2009 NBA All-Star Game is Just a Popularity Contest

The NBA All Star Game gives us, the fans, the chance to see the greatest players in the NBA showcase their talent on the same court, at the same time. We have the opportunity to vote for who we believe is the most deserving of those coveted starting spots, and who we really would like to see shine that night. But are those votes really going to who deserves them, or to who the fans just simply like more? The voting process has turned into a popularity contest, giving starting spots to players who don't actually deserve them, and this really took precedence during the 2009 All Star Voting. Here is a list of the starters that were voted in by the fans this year, and their stats as of January 24, 2009:

West

Chris Paul - 21.2 PPG, 11 ASP (league leader), 2.68 STPG (league leader)

Kobe Bryant - 26.4 PPG (3^rd in league)

Amare Stoudemire - 21.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG

Tim Duncan - 20.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.88 BLKPG

Yao Ming - 19.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.65 BLKPG

East

Dwayne Wade - 28.8 PPG (league leader), 7.3 APG, 2.27 STPG (2^nd in league)

Allen Iverson - 17.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 1.57 STPG

Lebron James - 27.9 PPG (2^nd in league), 6.8 APG, 7.2 RPG, 2.05 STPG

Kevin Garnett - 16.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG

Dwight Howard - 19.9 PPG, 14.0 RPG (league leader), 3.2 BLKPG (league leader)

After pondering this list, it is evident that it is filled with league leaders, players averaging almost double doubles, and players who are the heart of their team. However, one player sticks out from all the rest due to his production levels, and really shouldn't have been voted as an All Star starter. That player is Allen Iverson. Yes, Allen Iverson is a phenomenal basketball player and is amongst the best in the league, but statistically, he shouldn't be a starter. He is averaging virtually 10 points less than his career average, and barely cracking the five assist mark, which when compared to other point guards, is quite low. Due to his popularity, he still got the spot, even though there are players out there who are definitely more deserving of it. Take for example, Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers. He is averaging just over 26 points per game, ranking him fourth in the league, and just over 5 rebounds per game. Don't get me wrong, but that's production, and those are the numbers that an All Star starter should have, not 17 points per game. I am not against the fact that Allen Iverson was named an All Star, but a starter? No way. The fans should vote the players in who are performing and deserve it, not the ones who they like the most.

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