Comments on: Least Valuable All-Stars: 1974-2008

By: russellkanning

russellkanning — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:04:46 +0000

As a John Stockton fan / Isiah hater ..... the hits just keep coming. He seems like a disaster.

By: porky1

porky1 — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 03:19:45 +0000

The sick thing is, AC Green didn't make any of those lists!

By: twitter_statcenter

twitter_statcenter — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:49:22 +0000

Mitch and BG, the fact that Isiah eventually became a great player (overrated, but still great) doesn't change the fact that he had no business being in the '82 ASG. We're not sending Russell Westbrook to the ASG because he might be a Finals hero in 2013, are we? Yeah, Isiah scored 17 a game in 1982, but that was in a season when the average team scored 109 pts / game. Isiah wasn't in the top five in any category that year - except turnovers, where he was tied for first despite missing 10 games! Outside of the stats, I remember Laimbeer talking about how Isiah had no clue on defense his first year, but could get away with crazy risks because Detroit's big men blocked a lot of shots. As a Knicks fan, I'm just glad I have another good reason to dump on Isiah.

By: BG

BG — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:07:43 +0000

Statistics can be a lot of fun to analyze, but no one stat can judge the true value of a player. Isiah in '82 was in the process of leading the Pistons from nothing to the verge of the playoffs, and then within 5 years to the NBA Finals. To say he wasn't deserving because of turnovers, etc. is a disservice, particularly when you mention his "value" as a player - as the primary ballhandler and scorer for a terrible team, he was bound to take bad shots at the end of the 24 and turn the ball over trying to make things happen. Ultimately, he did - two titles in between Magic, Bird, and Jordan and 5 straight conference finals...seems pretty valuable.

By: Mike G

Mike G — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:26:57 +0000

Isiah Thomas was made for the allstar game. He ran the break as well as anyone, and lots of guys got dunks.
He was twice the ASG MVP - 1984 and 1986.

By: Gardenhead

Gardenhead — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:00:05 +0000

The ASG is both a production and a popularity contest, and rightfully so. You want in? Beat THAT guy... As for the provess, I've only heard one suggestion that's given me pause. The idea that the coaches should make a short list that is then voted on by the fans. That would up the legitimacy of the accolade but still give the final say to the fans. On the other hand, small markets would probably get dicked over. I honestly don't mind the current system's selection process... At least this year... How can I? I'm a Blazer fan. ASG, Dunk Contest, Rookie Game. I'm totally down. I will throw in as a caveat however, after being a fan in the basement. EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE should have some form of representation in the ASG. Iy's just good busuness. Whether it's The Main Event, Rook/Soph Game, the Dunk or Skills Contest, the 3 Point Thing...Hell, there were a few years where as a Portland fan, I would've taken the Stars Challenge and been very happy with it. Gus Van Sant can explode to the hole.

By: andy

andy — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:38:57 +0000

this is a sweet article.
Scott B you are a fagtard

By: Neil Paine

Neil Paine — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:26:52 +0000

AK: That's actually a good idea for a future post, I think we'll do that next week. L, Derf: OK, I can buy the "it's for the fans" argument... to a degree. After all, the game is about showcasing the more exciting aspects of the league -- and unfortunately, smart basketball, unselfish play, tough defense, etc. don't sell as well as flashy crossovers and dunks (witness the low ratings of the '05 Finals, a series that I actually enjoyed). That said, I still think it's a little weird to advocate anyone other than the 12 best players in each conference for the ASG... For instance, a lot of guys have performance clauses in their contracts that give them bonuses for making the All-Star team. Say one of them worked hard to legitimately become one of the 12 best players in his conference, only to have an inferior (but flashier, or more popular) player take the roster slot instead of him. Is that fair? I just think that the All-Star selections have to be based on players' real-world production, not some kind of popularity contest. I mean, we almost had Yi Jianlian starting in the ASG. You can't tell me you'd have been okay with that.

By: AK

AK — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:04:05 +0000

Wasnt Jamal Maglore an Allstar for the Hornets in 03 or around then? He must be the worst player to ever make an Allstar team. What about that list, just the overall worst player to play in an Allstar Game.

By: L

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:29:35 +0000

Neil: The fans want to see the most exciting players, not the most effective ones. For example, it's bad form to play hard defense during the All-Star game, where it is not acceptable to risk injury to the other player. It's also bad form to play hard defense for PR reasons: the fans want to see high-flying dunks and all kinds of acrobatics, not a low-percentage slugfest. Thus, the All-Star teams should feature those players who are most likely to do amazing thing on the court and have fun. The All-NBA teams should feature those players who are best at playing basketball for keeps. These are not necessarily the same players.