NBA All Star Voting is a Joke



The NBA All Star selection process has made a mockery of the game. When Allen Iverson and Tracy Mcgrady are slotted to start ahead of the likes of Rajon Rondo, the whole game is a joke. Can we stop with the fan voting already? The truth is sports fans are the most biased people in the world. Asking them to make a rational decision for selecting an NBA All Star is like asking a Celtics fan if they like Larry Bird or Magic Johnson more.

It's a popularity contest, which would be all and good if this game was just for fun. However, the fact is All Star appearances are very important to player’s careers and it is a great honor to be selected for one. Sure, the game itself is for fun, but being selected for the game is something players dream about from the moment they pick up a basketball. Do we really want to put that decision in the hands of inherently biased sports fans?

I'd liken this to selecting a president because he's an average guy you could have a beer with. Why the hell would you want a president who you could have a beer with or who is an "Average Joe?." I want someone who is smarter than me, rational, and an expert at what he does. I'll go out for beers with my friend Jim from town. It's similar to putting all star voting in the hands of a 13 year old who votes because he saw a guy on a Sprite commercial. Any person who actually watches basketball would know putting Iverson over Rondo is complete insanity.
Speaking of Rondo, for all those non-Celtics fans who think I'm being biased, here's the truth. If anything, Rondo might be the only legit all star on the Celtics. He's unquestionably there best player, and the contract we gave him was a steal. As much as I love Garnett, and he is my favorite player in the NBA since Larry Bird, there's no way he should be starting the All Star game. Pierce has had a very efficient year, but has been out a lot and can't bring it every night anymore. Perk has had his best year and is probably the second player I'd choose to be on the All Star roster. Rondo needs to be on this team and I'm confident the coaches will vote him in. For anyone who hasn't seen him play this year, it is an absolute treat to watch this guy play the game of basketball.

To conclude, you really should have to pass a test to be able to vote in the All star game. I love the NBA, but I'm going to find it hard to watch the All Star game if Rondo or Perk is not in it. Iverson and Mcgrady should decline their selections if indeed they are put in as starters( they won't though). While it's true that fan involvement is crucial to the success of any league, I think it's been shown that many simply are not qualified to vote.