Last Thursday, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game rosters were announced. Allen Iverson, who pouted in Memphis, retired and then rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers, got more than 1.2 million fan votes to “earn” a starting spot for the Eastern Conference.
Seriously?
Iverson has played 20 games, averaging 14.2 points and 4.3 assists. Does “The Answer” really deserve a spot over the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo (14.1 points, 9.6 assists in 40 games), the Bulls’ Derrick Rose (19.4 points, 5.9 assists in 41 games) or the Hawks’ Joe Johnson (21.1 points, 4.9 assists in 42 games)?
Apparently, Iverson thinks so.
“My fans want to see me play, and they have the right to put in who they want to put in the game,” Iverson told the Associated Press Friday.
Well, they shouldn’t. Much respect to Iverson for a great career, but the All-Star Game is about the best players in the game today, not the most popular.
Iverson should have turned the spot down. It’s time for a change in the selection process.
The NBA ought to be thankful a mischievous group of fans didn’t think to vote in Washington Wizards gunslinger Gilbert Arenas.
