Surprised LeBron James didn't make the 2004 NBA All-Star game?
You're not alone.
I am with you, but then again, I'm not. Let me explain.
I am, because with all the abilities in the world and the advertising potential of a Michael Jordan, what is there even to consider with LeBron?
In a day and age when image is everything and thirst is nothing (thank you Kobe Bryant and Sprite), I am stunned to see one of the biggest representatives of the NBA not get recognized by the fans, especially since they continue to think Vince Carter can still play, let alone be a starter.
King James signs a $100 million dollar SHOE contract before playing a second of professional basketball, became the first pick in the draft and is one of the most recognized faces in American sports. On top of that, did I forget to mention that he's only 19 years old?
Outside of the business aspect of the NBA, LeBron is arguably one of the best all-around players in the league already. Averaging 20.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest, 'Bron has taken the pathetically irritating Cavaliers to ... gulp, playoff contenders, in just his first season. Now if that does not warrant MVP consideration, let alone an All-Star appearance, I don't know what does.
As confused as I am that Vince Carter continues to be the most overrated player in the NBA, I am even more confused by the ridiculous system the NBA employs in having coaches select reserves, which for some reason is why I'm not that surprised LeBron isn't an all-star.
As much flack as coaches get nowadays, with firings by the blink of an eye, you can't really blame them for not taking LeBron. For some reason, they have to choose a center, two forwards, two guards and two others regardless of position.
But isn't that exactly what defeats the purpose of having an All-Star game, where the best players play in the main event?
With the best all-star experience in any of the major sports, the NBA has a duty to put the players on the court that truly earned the spot, not because of the lack of players at a certain position, i.e. first-year all-star selection, Hornets center Jamaal Macgloire.
So what should the NBA do? Stop allowing the fans to vote in bad players, or trash their rules of having a certain number of players at each position?
I think trash the rules.
'Bron is the future of the NBA and the more we can expose him to the younger crowd, the better for the game of basketball, especially since he earned it.
Arvind Gopalratnam is a senior majoring in journalism and if you don't like what he says, e-mail him at agopalratnam@wisc.edu.
