NBA All-Star fiasco

I've come to the conclusion that the fans of the NBA really have no business determinining the starting lineups of the mid-season All-Star game. I know the game is meant for the fans. I also know that it's supposed to be a showcase of the league's allegedly most talented superstars, but this is getting a bit ridiculous. It's a popularity contest, pure and simple. Whichever players have had the best endorsement deals inevitably get the nod. How else can anyone explain the fact that not a single member of the Detroit Pistons has managed to break the starting lineup? They're far and away the best team in the NBA and have the record to prove it. They've manhandled the defending champions twice this season and are leading the Eastern Conference by a staggering 11 games! But no, none of these players are All-Star calibre, at least in the eyes of the fans.

On the surface, the starting lineup for the East is solid across the board. But do they really deserve to be there? For the record, here's the list of starters for this year's tilt in Houston:

Allen Iverson (G)
Dwyane Wade (G)
Jermaine O'Neal (F)
LeBron James (F)
Shaquille O'Neal (C)

At the guard spot, it's pretty tough to dispute Iverson. He's leading the East in scoring and, had it not been for some superhuman performances by Employee number 8, he'd be well on his way to another scoring title. He's also averaging close to a career high for Assists (he's ranked #7 in the league in that category, by the way), so he's also distributing the ball well. Being #6 in Steals is nothing to scoff at, either. It may have taken him close to a decade, but I think Iverson is finally the guard he was meant to be.

Wade has been playing pretty well this season, too. He's in the top 5 in Scoring and Steals, but turns the ball over too many times. That tells me that he's handling the ball too much for a shooting guard. They have more than enough firepower on that team that he doesn't need to always ave the ball in his hands for them to win--even with out the Big Diesel in the lineup. But if you're looking for Flash (pun intended) and highlight reel action, then I guess I'll have to begrudingly admit he makes the cut for the All--Star team, as well.

LeBron is a monster. I could try and pick apart his game, but when you look at the improvements he's made each year, it's pretty easy to see that he's worth the hype. Time will tell if he'll develop into the best player in the league, but for now, he's certainly worth the price of admission.

The last two spots-- the two O'Neals-- that's where the problem is. Neither one has played enough games to qualify for any of the major offensive or defensive categories. The All-Star game should recognize the players who are playing their best this year as opposed to recognizing untapped potential (in the case of Jermaine) or past glory (in the case of Shaq). Heck, the so-called "most dominant force in basketball" has been hitting career lows in almost every relevant category. Move over, big guy. You just don't have it anymore. At least not at an All-Star level.

So given the fact that none of the Pistons are shattering record books statistically, how can I justify placing any of them in the starting lineup? Well, the easiest to make a case for is the 2 time-defensive player of the year. He's an undersized center who busts his tail night in and night out. He's a monster on the boards and seems to come out of nowhere to block or alter shots. He's also one of the few players that can guard Shaq-daddy one-on-one. He's the cornerstone of the franchise. The Bad Boys from Motown feed off his energy on the floor and bring their own games to another level. You would, too. I know I wouldn't want this guy pissed at me! He's pretty much a lock for a reserve spot, but it's a crime that he isn't a starter. He may not put up the offensive numbers that the other guys do, but if you've seen some of the jams he's put down over the season, you know he's a highlight reel waiting to happen, just as much as the starters.

The next one on the depth chart is Rasheed. Sure, his numbers have dropped a bit since he was playing in Portland, but that's more an indication of his maturity moreso than lack of ability. The Pistons are the most unselfish team in the NBA. They know they're not destined for Hall of Fame careers, individually, but as a team they can't be matched-- at least so far this year. 'Sheed put the ego aside, but managed to maintain the passion. When you need a big bucket or a big stop, I'd rather have him on my side than on the other guy's. There is no doubt in my mind that he's a much better player than Jermaine O'Neal. He was vital to the Pistons championship run a couple of years back and he's still a go-to guy. He deserved the nod over Jermaine, no question.

Chauncey Billups is getting robbed this year. He's averaging career highs in both Points Per Game and Assists. He's quietly leading the most dominant team in the NBA to heck of a year. His Assists per game are up a full 3 points and his scoring is up by 2.5. Earthshattering numbers? Hardly. But they're representative of a guy who knows how to play the game. And in crunch time, he's proven himself to be an elite player. Just ask the Lakers about it. Give the man his props. He's earned it!

While I'm at it, I'll say a few words about Richard Hamilton. Rip is having another solid season. He's not doing anything spectacular, but when playoff time rolls around, he'll make people pay. The man is in perpetual motion from the opening tip and there's no one in the league that can keep up with him. He's a smothering defender and master of the midrange jumper coming off a curl. He deserves the All-Star nod, but I think he'd be just as happy showcasing his talent to the world in another trip to the Finals.

The bottomline is that, once again, the Pistons are being overlooked and disrespected. I don't know what else they have to do to change people's minds. Maybe another run to the title will be enough to show the fans worldwide what the folks in Detroit already know: this team is for real.