The NBA recently announced the full roster for the 59th NBA All Star Game on February 14, 2010. Fans were given full control of selecting the ten starters via online voting and text messaging. This usually leads to some error, but they were 90% correct. Among those chosen were early MVP candidates Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Carmelo Anthony. Among those chosen who are not MVP candidates, or sixth man candidates, or any other award candidate: Allen Iverson.
Iverson was selected to his 11th All Star appearance, and furthermore was selected to start the game. This is the same Iverson that caused problems when he was signed to the Grizzlies earlier this season, and even retired. He essentially begged for a team to pick him, and finally was signed by his old team, the 76ers, for a minimum deal. Iverson has stepped his game up since he's come back, averaging 14.4 points and 4.2 assists a game. These are solid stats, but not good enough to make the all star team when there are plenty of great guards. Rookie sensation Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks has been averaging 17.7 PPG and 6.2 APG, while Mo Williams, point guard of the first place Cleveland Cavs, has 16.9 PPG and 5.1 APG.
The fans selecting Iverson was a good gesture. He is a Hall of Fame player, and has been a major part of the NBA since he came out of Georgetown. But guys who have played their hearts out and are the best should be rewarded. There's no guarantee that Mo Williams and Brandon Jennings will be great next year. Nor is there any promise that they will even be in the pros. An injury could change an athlete's life in a second. Give the guys who deserve their opportunity. AI has competed in the All Star game 11 times already. That's 4 more years than both Williams and Jennings have been in the NBA.
But this year's all star teams are filled with plenty of new faces. Seven out of the twenty-four guys will be playing in their first all star game, including Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce will also join his Celtics teammate, and Kevin Garnett was selected to start the game. Collectively all these players deserve to be on this year's team. If looking at it from a sympathetic point of view, I understand why fans chose Iverson to start. But realistically, there were other guards that have played better than him this season. Despite the arguments among NBA aficionados, we are all looking forward to All Star Weekend at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas during Valentine's Day Weekend.
2010 All-Stars: Kobe, Lebron, and… Iverson?
Published: Thursday, February 4, 2010
Updated: Thursday, February 4, 2010 02:02


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