Tyson Chandler and Joe Smith/Chris Wilcox Trade Analysis

The second big trade in the last week happened earlier today. The news came out that the Hornets' Tyson Chandler, and the draft rights to former Cal star, Devon Hardin, had been swapped for the Thunder's Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox.

This was a very interesting move. It had been rumored for a long time that the Hornets were looking to deal Tyson Chandler because of his monster deal. He is due to make about $23 million the next two seasons with an option of $12 million in the 2011/2012 season. This move made a lot of financial sense for the Hornets. The Hornets had a payroll of $67 million this season which is $4.15 million under the salary cap right now. They would have been due to pay $77 million next season, but with this trade, they are able to get the expiring contracts of Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox, which will give them more flexibility. Smith and Wilcox make a combined $11.4 million this season, and that will all come off the books for the Hornets next year. In the short term, the Hornets are pretty much out of the discussion to win the West. Wilcox and Joe Smith just can't handle the Pau Gasols, the Tim Duncans, the Yao Mings, the Nenes and the rest of the tall Western Conference forwards and centers. Although Chandler is still recovering from an injury that has kept him out since January 20th, he should be expected to maintain his current level of production. The Hornets have given up their best shot blocker, and since dominant bigmen are so hard to come by in the NBA, losing the 7'1 Chandler is a big blow to them inside. Chandler was not the most productive offensive player, but he understood how to play as a big man. He averages 8.8 ppg, but he knows his value doesn't come from the offensive end. It won't have to with the rapid development of Durant, Green, and Westbrook. Chandler doesn't have an incredibly threatening post game, but he was an incredible rebounder and one of the best shot blockers in the league averaging 8.4 rebs and 1.4 blks a game. Those numbers are a little low considering his size, but rest assured, players think twice before trying to put a shot up over Chandler. He is a definite asset in the middle. He will help the Thunder develop their team. He will be an excellent complement to Durant, Green, and Westbrook. The Thunder are obviously not a very good defensive team, and Chandler has made a living off of his defense and rebounding. A good fit for them overall. The one x-factor I see here is Chandler meshing with the front court of Nenad Kristic and Nick Collison. The upside is that Chandler is 26, which is great for the Thunder because they wanted to allow their core of young talent grow together, and Chandler will undoubtedly facilitate that growth, and be very much a part of it. Another part of Chandler's game that is often overlooked because he doesn't get that many points is his FG%. He shoots 56.3% from the field. It is further proof that this guy can play around the basket, and is a finisher. Remember, Chandler was playing with the US team for the summers prior to the Beijing games so he has been around the best in the league, and has practiced with the best in the world. His veteran leadership as well as his skill set will be a valuable tool for the Thunder's growth.

As for New Orleans, they get Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith. The Hornets have stated that they think Wilcox is athletic and will fit into their system. I have yet to see it. He is listed at 6'10 and 235. Every time I have seen him play, he has been a lackluster defender, and at times gets lost in the game. He is not a big threat on the offensive or defensive end. He averages 8.4 ppg, and 5.3 rebs. Wilcox is going to have a tough time guarding anyone in the West. Granted, those numbers are from this year, and it is hard to get motivated when you are playing for one of the worst teams in the NBA, but Wilcox is in a contract year. We all know what that does to players. It motivates them. If Wilcox can find that "trade inspiration" as I like to call it (when a player moves from a bad team to a good team), he might be an asset to the Hornets for the latter half of this year. Do I really think he is going to have an amazing end of the season? No, but I'm trying to be as optimistic for the Hornets as possible. Joe Smith is pretty much an older version of Chris Wilcox (Both of them are Maryland products. I had to get that ACC jab in there.). Smith is also 6'10, but is 10lbs lighter than Wilcox at 235lbs. He is basically split minutes with Wilcox down the middle in OKC with both players playing about 19 minutes a game. Smith averages about 6.6 ppg and 4.5 rebs. As you can see, both Wilcox and Smith are not big threats either way. Neither player averages more than a block a game. In fact, the average blocks per game for both Smith and Wilcox is .55 blocks a game. They will be a non-factor inside. It is a crucial loss for the Hornets who thrived on Chandler being able to body-up inside. I do believe that this is Hornets GM Jeff Bower's way of saying, "We will see you next season." He can't be criticized too heavily for that considering how clear cut the race in the West is getting. Bower has learned from the Phoenix Suns case study that having the best point guard in the league, an all-star PF, and some shooters is not going to win you a championship. In fact, it will bring you to the brink of a championship only to realize that the team is not good enough, and completely melt down. Bower is avoiding that. He will updoubtedly sign a Center this summer, and look to next season. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden, Antonio McDyess, and Rasho Nesterovic are among the big name unrestricted free agents this summer. I don't doubt that the Hornets will go hardcore after one of those players. The Hornets will test their limit in the playoffs. They will play as hard as they can, and see where their deficiency lies. After they figure that out, they will be very active in the offseason. The future looks good for New Orleans.

Shawn Marion and Jermaine O'Neal Trade Analysis

So a blockbuster trade went down today in the NBA. Toronto's Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon (along with some filler) got traded to Miami for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

I like this trade for Toronto. They get to get a look at Shawn Marion for free, and they get his defense and athleticism alongside Chris Bosh. It also gave them a chance to get rid of Jermaine O'Neal's awful contract and his injury-prone career. Remember how Marion was in MVP talks when he was playing with the Suns? What did that Suns team have? They had a two-time MVP point guard in Nash, an athletic big man in Amare, and shooters galore. Well, Toronto doesn't have the MVP point guard, but he is pretty darn good. Calderon is the forgotten point guard of the NBA. He is averaging 13.1 ppg, but more importantly, he is averaging 8.5 assists per game. That is what Marion will benefit from the most. Marion will be able to play around the basket, and finish plays. So after Marion gets over the fact that he is leaving the warmth of Miami, and traveling to the less than comfortable weather of Toronto, he will understand that Calderon will revitalize Marion's career. Marion is playing for a contract, and people were skeptical of his talent after watching his production in Miami. Rest assured, Marion will be thanking Calderon for bringing him back to his Phoenix prominence. Bosh is the Amare that Marion thrived on in Phoenix. Bosh will command the most attention, and it will allow Marion to be the roamer he loves to be. Throw in shooters like Jason Kapono, and a developing big man in Andrea Bargnani, and the Raptors might have something here. Granted, Toronto is currently not a playoff team, and Marion may or may not change that. This move, in the larger scheme of things, was Coangelo's move to help the Raptors become a playoff team this season. They have the pieces in place for that playoff run. If it doesn't work out, Marion leaves, and they have a large sum of money to spend in this offseason in hopes of keeping Bosh in 2010. On top of the finances, Jermaine was pretty ineffective this season except his average of 2 blocks a game. Marion will bring more scoring, defense, and toughness to the Raptors. In the end, it is going to help both Marion and the Raptors. Great move on Toronto's part. (Note: notice that Jamario Moon is guardig Marion in the picture above.)

I wish I could say the same for Miami. I'm very unsure of what Pat Riley was trying to accomplish with this move. The second O'Neal to grace Miami's roster is going to be nowhere near as effective as the previous O'Neal was. Jermaine O'Neal is one of the NBA's tragedies. He was the superstar that never was. I remember watching the historic 1996 NBA draft and remembered that some guy named Kobe Bryant was the youngest player ever drafted (13th), but then a guy named Jermaine O'Neal got taken at 17th. Jermaine played marginally at Portland early in his career, but he showed a lot of promise as his career went on. He put up some big numbers when he went to the Pacers, but the injury bug hit, and things went south forJermaine. He never fully recovered to his previous production. So here is a guy making the 4th highest amount of money in the league this year (even above Kobe) at $21.3 million, and is averaging 13.5 ppg, 7 rebs, and 2 blks in 41 games for Toronto. Now, that's a lot more court time than he has seen in his previous seasons with Indiana, but it still is not worthy of how much he is cashing in at the bank. When he was traded to Toronto, O'Neal was rejuvinated. He worked hard, and approached the game with a different attitude. The motivation was back. Well, the product of that motivation was the stats I just mentioned. Very underwhelming. So why did Miami want to take Jermaine O'Neal? I'm not sure. They dumped Marion's $17 million for the season, but still owe O'Neal about $22 million next season. I guess that is the key. The summer of 2010 is what this all comes down to. The Heat may be hoping to clear that cap room in order to lure Wade back, and potentially another big name player. Chris Bosh, anyone? So that part of the deal makes sense. It also gives Beasley a chance to develop at the SF position instead of the PF position. That is a plus. If Beasley improves at that position, the Heat could go after that big name PF like a Chris Bosh or Amare in 2010. It will also do some things for Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony, but those players are so sporadic, the impact of Jermaine O'Neal on their games is sort of unpredictable. I also think that Riley sees something in Jamario Moon. He is an NBA journeyman. A young player with a tremendous amount of talent, and I think that with the right moves, Erik Spoelstra's staff can tap that potential.

So lets think about the Heat's long term plan. If the Heat managed to keep Wade, sign a big name PF, Beasley develops to the player they hope he will be, and Chalmers continues his current path of development, this is a bright future for Miami. Miami fans should be able to live with that. Championship in Miami right now, not a chance. So look to the future. On face, this doesn't make sense for this season, but if you look at the numbers, the math turns out to work in the Heat's favor in the long run. Miami has no problem attracting big name players to the city. Although is is, in size, only the 42nd largest city in the country, it is one of the entertainment hubs of the world. I also don't think the weather and flash of South Beach hurt the case for Miami either.

So for Marion and O'Neal, instead of doing what NBA players do over All-Star Weekend, they will be making travel arrangements to go to their new cities. As for us, we hope this is the warmup to a very active trade season. Again, enjoy the weekend.

Izzy

Appreciating All-Star Weekend

I don't know if my love of All-Star Weekend has been blinded by my love for it, but I have read more negative opinions of All-Star Weekend this year, than any other year in memory. My earliest memory of the All-Star game was the 97 game at Cleveland's Gund Arena. I was only 9 years old at the time, and had followed basketball as much as a 9 year old could. It was that All-Star game that I understood what the NBA was bringing to the fans. It was about showcasing the best talent in the world, with the best players in the world, and showing the incredibly quality the game could be played at when all the best talent was on one team. It was a weekend-long show that amazed me every second I watched. Now, people have compared the All-Star game to a circus. Critics are calling for defensive incentives to players (awards, bonuses, etc.), removal of the Rookie Game, Slam-Dunk Contest, 3pt contest, etc. I can't believe this is even being circulated as a mainstream opinion. Here are my thoughts on the recent news of the All-Star Weekend.

First of all, I'm still unsure of why the fans voted in Rudy Fernandez. I actually haven't seen any sign him being a better than average dunker. I have seen him catch a few lob passes, and I have seen him finish some dunks on a breakaway, but what NBA player hasn't? I have a feeling it will be similar to Chris Anderson's 2005 run. And, if we are lucky enough, Nate Robinson will have another awkward, seemingly endless run, at about 100 consecutive missed dunks, but still managing to win the contest. I'm glad that J.R Smith go the go-ahead over Rudy Gay because J.R is an athlete. We have seen him finish countless times, and he will be a fun guy to watch. Apparently, he is asking teammate Chris Anderson for tips, but we hope that Smith is just using that as a guide of what not to do.

As far as the Rookie Challenge is concerned, I think it is fine. It is another chance for fans to see raw skills on a stage. Yes, it kind of inflates the young players' perception of themselves, but they are the future of the league. Most fans do not get to see these players play on a regular basis, so it is good for everyone to see these players have some fun. A handful of these guys will be All-Stars in the near future. It can also act as an incentive for these young players to work hard. They get a taste of what All-Star Weekend is all about, and they have something to work for. That has to be worth something.

Ok, I'll concede that the Celebrity game is a bit excessive. C'mon, we know that it is all marketing. There has to be some level of interest in seeing Justin Timberlake throw a lob to TO that he can't finish, but still claim he could have played in the NBA if given a second chance. It is good for the league. I know that my 15 year old cousin that has no interest in the NBA watches the celebrity game because of, well, the celebrities. It gives the NBA some level of exposure to fans that would never think twice about skipping over an NBA game on tv. In that sense, the game can stay, and we can use marketing to a different demographic as our scapegoat.

Lets group the Shooting Stars, Skills, and 3pt contest challenges all together. You have got to be joking if you can't find some level of enjoyment from seeing Moses Malone, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, etc. coupled with a WNBA player, and a current NBA player launching half court bombs isn't entertaining. The Skills challenge is really entertaining. Watching some of the best players in the league showcase their pinpoint accuracy, handles, and speed is definitely something every hoops fan can appreciate. Of course, the 3pt contest is the same old thing every year, but it is similar to seeing a player in practice. Shooting ball after ball, systematically and rhytmically. Tell me you haven't gone out into your driveway/backyard and done some kind of 3point contest with your friend. The 3pt shootout is another way that we can appreciate shooting skill and stamina.

Yes, I agree that 30 minutes of introduction prior to actually playing the game on Sunday is a bit much, but the players have worked hard to get there, and for some, it may be one of the only times they are showcased. Let them have their spotlight. It is a time for these individual players to represent their team. Although some may think that this feeds into the stereotype of the NBA being a self-centered league, these players have exceled, and in many cases, brought their team to the next level. The game is an honor. It has no implications besides a little bigger paycheck to the winning team. Why can't we sit back and enjoy the game? We are a society that is built on scoring. Isn't that one of the reasons this country has never fallen in love with soccer? Isn't that why this country complains when a football game ends 9-6? A field goal is less exciting than a touchdown. A base hit is less exciting than a home run, and a home run is less exciting than a grand slam. A layup is less exciting than a 3pter. We love to see flash. We love to see the most amazing play. That's what is so enticing and addictive about sports. We admire the ability of an athlete to do something we cannot. We are awed by their physical superiority and skill. So why have we fallen out of love with the All-Star game? It is a time for us to see a glorified pickup game without any losses. There does not need to be an elevated form of defense. Let the players play. Let their creativity amaze us. It is a show, and nothing more. The All-Star game would be much less entertaining if the players were playing for real. So on Sunday, watch the game from a different perspective. Watch the game differently than we normally would. No need to criticize the defense like you would when you are watching your favorite team. Just understand that if a player makes a bad decision, it was to make a play. We should also know that if the game is close, these are professional athletes, which is synonymous with "professional competitor". Their instincts will kick in, and they will try and win the game. We point to the MJ heroics at the Atlanta game in 2003. If we are lucky enough, we will be graced with another highlight to add to one of the greatest players in the league.

So I hope that this positive light on these events has allowed everyone to at least try to take a different perspective when watching the festitivities this weekend. We should appreciate the product for what it is, and not compare it to the playoffs. If none of what I said has struck you, just know that the trade deadline is a few days after this is over, and the season is serious when Monday hits. Enjoy.

Izzy

Vladimir Radmanovic for Adam Morrison Trade Analysis

News came out that the Lakers have traded Vladimir Radmanovic for the Bobcats' Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown.

I'm not sure what to make of this trade. It seems like a lateral move for the Lakers, at best, and a tiny step forward for the Bobcats. I'm going to give the win to the Bobcats for a few reasons. Reason one is that Larry Brown and MJ got to get rid of Morrison, someone they were not fond of, especially after his awful play during his starting job role after Gerald Wallace went down. They add Vlad-Rad, a player they believe can play the 3 or the 4 and can stretch the defense with his outside shooting. Of course, Vlad-Rad has been criticized for his lack of effort at times, and his inconsistency. Radmonovic is also not known for his defensive capabilities, which is one of the reasons Larry Brown fell out of favor with Morrison. When it all comes down to it, Vlad-Rad and Morrison have the same flaws. They both play little to no defense, inconsistent scorers, and inconsistent effort. The Bobcats made the trade probably because they believe that they can Vlad-Rad can hit shots a couple more times than Morrison can. In reality, it was probably just to get rid of Morrison, and they realized that Vlad-Rad was the best thing they were gonna get for him.

On the Lakers side. The Lakers get a 3rd pick who never panned out. We all remember Morrison making ridiculous shots at Gonzaga, but many were skeptical about his success in the NBA. He has proven those doubters correct. Morrison is not the most athletic, but he is a shooter, and that is why the Bobcats took a chance on him. A shooter who will make a shot every now and then, but he won't provide the instant offense we need off the bench night-in and night-out. It is also unknown what role Morrison will play on the team. Vladimir Radmanovic has recently lost his starting job to Lamar Odom, and it will be interesting to see how Phil Jackson utilizes Morrison, if at all. What I think, and what I hope, the Lakers are using Morrison for is a trade piece for another deal. The only one I can see right now is for Amare. Yes, Amare Stoudamire. Lamar Odom and Adam Morrison for Amare would work out financially. The Suns would get the very rare skill set of Lamar Odom, and a guy who could play almost any position except Center in Terry Porter's system. This is all speculative of course, and there has been no mention of Morrison being traded again. It leaves Lakers fans to wonder why Morrison was acquired in the first place. It will save the Lakers $7 million in cap space next season, but the Lakers have not been known as a money saving team. If that is the ultimate reason, I think the Lakers and Lakers fans can live with that. The Buss family has proven they will do whatever it takes to win, and if cost cutting now for wins in the future is what the team is doing, that is something Lakers fans can deal with. Well, Lakers fans can only hope that Morrison will be part of a bigger deal. Morrison's contract is guaranteed until the summer of 2010 with an option for the 2010/2011 season. That could be attractive to some teams, and Lamar's expiring $11.4 million is also an enticing option. As of now, the Lakers just hope that Morrison can develop up to his potential, and prove everyone wrong. Nonetheless, interesting news coming out of the NBA, and one that may not be favorable to Purple and Gold faithful right now. We have seen Mitch Kupchak do it before. We are just outsiders that may not have a perspective on what Kupchak's grand plan is.

Izzy

If you want more trade news and rumors, a great piece by SI will let you know everything you need to know before February 19th.

Quick Word on the Lakers and the Cavs

Unquestionably the two best teams in the league played last night (Boston and LA). It was all we could have hoped for. but the Lakers managed to pull it out by 1 point. As big of a Lakers fan as I am, the rest of the Lakers fans need to put this win in perspective. The win signifies 2 things. A win in the Lakers 'W' column, and of course, the opposite for the Celtics, and a tie break. The probability of the Lakers and Celtics ending with the same record is slim. If it happens, of course the win means something, but at this point, fans from both teams need to move on. In the Finals, KG doesn't get that 6th foul called, and Pierce makes the free throw to make the game 102-101. So, with that said, lets move on and not dwell on the loss for the Celtics. It was for sure a big game, and the Lakers managed to pull it out, and that is a great testament to the mental toughness of the Lakers, but the Lakers have to follow it up on Sunday against the Cavs.

So lets say the Lakers win on Sunday. HUGE statement. The way the Lakers put a statement on this game is to beat the Cavs by another 17 points. If they Lakers distance themeselves like that against the Cavs, they will show the rest of the league that the Lakers are at the top of their game without Bynum, and more importantly, they can compete with the best teams in the league without Bynum. I was talking to some friends, and I've had some readers contact me about Bynum not being able to return until deep into the playoffs and how he won't be effective. I disagree with that. Bynum can come back and provide a completely different dimension to this team. Yeah, he may not be putting up ridiculous numbers like he was pre-injury, but that extra long body in the paint is going to make Tony Parker, Paul Pierce, and whoever else the Lakers may face in the Playoffs think twice before putting up a floater in the lane. The Lakers are not missing Bynum's offense as much as they are his defense. It is very difficult to replace Bynum's frame and skills.

So the game on Sunday is revenge time for the Cavs. The last time the Lakers played the Cavs there was no rhythmn to the game, and no one ever had a chance to truly take over the game as we would expect from a game headlining Kobe and Lebron. Here is why I think Lebron is coming out gunning in this game. Every analyst and player I have heard comparing Lebron and Kobe's performance at MSG this week has said that Kobe's 61 is more impressive because it was so effortless. Trust me, Lebron has taken note. Lebron has also taken note that Kobe and the Lakers are on an emotional high after beating the Celtics last night. Fully expect that Lebron will do everything in his power to stop Kobe from capping off this amazing road trip for the Lakers. The Cavs are another physical team, just like the Celtics, and it is going to be tough for the Lakers to body up with another physical team for the 2nd game in the row. Be assured that Lebron and Co. have had this date circled on their calendar, and look for them to try and take advantage of tired and beat up Lakers team.

Izzy

In case you haven't had enough Laker/Celtics, here is a look at what could have been. It is a painful pleasure for Lakers fans to read.

The Devastating News out of Laker Nation

The news coming out of Lakerland today is that Andrew Bynum has torn his MCL and is out for 8-12 weeks. Collectively, Laker fans everywhere are saying, "We have heard that one before." Right after Laker fans said that, GM Mitch Kupchak is talking about how his life can never be easy. So here we go, another obstacle for Kobe and the Lakers to climb in order to get that championship that has eluded the team since 2003.

Since this news has come out there have been many opinions on what the Lakers need to do. In reality, the Western Conference is nowhere near as strong as it was a year ago. Despite what the standings may imply, the Spurs and Lakers are the top two teams in the Conference, and it isn't even close. The Hornets, Rockets, Nuggets, Mavs, Blazers, Suns, and Jazz are all in the same bucket. Will one of those teams make a move for a big man for the short term? I would expect that they are all going to try. Bynum's injury doesn't open up the West as much as people are thinking it is going to. We have to remember that the Lakers made it to the Finals with this same team. Farmar has also improved drastically, and you would be hardpressed to find a bench that goes as deep as the Lakers right now.

The one team that could break away from the pack right now would be New Orleans (when healthy). They have the pieces to be able to compete with the Lakers. The Spurs are the biggest concern for the Lakers. The Spurs had a 50% healthy Manu last year when the Lakers took the series from them. If San Antonio stays healthy, they have the pieces, experience, and everything in between to steal this away from the Lakers. Lets assume that does not happen. The top 3 teams in the East, Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, can all beat the Lakers. The Lakers and Celtics will play on Thursday, and we are going to get a taste of how the Lakers adjust to big competition in the absence of Bynum. Will they change their style from the Finals last year? Circle the game on your calendar because it is going to be our best assessment of the Bynumless Lakers. The game on Christmas Day with the Lakers/Celtics was not decided until the vey end of the game. Bynum added another dimension to the team, but it is up to the rest of the team to pick up from where they left off last year when Bynum went down, and hope for the best on his recovery.

The Lakers don't need to trade, they don't need to switch things up too much, they dont need to sign a free agent. They just need to play the same game they have been playing. This means that Lamar Odom needs to step up and be the 3rd option. Odom needs to be superior defensively. This is a contract year for LO so him playing well will be an audition for a big contract this off season. This also means that the Laker bench needs to step up more than ever. Josh Powell will need to suit up and is going to start getting big minutes. He is a more complete offensive player than Turiaf last season, and he brings another level of size off the Laker pine. Of course, #24 will be suited up and is going to take it upon himself to be a little more aggressive offensively. Kobe has mastered the, "when do I take over the game?-role". I do believe that if he feels the game slipping away early, he will be Kobe and do what Kobe does. Score and win.

There is no quesiton that this news has just made the playoff race a lot more interesting. Teams are salivating right now, but from here on out, it is up to the Lakers as well as the rest of the teams in the NBA to prove that they are worthy of a spot in the Conference Finals, and Finals.

A Possible Remedy to the Injustice of the All-Star Game

Every year after the All-Star starters are announced people start talking 'he got snubbed'. Well, I think it is pretty obvious where the injustices lie in the All-Star starting lineup so I won't go into that because you all have read 100 articles on the subject. That number will double once the entire roster comes out. With all of this talk, I started thinking of a solution to this problem.

Jeff Van Gundy said today on ABC that the All-Star game is too important to these players to leave the starters solely in the hands of the fans. While some of us intelligent fans may take offense to that, we have to stop and realize that our level of NBA intellect does not accurately represent the average fan iq. As we know, the masses are guided by noteriety. Basically, what is being said in the mainstream media about a particular player will influence their vote. To a much more superficial extent, reputation is one of the biggest guiding factors in voters' minds (*cough* AI *cough*). Yes, I understand the All-Star Game is for the fans so the fans should have a say in who they watch. It is good marketing without a doubt.

We have all heard about the expansion of the All-Star roster to 17. I can support that, but it seems a little contradictory to only allow 15 on a standard NBA roster, but all of a sudden up that number to 17. I do see room for the argument to work though.

My proposal is a bit different than the 'Roster-Expansion Argument'. My proposal is to release the names of the coaches and media members who vote for the rest of the All-Star team. The coaches should have a vote independent of anyone else, but the vote from the media should be influenced by public opinion. In other words, it could be similar to the electoral college for the presidential election. Each media member with a vote is assigned a region of voters, similar to how congressional districts are drawn up. The votes for All-Stars come in, and they gather that information to help guide their votes. Of course, the members of the media could just completely ignore what the general vote is, and vote his or her own way regardless due to the lack of incentive to be faithful on the part of the media member (it's not like they have to run for re-election). My answer to that could be the vote for the All-Stars could be split. 50% for the member of the media (who has been guided by the public vote), and 50% the fans vote. So here is how my theory would work.

'Sports journalist X' is responsible for 'Region X'

'Sports journalist Y' is responsible for 'Region Y'

Sports journalist X's ballot looks like this: Starters: East: Lebron, Wade, AI, Dwight Howard, KG
West: Kobe, Tim Duncan, Amare CP3, Yao (all of this is combined for 50% of the vote)

Region X reports: East, Lebron, Wade, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, KG
West: Kobe, Dirk Nowitski, Amare, Deron Williams, Yao (50% of the vote for Region X)

Sports Journalist Y: East: Lebron, Wade, Jameer Nelson, KG, Dwight Howard
West: Kobe, Tim Duncan, Shaq, CP3, Amare

Region Y: East: Lebron, Wade, AI, Dwight Howard, KG
West: Kobe, Tim Duncan, Amare, CP3, Yao

We can expect that there will be few differences in the votes. For example, Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, and Chris Paul will pretty much be unianimous, barring something drastic, every year. So since Lebron, Wade, Dwight Howard, and KG show up in everyone's East ballot, they are obviously starters. However, AI and Nelson are split. One writer has taken Nelson and one region has taken Nelson. When a tie comes about like this, the fans should have the final say in numbers of votes as is the case of AI and Nelson. If Nelson got more votes, Nelson gets the start, and AI automatically goes to the bench. However, take the case of CP3 above. Everyone has voted CP3 except for Region X. This means that CP3 is automatically a starter even though Region X and Y have split because both writers have picked CP3. If a player gets more writer votes, the player is in, and the general election is meaningless. If more regions pick a certain player and have a higher percentage of vote for that player than writers do, the region wins. For example, lets say combined, all the regions had a 55% vote for Deron Williams, but 70% of writers voted in CP3. CP3 wins. When it comes down to it, a tie will be determined by the popular vote of the fan. In any case, a player that is split, will automatically go to the bench. Essentially, the writer gets the input of the fan, and the fans vote themselves. The writers have act as independent bodies when making a decision with the fans influencing the writers through their feedback.

I think this system gets the best of both worlds. Fans are able to decide split votes as well as influence the decision of the writer, and writers are able to cover up the mistake of fans in the event the fans really got it wrong. It is a sort of checks and balances system.

I have not thought through this system the entire way through so there may be some flaws in my reasoning. Please point them out, and I can make some changes to the theory. Let me know what you all think. Thoughts and opinions are strongly encouraged.

Izzy

Btw, this has nothing to do with basketball, but a friend of mine let me know about this guy, and it is an amazing testament to the human body. Read and watch the video about all the things this man has accomplished and endured in his races.