The starters for the 2009 NBA All-Star game were announced on TNT Thursday night, and once again, the fans demonstrated the decision should not be theirs. Detroit’s Allen Iverson received 1,804,649 votes proving that 1,804,649 NBA fans don’t know what they’re talking about.
New Jersey’s Devin Harris was the obvious snub in this year’s popularity contest as the up-and-coming point guard was blatantly made aware NBA All-Star voters, much like those in other sports, favor status over substance.
Harris, who was foolishly traded away by the Dallas Mavericks before last season’s deadline (but that’s a blog for another time), is the 11th highest-scorer in the entire league at 21.5 points per game placing him 20 spots higher than AI. And when you look at the numbers, which is the only thing anyone should look at, Harris’ 2008-2009 totals leave little-to-no evidence for his omission.
Along with the loftier PPG average, Harris has higher field goal, three-point and free throw percentages, averages more assists (both per game and per 48 minutes), a better assist-to-turnover ratio, and the same amount of steals per game all while averaging three less minutes on the court. Are you noticing a trend? Along with the raw numbers, Harris’ stellar play has propelled the Nets from an anticipated cellar dweller into the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference. Iverson, on the other hand, was traded from Denver to the Pistons three games into the season, and his subtraction has benefited the Nuggets more than his addition has aided the Pistons.
Please don’t misunderstand me, Iverson has been a premier player in the NBA since his arrival thirteen years ago, and he has an MVP to show for it. He single-handedly catapulted the Philadelphia 76ers to their Finals thrashing in 2001, and if he were to retire during practice tomorrow, he would finish with the fourth highest points per game average in history behind only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James (if you’re ready to count James after only 431 games). But the 2009 All-Star selection shouldn’t be based on what Iverson has done in his career, it should be based upon what he has done in the 2009 season, and this season’s numbers are not All-Star quality.
Hopefully, fans will correct their error next year when Harris or another player in a similar situation continues to prove they are one of the premier young talents in the NBA, and Iverson continues to prove that his Hall of Fame game is not once what it once was. It’s time fans voted for the name, not the numbers.
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