NBA won't take fans out of All-Star voting

When more than a million people vote to see you start an NBA All-Star Game, you go. Allen Iverson made that point clear when he called it a "no-brainer" that he would accept the invitation to Dallas despite playing at a level well below All-Star standards.

"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 reporters in Philadelphia Friday. "They voted me in, and it's an honor. I don't want to disrespect them by not participating in the game."

But the situation has created a debate throughout the NBA about the selection process for All-Star starters. Should the league leave it up to the fans and therefore turn it into a popularity contest rather than a showcase of the league's best players?

TNT's Kenny Smith offered an idea that the players should pick the starters and perhaps the fans could select reserves. Right now the fans select the starters and the head coaches vote on the reserves for their respective conferences. Players are not part of the process.

"The greatest compliment of all is when your peers vote for you," Smith said during Thursday's broadcast.

But fan All-Star ballots have been the process in all of the major sports; considering the marketing aspect, that isn't about to be replaced by a player poll. So the league will have to deal with the occasional inclusion of a player based solely on popularity, not performance.

Along with Iverson in the East, it appeared Tracy McGrady was close to landing a starting spot in the West - and he's currently in exile from the Houston Rockets - before Steve Nash won the spot in the final tally.

Atlanta's Joe Johnson deserved the starting nod over Iverson, so we give him an obvious spot among the East reserves along with Rajon Rondo (Celtics) at guard, with Gerald Wallace (Bobcats) and Chris Bosh (Raptors) at forward, Al Horford (Hawks) at center and David Lee (Knicks) and Derrick Rose (Bulls) as the extras.

If Kevin Garnett can't play because of injury, Bosh slides into the starting spot and we say give Shaquille O'Neal (Cavs) a lifetime achievement nod (yes, we just contradicted ourselves).

In the West, give us Brandon Roy (Blazers) and Aaron Brooks (Rockets) at guard, Kevin Durant (Thunder) and Zach Randolph (Grizzlies) at forward, Chris Kaman (Clippers) at center and Chris Paul (Hornets) and Deron Williams (Jazz) as the extras.

The reserves will be announced Thursday.