.  Not all Jefferson's fault.  

How this has happened twice now, is simply astonishing.  Jefferson, at only slightly above 2 mil a year could be the biggest bargain in sports right now, but he won't be an All-Star.  

Why?

 

I have no clue.

When Did Campaigning Become A Part Of The All-Star Game?

LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Danny Granger, Al Jefferson, Devin Harris...

The list goes on.

These are just some of the players that have campaigns out there (either involving them or on their behalf by the organization) to try to get out the vote and get them into the NBA All-Star game.

When did this start? Don't these coaches and organizations have enough to worry about (uh, Indiana and Minnesota, I'm talking to you...) in the already arduous task of winning games? Isn't putting out a competitive product, and trying to defeat your opponent with a sound game plan enough? I guess not.

Though, despite my cynicism, some of these campaigns have been pretty good. For those of you not too familiar, here's a look at some of the more fun ones...

Chris Bosh, last year...

Again, I know they only play once a night, but, where are they finding the time to not only come up with these ideas, but film them as well? Jeez...

Al Jefferson, this year...The T-Wolves have sent out Al Jefferson-themed GPS systems to Western Conference coaches.  Included in the packages are highlight videos, road maps, and the fact that Big Al is one of only 3 humans averaging 20-10, and has the highest ppg of the trio (Duncan and Howard rounding it out).

Devin Harris...this year.  Politically-aware, humorous...and it has a Yi cameo (we can only pray he has a speaking role next time...)

How adorable is he?

Amar'e Stoudamire...this year.  Needs to brush up on his acting skills...The Shaq part though, priceless.

And lastly, the New Jersey Nets, again...Mostly ehh, but the Ryan Anderson blip, only white guy in there, is to die for.

Quickly...of these cats, who should make it?  Granger, Harris and Jefferson.  Numbers don't lie, Mr. Aldridge, 17 and 7 just ain't good enough.

Top Ten Reasons to Hate the Boston Celtics

When you're team is winning, a lot, it's hard to figure why the rest of the country tends to hold your team, your fans, in a general regard of disdain. And, there is obviously truth to that sentiment. As a Yankee fan, my long held credo is, if this was your team, you wouldn't hate them. However, the Celtics aren't my team, so, after a loss to the Knicks last night, here are your top 10 reasons to absolutely hate the Boston Celtics.

10. Umm, they lost to the Knicks? Come on, no one should lose to the Knicks, if they're trying. Losing to the Knicks vindicates the principle that they're even a basketball team, something I try on a twice-daily basis to avoid admitting.

9. They are crybabies. Not in the figurative, cry for fouls sense. No, in the literal sense. Glen Davis has thrown a tantrum, Paul Pierce bawled like a baby earlier this year too.

8. They play in Boston. As if the accent that turns a lovely cereal into the awful "Smahht Stahhht" isn't enough, the fact that they've had championships in professional baseball and football multiple times in the past few years should be enough to anger the rest of the world not getting that 'ship love.

7. The idea that Doc Rivers is a "good coach". Really? This is the same guy that was 39 games under .500 prior to last season. This is the same guy that did win a Coach of the Year, but, is nothing better than the players put in front of him.

6. The idea that somehow they're a next generation of Bird's and McHale's. This team was created, not built. Jeff Green for Ray Allen. A cast of nobodies and Al Jefferson for Kevin Garnett. One summer of work, one championship. Not to take away from what they accomplished, but let's cool it with this next-gen Celtics crap.

5. Simply, they win, a lot. Too much, if you ask me. 95 out of the last 117 times they've gone on the floor, they've won. That has to turn someone's stomach other than mine, no?

4. They actually are good. Despite not having much in the way of a real bench, and having Eddie "Eight Teams in Nine Years" House on the team, they still are really, really good. Great, even. They play great defense, they rebound, they can shoot. They even share the ball, and their superstars have checked their egos. Ugh! It's like a cheesy after-school special, enough to make you want to throw up. It just bothers you that the team you'd love to hate, on the floor, is actually dominant.

3. Ray Allen was disrespectful to Denzel Washington. I don't care if Denzel killed my mom, if enough time had passed, I'd still let him beat me in basketball. Hell, I was even rooting for him at the end of Training Day. There are just some things you don't do, and disrespecting Denzel is one of them.

2. Paul Pierce's ridiculous "sprained knee" episode in last year's finals. For that sort of acting job, people normally win Oscars. He was carried off the court, crying, like he'd been shot through the chest. Sure enough, the next game he played nearly 42 minutes. Not doubting the initial pain, but, there should be a league rule that if you carry on like that, you have to miss at least a week.

1. Kevin Garnett plays for them. Now, I could try to say it better myself, but, I'll simply let this video do the talking. It's a bit long (4 minutes, gasp!), but, if you've read this far, you likely have a few more minutes to spare. If you've ever said a bad word about KG, be prepared to be vindicated.