The rosters for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game were announced on Thursday, and as expected a mix of shock and stoicism rippled through the players and fans alike as the selections were announced.
For the East Team, John Wall and Kyle Lowry will be at the guard positions, with Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Pau Gasol in the frontcourt.
For the West, Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant have been selected at one and two, while Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol and Anthony Davis will be manning the forward and centre spots.
Nobody can disagree with the selection of Steph Curry – the Warriors have been lighting it up all season, and a big reason is due to the play of their point guard. Kobe is where fans have the hang-up; having just been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder, he is expected to be out for the season.
Despite these setbacks, he currently holds the record for most consecutive NBA All-Star selections at 16, being selected from 2000 all the way through until 2015.
Nobody is denying that Kobe is one of the most competitive players in the NBA. His willingness to play through adversity is unmatched. But the fact that he has been selected as an All-Star for the second straight year when he won’t even be able to play is unfair on the other great players in the NBA.
What about James Harden, who is the best shooting guard in the league right now? Or Klay Thompson, who put up a record-breaking 37 points in a single quarter on Friday night? What about the other great guards like Chris Paul, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook? Kobe got in on his name, and not his play, for a second year.
Davis, Gasol and Griffin are all worthy in most people’s eyes. Yes, there were some big exclusions in the West, most notably that of Kevin Durant. Big time players such as Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard and Dirk Nowitzki all missed out too.
Moving onto the East, Lowry’s play, combined with the Raptors 28-15 record, has earned the Philadelphia native his first All-Star selection. Wall continues to prove why he’s one of the most electrifying point guards in the league, helping the Wizards to a 29-14 record, second in the Eastern Conference, one spot ahead of Toronto.
At first glance, one would be forgiven for being slightly outraged at the East frontcourt, before realising that they’re probably the best three forwards in the East. No doubt that Pau is deserving, enjoying a renaissance in Chicago and locking down the paint with Joakim Noah (who finished eighth in Eastern frontcourt voting).
The issue many fans have is with the selection of LeBron and Carmelo, who both appeared to have gotten in on their name rather than their play, much like Kobe. There is no question that LeBron is one of the best players in the league, and one of the most popular – not only was he second in total votes to Steph Curry, who garnered over 1.5 million, but he beat out Kevin Durant, the reigning MVP.
However, it still stands that the Cavaliers are 24-20, and only with a recent five-game winning streak (that coincided with LeBron’s return to the floor) have they managed to go over .500. Is that winning streak proof of LeBron’s talent? Sure, but the Cavs have still under-performed, and LeBron has not played at an All-Star level.
Melo’s selection is even more ludicrous, and that’s coming from a Knicks fan. Much like LeBron, Carmelo has sat out a number of games due to niggling injuries. For someone to be playing at an All-Star level, they have to energise their team to success – I don’t think an NBA worst 8-37 record is worthy of an All-Star selection.
With every year that rolls around, there will be always be players who fans feel warrant an All-Star selection. There will be players, like Kobe, LeBron and Carmelo, who despite their play on the court will always be selected due to their persona and popularity off the court. For now, we will sit back, relax and enjoy the 64th instalment of the NBA All-Star Game in New York City.
We can only hope the fans get it right next year.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
He's been great since he came back, but he's played nowhere near the level we're used to seeing. Before he sat out, he looked like he didn't even want to be there. He looked like he couldn't even be bothered playing for the Cavaliers. We'll see if this rest re-energises him, although I suspect there's something deeper going on. Atlanta isn't getting enough recognition this season. Best team in the East, and not just because they have the best record. People talk about GSW (rightfully so), but forget that Atlanta is playing at the same high level.
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
Lebron didn't make it cause he is Lebron he made it cause he is still the best player in the NBA. I'm surprised at the level of criticism he has copped this season. Has he been that bad? Sure it might not be the 'Miami MVP Level' but he is still pretty damn good. I can agree he looked off before he sat out 2 weeks. Go have a look at what he has done since he has returned though. Cleveland are now rolling. As for someone like Noah being ahead. Yeah...Noah has been pretty bad this season. They need to find room for the starting 5 of Atlanta though. Brilliant.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
There Is also the huge overseas vote from China. Who love Kobe.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
You are always so obsessed with stats. I remember an NFL article about Peyton Manning and you barraged me with another statistical rant much like you did here. You can have all the stats you want, but you would know that LeBron has not played to an All-Star level if you actually bothered to watch the game as opposed to reading the box score and googling stats all day long. I can tell, much like other times where you've simply replied to my articles and/or comments in order to disagree with them entirely, that there is no changing your mind. You're clearly very set in your ways, and refuse to see anybody else's point of view.
mushi
Roar Guru
Also as to "keep commenting on my articles" I think I’ve only ever commented on one of your articles and this one I clicked from the side bar
mushi
Roar Guru
I’m curious as to how you couldn’t see any real critical commentary or insight as I only had 2 paragraphs and yet there were 5 points to why I disagreed with your “analysis” that I’m assuming they are “insights” as you don’t reference any real individual production measure in your assessment: - The basis for your argument is the same as the thought process you are attacking as it seems as if you are handicapping James based on past performance (others are giving players a leg up) - He is top among eastern front court players in PER - He is top among eastern front court players in VORP - He is top among eastern front court players in box +/- - His record is 24-12 which isn’t good enough for the #1 seed but in line with the Wiz In addition to that his real +/- (so adjusted) is also the highest amongst eastern front court players. So it isn’t like it’s just one advanced metric that’s saying hey this guy’s played better than all the other guys. Some other overall critical commentary I never said that James should get it because he was MVP, I’m basing my view entirely on production on the court this season. My opinion was that you are handicapping him because he isn’t playing to an MVP level Also you are giving Noah a pass for his first below league average PER in his career (he’s been a off on offence) because he’s a former DPOY – Isn’t that anointing him on reputation rather than production. Similar with Gortat, he’s actually down a little this year but as a whole the wizards are better so you are basically saying Gortat should get in there because John Wall needs a friend – I don’t find that deserving. With Horford and Millsap – yes one of them should be in instead of Melo in my opinion, but neither has out played James individually in my view of their role on the team and based on the numbers. Yes the Hawks have been great, but that’s due to an all around quality of play from Teague through to Horford not just because of one of them.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Just because someone was once the MVP, and has been the best player in the league for a long time, does not mean they should get instant All-Star status. Kobe is one of the best of all time, yet he clearly isn't worthy of being an All-Star this season or last. LeBron has not played at a high enough level to be an All-Star this season, therefore I think other, more deserving players should get the nod rather than instantly giving it to LeBron because LeBron. I mentioned in my previous comment players who were more deserving than Melo, and the same applies to LeBron. Joakim Noah, one of the best centers in the league and the reigning DPOY. Marcin Gortat, teaming up with John Wall to help the Wizards dominate the East. How about some of the Atlanta Hawks players, the best team (along with Golden State) in the league - Al Horford and Paul Millsap? I'm curious as to why you keep commenting on my articles, and replying to my comments on other people's articles, solely to disagree with what I have to say and offer no real critical commentary or insight in doing so.
mushi
Roar Guru
You’ve got a critical failure here that is identical to those voting in Kobe in that you are letting historical performance enter into your judging criteria, except you are using it in the opposite way. Because LeBron was once an MVP doesn’t mean a down grade to “one of the league’s best” should eliminate him from all star contention. Where is this list of East front court players that are more deserving he isn’t out ranked by a single eligible replacement in +/-, PER or VORP. His team is also 24-12 when he’s on the court – are they a #1 seed, nope but gee if you only get to go to the all star game if you are a 1 seed that’s a pretty high hurdle.
pat malone
Guest
just like when Yao Ming would get in every year ahead of guys like Shaq
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
I watch NBA everyday. There are so many pointless games played throughout the season but this is the one game I have no interest whatsoever in.
Mickyt
Guest
Should and I mean should be better than the NFl pro bowl. You can lay them down flat with a feather duster. More ferious tackles by 12 year olds. The word intensity is used rather loosely.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Kobe's barely been on the hardwood enough to justify an All-Star selection, and his poor play (including his low FG%) justifies the argument as to why someone like James Harden should've gotten the nod ahead of him. It's ridiculous the Melo is an All-Star. Nobody on the Knicks is playing well right now, and the fact that Melo beat out such players as Marcin Gortat, Jonas Valanciunas, Joakim Noah or Al Horford is ludicrous. LeBron just got in because he's LeBron. He hasn't played the way he was playing in Miami, and Cleveland have suffered for it. Is he still one of the best players in the league? Definitely, but there were more deserving players this year worthy of an All-Star selection.
Rick
Guest
Most of the story makes sense. You could have pointed out that Kobe's fg% is way too low for any all star. Carmelo should definitely not be an all star. I am not a Lebron fan. He is playing well below what we have seen in the past. His numbers are below best player in basketball that he was in Miami. They are still way too good for him not to be an all star