I'm curious where the line should be drawn for selecting the reserve All-Stars and the NBA MVP. I think the only consideration to being an All-Star is having your team record at least at or above .500. I know Jalen Rose is doing well this year, but the question always comes back, "If so-and-so is so good, why isn't their team winning?" And I know there are many ardent fan chanting Kobe's name for MVP. He is truly a magnificent talent, whether you like or not, but I think the required is at least having your team in the playoffs. And the I believe the recommended is at least being in one of the top four teams (in terms of the two best of the east and west). So what do you guys think?
I'd have a hard time with Kobe getting MVP. He isn't even the most valuable player on his team... I don't like the idea of arbitrary rules for these awards. As soon as you lay those things down, someone really deserving will come along and make them look stupid. What if Alonzo came back at the All Star break, and somehow dragged the Heat into the 8th seed for the playoffs? Wouldn't he have to be MVP for that? I know it's unlikely, but strange things happen all the time.
I don't know if there should be a rule where your team has to be over .500 to be considered an All-Star. If that were the case Barkley and Dream would have missed the playoffs at some point. You can't help it if your teammates aren't good or are banged up. Example, if this rule were in place in baseball A-Rod wouldn't have been an All-Star. Or this year, what happens if Washington falls under .500, which they're doing now, then Stackhouse isn't an All-Star. New Orleans is approaching sub .500, and it started when Baron Davis got hurt. They were good when he played, yet he would get penalized because they're under .500. Think about this, Payton is playing some of the best ball of his career, and aside from Francis and Marbury is the best PG in the West, yet would get frozen out of the All-Star game despite doing everything he can to help them win.
That would be bad. Not a good idea. Vince Carter...way under. I think anybody who plays excellent should be in the All Star Game. It should be based on their statistics and popularity...Jalen Rose won't make it anyway.
