2009 All-Star Starters
The NBA released the starters for the All-Star game and it seems like Yi Jianlian is just one good nationally televised game (or a small bump in Nets attendance) from being a starter. Something really needs to be done about this but it probably won't. If a Canadian can be handed three MVP trophies, why can't an Asian dude get to start the All-Star game?
All-Star break also brings out the best from John Hollinger who alternatively promotes and ignores his beloved PER which leads to quotes like: "The best small forward in the conference this season has probably been either Kevin Durant or Andrei Kirilenko, neither of whom has any business being in Phoenix this February." If someone is the best small forward in the conference, how do they have no business being in Phoenix? Not only do you have to be doing something right to be the best at your position in the NBA but centers have been getting in without merit for years (I see you Jamaal Magloire). And while I know I'm a bit biased being a 'Cuse alum but wouldn't you take 'Melo my man over those two? Yes, 'Melo is hurt but that's even better; then you'd have to replace him and would have carte blanche and get away adding a guard like T-Mac or Brandon Roy to the spot.
As for the bench, it seems like our dear Rondo is likely on the outs. Not only did the Iverson trade mean that there was one less guard spot in the East, and the remaining PG spot has to go to Devin Harris. Even without Iverson though, Rondo's game has dipped a bit of late and he's been overtaken by Jameer Nelson. You could also argue that Rodney Stuckey has, at the very least, caught up to Rajon.
Personally, I'm hoping Paul Pierce finds himself on the outs as well. I'd like to give him a few days off. Give the nod to a youngster like Danny Granger or, even better, let Hedo Turkoglu add All-Star to his resume and possibly price himself out of Orlando when he opts out this off-season. (If you ever see Hedo walking around, be sure to mention how great Sacramento is and that he looks better in purple than pinstripes.)
