I wouldn’t say it’s embarrassing, but considering how stacked in talent the West is this year it wouldn’t be good press for Lin if he takes the spot over another player. It will just reinforce the sentiment that Lin is only popular because of his ethnicity.
I think it has to do with the format change that came last year. He used to dominate the voting because he was by far the most popular Center in his conference as well as the most talented back then. He still is probably the most popular center in the league, but now you don't vote on a starting center anymore, you vote on frontcourt. So now there are people who would easily vote for him if it was Western centers only, they can now choose to vote for Durant, Love, Aldridge, or Griffin instead of him as well.
Harden and Howard will at least be selected as reserves. If Blake doesn't get voted in as a starter, that would be sad. No disrespect to Dwight or Durant, but I want to see Blake go all dunk-contest on the ASG.
They need to change the All-Star selection. I know the league wants to get fans involved but Kobe and Lin have no business being in the top 4. Why can't we just do it similar to voting for a president, where the votes really don't count.
The actual replacement is picked by the commish, and the coach picks who starts. This was explained in the previous thread, kinda odd people keep thinking Lin will start being #4 in votes.
Kobe Bryant requests that fans not vote for him for All-Star team http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/kobe-bryant-asks-that-fans-not-vote-for-him-for-all-star-team-010514 I wonder what the fans are thinking when they read this....."Awwww he's so humble, lets vote for him!!!!"
I only say that for him. To be voted into something you know you don't deserve won't feel good. He'll get there someday.
I feel bad for a Al Horford, the guy is putting up career numbers on the only other team in the East (that isn't Indy or Miami) with a winning record and the guy can't even crack the top ten. I generally go by the Van Gundy rule: if your team doesn't have a winning record you should not be on an all star team. That left me with pretty slim pickings in the East.
It seems the majority of individuals upset with regard to fan voting is they assume the ASG is based on merit. If those individuals would simply come to terms with the fact that the ASG is for the fans to watch their favorite players all in one game, a lot of the outrage would quickly dissipate. There would no longer be this fictional "embarrassment" for playing in a game based on popularity. Perhaps the NBA could have an All-Pro game after the season ends. Consequently, there would be the ASG for fan favorites in the middle of the season then a second game during the summer honoring the All-Pro teams, which would be based on actual merit. Plus it would also take playoff performance into consideration. Can you imagine watching first team v. second team all NBA? That would be amazing. What if second team won? I just think it's important we remember what the ASG is suppose to represent - popularity not merit.
Hate the All-Star game. What a waste of time. I would prefer that none of our players participate so they could just get some rest.
Inb4 - race is not a factor - Lin is playing like an all star - Most Lin fans are Rockets fans - Harden is not playing as well as Ellis - Tyson Chandler
This Lin hate is getting out of hand. His fans haven't even said anything ridiculous yet and some people are already on the kids back. And the last player to get voted into the all star game despite not being a starter was Kobe.
You're just assuming that it would be because of his ethnicity. There's no way to know exactly who voted for him.
