Something wrong with the All-Star Balloting?

[Matthew]

He certainly can be a lot more dominating than Odom.

"Can" and "being" are two different things. Darko "can" be an all star one day, but will he? I'd take Odom over Yao right now, Yao is the most overated, overhyped player in nba history.

[Andrew]

And Andrew, Yao hasn't played like the best Center in the West. He's definately capable of a lot more than he's done this season.

Agreed, but consider the rest of the ballot:

M. Camby, Denver Nuggets
E. Dampier, Dallas Mavericks
V. Divac, Los Angeles Lakers
B. Grant, Los Angeles Lakers
C. Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers
J. Magloire, New Orleans Hornets
B. Miller, Sacramento Kings
D. Mutombo, Houston Rockets
R. Nesterovic, San Antonio Spurs
T. Ratliff, Portland Trail Blazers
L. Wright, Memphis Grizzlies
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Or for that matter, any write-in votes for the West. Brad Miller is really the only other player with similar stats this season. Yao is also the bigger name, so he becomes the "best" choice by default.

Andrew... i read an article on Kobe band it points out a real good point. How the hell did all of his troubles which must have tarnished his reputation ALOT... and hesa still getting 6th most votes in voting??? And Im still amazed his averages are up to 27,7,7,1 and 1.... and he only shooting 40% from the field,.. imagine if he sank 45-50% of his FG...

Not nearly enough damage has been done to knock him out of the picture, but I'm sure his troubles over the past year have influenced a lot of fans in their voting. Additionally, T-Mac is now in the West. A lot of people are likely voting for T-Mac and a point guard instead of Kobe and a point guard or the projected backcourt of Kobe and T-Mac.

[TheGuRu]

Yaos going ot be in it. Even if everybody else is better Yaos going to be in it. Its Popularity. When you tihnk of a Center oh Yao Ming. Its first thing that will come into your mind.

Its all Popularity NOT SKILL! And after a wh ile when people start recognizing that persons skill he will get popular. Itsn ot to see whos the best its see who has the most fans. Cause i can tell you, Yaos defintely not the best Center. Hes lazy .... How hell does he travel and double drtibble 5 times in one quarter... AND HES A DAMN CENTER!

Im not suprised that Tmac and Kobe are in teh all star. Theyre one of the best Gs in the West right now. Yes Mike Bibby and Nash are doing good but are they more popular than Tmac and Kobe? Kobe's popularity also increased due to the lil. rape stuff that happened which made him more popular and T-Mac has been making points after points for the Rockets and now that Yao Ming is also popular and people know Tmac is on his team, they both will get popular...

But basically its not skills. Its the fans.

Steve Nash - Sure hell is better than kobe at PG. But Kobe = G and Steve nash = PG. Kobe = Popular and plus Hes A G Which means he plays all G Positions unlike Nash. (*from what i know*)