18 Comments

1. 

   Well Sarah it is what it is...Iam very disappointed as well. I was hoping for Blake and LA to go. Gasol is having a decent year, but he plays for the Lakers. Dirk is always having a solid year and is one of the best forwards in the nba, so cant be mad about that. The western conference is just "too" loaded in the forward position. I honestly did not thing LA would make the team, but was sure hoping.
   
   Gotta love Texas!!!...big state big population..and they vote!!..Duncan-one of the best pf of all time is only good for 16 ppg and moves pretty slow and his defense is not as it used to be. But hes still playing so hell be in the all star game due to if anything respect for his career. Westbrook was good choice, he can flat out play....Iam not huge Manu Ginobli fan...hes the type of player that Mike calls "crafty" lol...And he is..on selling fouls to the refs, possibly the best I have ever seen turn a offensive foul of himself into a foul on the opposing player!! haha...But nevertheless hes got awesome bball iq and is a solid player.
   Anyways there ya have it..LA is not in the All star game, I am sure he is alittle disappointed himself, but more than happy to go to Texas and spend time with family. Lamarcus will continue to be OUR all star though and thats what counts.

   by whitefeather21380 on 2/3/2011 5:27 PM
2. 

   I do believe the all star game currently is more of a entertainment value than anything else. If it was all about stats, then there are a few players on the rosters that should not be there, but they are due to reasons such as, being on winning teams and or fan voting, coaches respect. How many votes come in that are from "true" basketball fans? whos to say.
   
   Its that one time of the year where the stars of the league get together in one location and put on a show, or atleast try to. And with limited positions on the rosters of each team, some players of great talent will be left out.
   

   by whitefeather21380 on 2/3/2011 5:40 PM
3. 

   LMA > Griffin.
   LMA > Duncan
   LMA > Gasol
   LMA > Ginobli.
   
   I'm a secondary Spurs fan, as in, I root for them every night unless they're facing the Blazers, but cmon? LMA put up 40 against them, while the big 3 of the Spurs dropped 38. No one in the West could do that. He dominated Griffin around 2-3 weeks ago. He's been outperforming Gasol no doubt. Problem is, 3 of those 4 players are being creditted with AS because of their teams records, when they aren't the real reason their team is winning.
   
   With Griffin, his team is NOT winning.
   
   It's all about entertainment, not real basketball. Look at the East as well... KG is having a career low year as well and got in.

   by Herr on 2/3/2011 5:41 PM
4. 

   Griffin IS deserving of the Rookie/Sophomore game. Nothing else.. His dunks aren't even that impressive. The only thing impressive about them, is the frequency in which they occur. Basic dunk.. another basic dunk... and .. you guessed it... another b a s i c dunk.... Take a look at tape of previous dunk competitions... it's quite obvious Griffin is there compliments of Charlie.
   
   13/15... thats the rank of his team... no shot of playoff contention... on a healthy team... yea...WORTHLESS.
   
   The SEASON is about the PLAYOFFS.. if you cant make it.. then you fail. The fact that he/they won't even contend.. is pathetic at best. They have other good players aside from the Griffin, take Baron Davis and Eric Gordon for example...
   
   Don't get me wrong.. He IS an exceptional player. He was given such credit, by being accepted to the Rookie game.. It's too bad soo many people hop bandwagons.. They did it for Obama.. they do it for Chuck and Griffin...You can find those bandwagoners everytime "Ratings" drop... Obama still rulez btw.<
   lol, GO BLAZERS!!!!!

   by Blazermaniak on 2/3/2011 5:57 PM
5. 

   Btw sarahhect.. you are such a glass is half-full person.. I envy you for that!
   
   I just thought I'd bring up another idea.. Since there is already a Rookie/Sophomore Game... that IS in own rights of an All-Star nature.. Is it too far fetched to think that maybe That's all they should be eligible for? And save the All-Star game for the vets? Those who have endured to prove themselves even further?
   
   As far as the "Entertainment" value.. That's all it will be to me now.. I'm looking forward to (In a major,perhaps, even juvenile way!) Watching the East tear up the West!! A team with LeBron, Howard, and Staudemire?! That's one well-endowed team! Lets hope that Howard walks over Griffin and the All-Stars of past( dirk, pau, tim, etc... ) In a way that reminds the NBA.. It's MORE than JUST entertainment.. It's an HONOR... one LMA apparently has not earned
   
   on this^ note.. GO EAST!!

   by Blazermaniak on 2/3/2011 6:08 PM
6. 

   I think the idea of limiting rookies and sophomores to the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge has some merit. It takes time to adjust to the NBA and truly play at the high level it demands.
   
   On the other side of that I think shutting the rooks/sophs out of the game would be a disservice to fans. Especially this year with Blake Griffin. He epitomizes entertainment. And lets face it, the younger guys can move better than some of the vets.
   
   The entertainment vs. stats argument is a sticky one. I usually find that the skilled players are the most entertaining.
   
   In some cases, like the case of Tim Duncan this year, tenure also comes into play. Duncan has had a great career, but is he All-Star worthy THIS season? Does he bring the entertainment factor that the ASG demands? We'll have to wait to see...

   by sarahhecht on 2/3/2011 6:19 PM
7. 

   Duncan is not entertainment worthy; he's boring and reacts to the whistle as a kid who says 'what'd I do?'

   by blazerdarren77 on 2/3/2011 6:29 PM
8. 

   While I do agree the eastern team looks very strong and athletic,more so than the west, I do not believe HONOR is something that describes Lebron James and Staudemire. Talented? yes..extremly...Entertainers? Very much so..But your telling me those 2 guys are gonna show Gasol and Tim honor?? haha...and what the nba is all about?...those guys are nba vets with championship rings, and Duncan while not the player he used to be, will go down as one of the best to play the game.

   by whitefeather21380 on 2/3/2011 9:17 PM
9. 

   this is not an "all-star" game ... it's a popularity contest geared toward making the most money possible. the nba thinks fans want to see stars, but i have to say; i'd like to see the best players of that season. because it is set up this way, i simply will not be watching the game.

   by Kassandra on 2/3/2011 10:13 PM
10. 

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clippers-fyi-20110204,0,7720491.story
    
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    This article above try's to spin negatively on Andre about Griffin's selection.
    
    Lol.. This is kinda cute.. Lets continue to TRY to make something of nothing.. talk about stirring the pot.. This Article attempts to point at Andre for meddling, while it is THIS article doing the meddling.. trying to create hype on a non-issue.
    There was a hard foul.. 2 games ago between Portland and LAC.. This page tried to spin some drama up about the Andre/Griffin hit before their second meeting.. What happened?! nothing.. they played their game.. in which.. once again they lost.. like what.. their 20th game or something?!
    Blake is an amazing Rook.. That's why he was accepted to the Rook/Soph game.. 
    The dunks? His are subpar.. in comparison to the previous competitors.. so Gratz on that.
    
    Love is talented.  Griffin is talented.. yet neither is LEADING their team anywhere.  In a game that is ALL about the playoffs.. They fail.  If you can't make it.. let alone, even contend?..
    
    it's like betting/arguing on Bum fights..
    
    
    Despite Injuries to all other 'Potential' leaders in Portland.. LMA has stepped up, and LED them to playoff contention.  All-Star is an Honorary thing, hence the reason Duncan got it undeserved THIS year.. They did it to honor his past (kinda messed up..)
    
    3 Road wins? Really?!?!... Griffin is some All-Star.. 
    By comparison.. Since all the supporters of Griffin and Love keep saying that just becuz their teams have a losing record.. doesn't mean they aren't All-Stars..
    
    What would somebody like maybe... LeBron do on a subpar team?? Oh... He took them to the playoffs.... THAT's an All-Star
    
    I agree with Kassandra.. on everything.

    by Blazermaniak on 2/3/2011 11:31 PM
11. 

    Popularity contest , Yao being voted the starting center again says it all.
    As far as Stern choosing his replacement, it will be who will make the most $ for the NBA.
    

    by sheedwuzright on 2/4/2011 12:28 PM
12. 

    i am very disappointed that la never made it. i think the all star game should be both but i agree it is about entertainment but not totally...great blog sarah and ty for the perspective

    by oregongal47 view (TG) on 2/4/2011 8:07 PM
13. 

    I have to agree with Kassandra, of course I am a Kassandra fan therefore somewhat bias.
    
    It is nothing more then a popularity contest, somewhat like a beauty contest. It is more of who gets the votes anyway they can get them opposed to being the most beautiful. Although when I look at all those half naked bodies on the stage all I can see is beauty. When I see ten players on the court I see ten great BB players with different idiosyncrasies. One not necessarily better just different.
    
    I think Love was picked because he played on the USA team this summer and that gave him more popularity.
    
    I don't find the All-Star game that entertaining as you say sarahhecht, I find it as a bunch of ostentatious bores showing off their wares. But, admittedly so, I have bad feelings toward show-offs. Again that makes be bias. I am a Blazer fan, a Homer, therefore again I am bias.
    
    I am glad for Love and Griffin, Sad for LMA and the rest that didn't make it only because it was important to them, for me, I will watch the sophomore/freshman game because Wesley Matthews is in it, only to watch Matthews not the rest.
    
    Hg

    by Hg on 2/5/2011 10:41 AM
14. 

    Well Kass, I would say you need to blame the fans not the N.B.A The fans are the boneheads voting in the likes of Yao Ming. I would also say that they used to have the best players of the season. Now not so much but most are still the top of the league.
    I will watch and report for you in your absence.

    by LTG on 2/8/2011 11:23 AM
15. 

    As far as Kevin Love getting in...the guy did have 30 something double doubles in a row. Sure his team is not winning, but hard to ignore that he is playing his arse off and has been doing so for about the whole season. Griffin? have to side with Sarah..he's just silly. No love loss for LMA from me, he just got started too late in the season. I have no doubts he will continue at this level and maybe even start next year...naw..lol not as long as fans are voting the starters..oh well.

    by LTG on 2/8/2011 11:30 AM
16. 

    The All-Star game is about carrying your team flag into what has now become a huge international event. And picking the totally wrong guy for the dunk contest this year (Jennings).

    by Tobyus Sanchezo on 2/12/2011 5:44 AM
17. 

    LTD:
    
    The so called "boneheads voting for Yao Ming were all from China, in which Yao Ming is pretty popular and have many more voters then many and they only have one to vote for.
    
    As far as Kevin Love getting in as Batum said, he cheats, he pads his stats doing garbage time when Minny is behind by 20 or more, by bouncing the ball off the backboard several times and rebounding it several times before he makes his shot. I love a home grown BB Star so am not put out to much by that, but this does give a vote to Kassandra.

    by Hg on 2/12/2011 6:38 AM
18. 

    PS:
    
    On the same token as Kassandra said about popularity that is how Rudy got into the dunk contest last year because of his country, which totally griped the NBA All-Star announcers. One more vote for Kassandra.

    by Hg on 2/12/2011 6:41 AM