Argue that Anthony Mason has no business being an All-Star over teammate Brian Grant. Rage against the (NBA coaches' political) machine that Allan Houston is picked ahead of Spree and both are taken instead of Andre Miller. Curse David Stern's power ties that Karl Malone, who has no use for the event and garnered fewer votes than Sean Elliott, has been conscripted for the 13th year in a row.
But if you really want to wave the flag of injustice, do so for Kings point guard Jason Williams. It's not that I think JWill is one of the top 24 players in the league or one of the top 12 players in the Western Conference. I'd rate JKidd, GP, Steve Francis, Terrell Brandon and maybe even Mike Bibby ahead of him among the West's point guards.
No, the reason JWill deserves to be in D.C. next weekend is because the fans want him there. Sure, he often plays as if he's in an All-Star game, which is why it'll be years before the coaches select him as a reserve or he sees All-Pro recognition. But only eight players in the entire league received more votes than JWill's 925,310. The only non-starter to get more public love was KG.
Granted, some fans punched JWill's chad because they'd like to see another elbow pass or a three-pointer launched from his forehead. But that's no less wack than the prerequisites the coaches use -- whatever they are.
The All-Star game is about stars -- shiny, bright things that fill us with wonder and make us laugh. It's about acknowledging and glorifying the game's playground roots, and all the sideshows that come with it. (If I were commish, there'd be a trash-talking contest.) And know this: if the league's coaches could be unanimous about anything, it would be JWill's street-ball IQ.
Recognizing the league's best players? That's what All-Pro teams are for.
