Basketball Free For All

Unfortunately the best all-star game in sports is suffering from a growing case of stupidity.  This year, Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson are still on pace to start at guard in the upcoming mid-season classic in Dallas.  Thankfully, the fans only get to choose just 10 players, but it’s become apparent that this might even be too much responsibility unless the selection process is changed.  If you’re an avid fan, this just has to get your blood boiling a bit.  Question is, what should be done?

We’ve all heard the argument that the All-Star game is for the fans so whomever they choose to start should be allowed.  In the past, this has always been acceptable as the results haven’t been too skewed.  However, with each passing year, it has become obvious this has become more of a popularity contest.  Last season the unthinkable almost happened.  Yi Jianlian finished 3rd among Eastern Conference forwards despite putting up 10.5 points (on 40.3 FG%), 1.0 3ptm, 6.2 rebounds and .5 steals/.6 blocks.  Say what?

Naturally there are many who think the game is just for fun so it doesn’t matter who gets in.

Don Nelson, who coached the West All-Star team in 1992, takes a different view of McGrady’s situation. The Golden State coach said the league should respect the fans’ right to vote by not questioning the final results.

“If you’re going to have fan voting, then you gotta accept that they might vote in a guy that hasn’t played,” Nelson said. “They may vote for a guy just because he has a big name. It’s just kind of the way it is, and you gotta live with it.”

Source:  OregonLive.com

I guess it boils down to how you view the All-Star game.  Historically, being selected was considered a proud achievement as players were honored for being the most developed and well-regarded in the league.  Just take a glance at the rosters of prior games.  I can’t seem to find any duds.

Being an avid supporter of tradition, I don’t see any reason why this definition of an All-Star should be changed now.  It’s NOT a My Fave Five game.  Consequently what steps can be done to prevent an embarrassment from happening?  Here is the short list I’ve come up with:

1)  Eliminate fan voting

It doesn’t appear too difficult to discount this one.  Next to All-Stars always being worthy players, it can be argued the other mainstay is fan voting.  Since 1951, fans have always been allowed to vote for players.  There is simply no way the NBA would take a step that would be akin to cutting off their own feet.  Fan involvement undoubtedly helps promote the game ensuring it’s survival even in difficult economic conditions.

2)  Eliminate Internet voting

It would appear that a number of irregularities have cropped up since allowing the rest of the world to have a say.  It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that entire cultures have decided to vote for their own.  Without a doubt the most polarizing figure in the game is Yao Ming.  Thanks to him, the Rockets team and individual players get an inordinate amount of attention.  Just look the latest Western Conference ballot results:  Aaron Brooks (5th among guards), Trevor Ariza (6th among forwards) and Luis Scola (7th among forwards).  In addition, I have no doubt in my mind that Yi will push (probably make) next year’s All-Star game.

However, I don’t think the best move is to suddenly alienate any regions outside of the United States.  If we truly want to globalize basketball, discrimination isn’t the way to go (I’m sure David Stern would agree as it would likely hinder the amount of revenue generated by the NBA).

Eventually, you have to believe the more familiar other cultures become with the NBA, the more likely people will vote based on performance.  It appears even a significant portion of Chinese questioned Yi almost making it last year:

China’s 350 million basketball fans have become an important group for the NBA, so it is not surprising that Yi, a Chinese national, rank thirds in the voting. They believe the votes cast by Chinese fans should carry equal weight with those cast by American or German fans, and they have called on others to be self-confident in participating in the vote.

But others argue that Yi’s skills are not good enough for him to become a starter in the All-Star game. They say some fans have voted for him repeatedly or even resorted to manipulating computer software in an attempt to give him enough votes to be included on the All-Star game’s roster.

Those that believe Yi’s skills as a basketball player are below par say the level of All-Star game is lowered by such tactics, which constitute cheating. They also note that forcing the NBA’s global fans to accept the voting results of Chinese fans is not good for the future development of Yi, whom they believe is not qualified to take part in the All-Star game at present.

Source:  China Daily

3)  Impose Certain Criteria

Another possible method to attempt to regulate All-Star selection would be placing certain restrictions.  There are countless ones that come to mind.  Perhaps the NBA places fewer names on the ballot and does away with write-ins.  How about having fan votes be worth less and be combined with expert/player/coach voting (something similar to the NFL’s Pro Bowl)?  Or maybe set up some simple criteria that have been advocated by players like Brandon Roy?

“Maybe they should do it where you have to play a certain amount of games to start,” said Roy, who was ninth in the voting for guards. “If you play in a certain amount of games, then you get to start or play before they announce the team.”

Source:  OregonLive.com

This could conceivably work but it would still be subject to scrutiny, not to mention the added requirement of increased resources.  Fans could still upset the notion of fairness under any one of those purported changes.  In addition, in many cases additional criteria would result in more work by the NBA especially since paper ballots are still used.  What would happen when the first ballots are released and then a player misses a number of games?

4)  Players & Coaches Decide Rosters Then Fans Decide Starters

In my opinion, the coaches and players in the Association should select the entire rosters up to a month before the actual game is to be held.  There is no doubt that they would come up with a very deserving roster as peers normally judge quite objectively.  Then allow the fans to vote electronically (whether through the internet or booths at arenas) starting a month before the actual game.  If deemed necessary, allow the fans to also have 1 additional write-in vote for an extra bench slot.  This would satisfy their need to select that one player they want to see participate, whether for cultural or nostalgic reasons.

There are a multitude of benefits by adopting such a selection process.  First, it allows the NBA to set up the fairest system in maintaining a tradition of great NBA players in the All Star game where fans still play an important role.  Second, it would move the NBA towards the 21st century whereby eliminating the use of paper ballots.  Lastly, it would lead a better promotion of the game by giving the most deserving players the credit.  For instance, small market teams would benefit by reducing the emphasis on obscurity.  Also, the NBA would be less likely to suffer the retirements of certain generations.  In most people’s minds, the NBA has dipped when greats like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan retired without having someone immediately step into their big shoes.  By adopting this proposed system, NBA transitions would probably go much more smoothly.

While I’m not that incensed about either Tmac or AI (as compared to a near Yi debacle), there is a window open where one day a completely undeserving player who was never great at any time may be announced among the league’s best.  Please, if you have a minute to spare, go over to NBA.com and make the right choice.  Paper balloting will continue through Jan. 10, while wireless balloting and voting on NBA.com will conclude Jan. 18.