Although Kevin Durant is no doubt a top 3 player in the NBA, I find it difficult to put him in the All-Star game having only played 21 of his teams 46 games when someone like Damian Lillard has played in all 47 of his teams games and competed at an all-star level night in and night out. I know they somewhat attempt to fill specific positions and plenty of cases could be made for other players, but what do you all think about this issue overall?

 

I believe the NBA should require a player to at least have played in roughly 2/3 of their teams games to be considered for selection as an All-Star.

Easy answer yes

I wanna say no. The game is for the fans. If I pay to see an All-Star game when it comes to my city or one nearby, get the hotel room in advance, all that, then I want to see a guy like LeBron or Durant in the game, even if they haven't been healthy for a good part of the first half of the year. Maybe in baseball I see more of the argument because it's for home field advantage in the World Series, but in the NBA, there's not really anything on the line, so I don't see what it hurts to put in whoever the fans want to see.

I'd be happy if they just played D for four quarters in the All-Star game. They do crank it up at the end if it's close, so kudos for that.

I wanna say no. The game is for the fans. If I pay to see an All-Star game when it comes to my city or one nearby, get the hotel room in advance, all that, then I want to see a guy like LeBron or Durant in the game, even if they haven't been healthy for a good part of the first half of the year. Maybe in baseball I see more of the argument because it's for home field advantage in the World Series, but in the NBA, there's not really anything on the line, so I don't see what it hurts to put in whoever the fans want to see.

I agree completely. Who wants to go to an all-star game that doesn't have one of the two best players in the league in it?

 

When Jordan made it with the Wizards I liked it. He was one of the biggest stars in the league.

KD deserves to be an All Star. Lillard does too. I want to see KD in the game before Lillard if I have to choose between the two. KD is the real MVP.

I think it really depends on what you think about the AS game. If you are trying to reward the best players at this point in the season then no KD shouldn't be on the team. If it's a game where the fans just wanted to see the best players the game has to offer than yes he belongs. Personally I think they should have a threshold of some sorts. Say you have to have played in 60% of the games at this point.

KD deserves to be an All Star. Lillard does too. I want to see KD in the game before Lillard if I have to choose between the two. KD is the real MVP.

 

I look at it this way, if the fans wanted him in he would of been voted In. The fans chose not to vote him in. In fact Durant was only 5th in front court votes.

 

At that point if you miss to many games the coaches should have enough common sense to reward players who weren't out more than half the season to date.

It's a popularity contest.

It's a popularity contest.

 

True the starers are voted in by a popularity contest by fans. But the reserve players are selected by coaches and you would hope those would be selected by performance.

I look at it this way, if the fans wanted him in he would of been voted In. The fans chose not to vote him in. In fact Durant was only 5th in front court votes.

 

At that point if you miss to many games the coaches should have enough common sense to reward players who weren't out more than half the season to date.

 

If I am a coach and KD is available to play there is no way in hell I take Lillard over KD for any reason.

KD deserves to be there. The problem, at least this season, is there are about 25 guys in the West that are no doubt All-Stars. Not enough spots. The East is really bad, and the West phenomenal.

KD deserves to be there. The problem, at least this season, is there are about 25 guys in the West that are no doubt All-Stars. Not enough spots. The East is really bad, and the West phenomenal.

 

Seems like the NBA should be the one to adopt the drafting system for teams for the ASG. Pick-up ball with All-Stars? I'm in.

If I am a coach and KD is available to play there is no way in hell I take Lillard over KD for any reason.

 

Totally agree...but I love Lillard's game...he is not KD though

KD deserves to be there. The problem, at least this season, is there are about 25 guys in the West that are no doubt All-Stars. Not enough spots. The East is really bad, and the West phenomenal.

 

KD deserves on this years accomplishments?