Bryant, Carter top earll ASG voting <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Kobe Bryant tops the Western Conference in voting for the NBA All-Star Game, leading the Los Angeles Lakers this season while his sexual assault case in Colorado goes forward. He drew 577,505 votes in the fan vote for the Feb. 15 game in Los Angeles. Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors led all players with 696,652 votes. </div> Article
We already had this posted in the All-Star 2004 thread, and now we have 5 of thes floating around, read people.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">What's not to like about Big Ben?</div> Being a Pistons fan, I like Ben Wallace, but his offensive skills are lacking. Mostly he is a rebounder and shot blocker. That's useful, but I think candidates for the All-Star game should have solid offensive and defensive skills. This year Rip Hamilton is really stepping up for the Pistons, I'm surprised he doesn't get more credit. In my opinion he is a better all around player than Wallace.
Well its obvious Ben is up there. Who else is there in the East that is a C like him? Im not supised one bit.
All Star Voting <font size="1">December 11, 2003</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK -- Kobe Bryant tops the Western Conference in voting for the NBA All-Star game, leading the Los Angeles Lakers in scoring this season while his sexual assault case goes forward. Bryant drew 577,505 votes in the fan vote for the Feb. 15 game in Los Angeles. Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors led all players with 696,652 votes. The vote totals Thursday were the first released by the league. Balloting continues through Jan. 18.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1684092
I hate the All-Star voting. It is really nothing short of a joke. I fail to see how people can in all honesty put Vince Carter on the ballot. I think there are a few players like Baron Davis who deserve to start in that game over Vince. I am surprised that Yao Ming is not above Shaq in the ratings. He has over a billion fans back in China. I think they have just forgotten to vote for him.
Yeah, the Voting truly is a joke. Maybe the chinese couldnt read the ballots? Cause, he got ton last year. But there is no way Vince deserves 1st in votes, or better yet, starting. There are alott better than him. Its sad that this has become a popularity contest.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Prophecy:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, the Voting truly is a joke. Maybe the chinese couldnt read the ballots? Cause, he got ton last year. But there is no way Vince deserves 1st in votes, or better yet, starting. There are alott better than him. Its sad that this has become a popularity contest.</div> You are absolutely right. I really think the All-Stars should be decided by the NBA coaches and the basis for being selected should be over how good you are doing this year instead of your popularity. As for Yao, I think that by the time the voting ends on Jan 18th, he will be in lead. Its no disrespect but he has a lot more world wide fans than Shaq.
There have been reports that only lately has the overseas voting started to build up. So Yao is going to start getting votes he did last year. I think a case can be made for VC actually starting this year. He's averaging 24 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5 assists a game. Baron is at 24.3 points, 4.8 boards, and 8.6 assists. The only real advantage he has in the three big categories are assists. Baron is also starting to slow down a bit, especially with his three point shooting. His stats are virtually identical to McGrady's who is also at this point voted in as a starter (McGrady is at 24.5 points, 6.6 boards, 5.4 assists). The all-star game is also for entertainment. Sure people use it to measure other players' games, but the fans, coaches, hall of fame voters, etc. know how things work and how good players really were in comparison to their generation. VC is still one of, if not the, most exciting players in the league. That's what fans want, and that's what they are making sure they see. Another point on the Yao voting; I believe the NBA regulates exactly how many votes from foreign countries they count. So Yao's advantage is overexaggerated a bit by many.
I think the biggest suprise is Lebron isnt leading or one of the leaders in votes... so much about "Hes going to start- but doesnt deserve to" crap. Garnett 3rd in the west.
Great Idea Dexter. Having the coaches vote, would be more realistic, and would get the best player out there. Unfortunatley, Nba marketers probably wouldnt let that happen. They want the fans to be involved, and to like what they see, which gets the marketers more money. Money is all they want. Which is sad to think about.
That would be better, but you kinda want the fans to interact somehow with the NBA besides buying tickets... it means a lot if your an all-star, but this is a game for the fans to see who they like they like the most in the NBA. Tho All-Star REALLY means your a top player in the league, but thats just not it works lol. Of course it would please us hardcore NBA fans, but not the normal average fan...
One thing that surprises me year after year is how low Pau Gasol is. This season he is behind Carmello Anthony. Pau has the whole country of Spain worshiping him while Anthony has small fan bases in the NorthEast and Denver. After putting up better or equal numbers and having what seems to be more fans, I am always confused why Pau is under guys like Anthony in the voting.
That's just how it is, Wave. I believe the last two years there have been players like Robert Horry, Rick Fox, and other lower tier players who have received more votes than Shawn Marion. Luckily, the coaches were able to see that Marion was a deserving all-star. Even this year I believe LeBron has more votes than Marbury and Pierce.
I think alot of people are still living off of Vince's Slam dunk victory. I think they believe that if they keep voting for him to go ASG weekend,then Vince will decide to take part in the slam dunk contest. Little do they Know this will never happen. At least him starting this season isnt as bad as last year.Kobe leading all players is kind of crazy to me cause I dont think he should go. I know his #ers are all-star worthy& he is one of the league's top stars. but it doesnt look right for the NBA to benefit from Kobe negative press during ASG weekend. This years weekend is pobably going to recieve the most national coverage in NBA all-star history. You combine Kobe(& his situation) with the game being in LA its going to be a media circus. And maybe not in a good way for the NBA. It wouldnt shock me if media/reporters are stuffing the balloting boxes for Kobe to start. I just think that its kind of crazy, that a league that focus so much on image like david stern says it does will allow Kobe(situation) to turn all-star weekend into a media circus. I remember last year Ron Artest was having a great year & deserve to go to the all-star game. But everyone blackballed him from making the team. Saying things like "A guy like Artest making the all-star game isnt a good image for the NBA,or young kids growing up". Well my one question is what type of image is it to have Kobe as a leading vote getter.I know he is innocent until proven guilty. And Iam with Kobe 100% in that aspect. but we still have to remember that there is possibly a serious victim in this situation(with serious unstayble feelings,she did try to kill herself before). How do you think she is going to feel seeing her attacker(if he did it) be praised as an ALL-STAR. Kobe will have at least 7 more all-star games to go to after this one. I think he can stand to take this one off.
So basically, you're asking Kobe to ignore the fan base that has supported him through these times? That would send out more of a red flag, I would think (by the way, he only leads the West, VC leads everyone). Everyone is handing Kobe a helping hand, I'm sure they want to be shown more appreciation than having him sit out. It is a difficult situation, but really this hasn't affected the NBA yet. Kobe is number five in jersey sales right now, has been backed up by coaches and players around the league, and as of now leads the Western Converence in all-star votes. Exactly what negative press has this attracted so far?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sunsfan1357:</div><div class="quote_post">So basically, you're asking Kobe to ignore the fan base that has supported him through these times? That would send out more of a red flag, I would think (by the way, he only leads the West, VC leads everyone). Everyone is handing Kobe a helping hand, I'm sure they want to be shown more appreciation than having him sit out. It is a difficult situation, but really this hasn't affected the NBA yet. Kobe is number five in jersey sales right now, has been backed up by coaches and players around the league, and as of now leads the Western Converence in all-star votes. Exactly what negative press has this attracted so far?</div> I said it going to attract negative media & images for the NBA during All-star weekend. We are not at all-star weekend yet are we? Iam not saying Kobe should ignore his fans. If they were true fans of his and Kobe decide not to play, then they should be able to surpport his decision. This situation is way bigger than a few people that buy his Jersey as a way to surport him. Kobe needs to think about his image & the image of the NBA.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Prophecy:</div><div class="quote_post">Great Idea Dexter. Having the coaches vote, would be more realistic, and would get the best player out there. Unfortunatley, Nba marketers probably wouldnt let that happen. They want the fans to be involved, and to like what they see, which gets the marketers more money. Money is all they want. Which is sad to think about.</div> ^ I couldn't agree with you more. I'm sure they'd prefer to see Vince (injured or not injured) start.
