So Close

Posted by Rob Mahoney on January 23, 2009 under xOther |

If it wasn’t painfully obvious, I hate All-Star fan voting.  The idea that Allen Iverson is now guaranteed a spot and could deny one to the likes of Jameer Nelson puts a bad taste in my mouth.  About a week ago I tackled the topic at Hardwood Paroxysm in regards to the influx of fan voting for Yi Jianlian, but last night’s final returns had an unexpected wrinkle.  Check out the vote totals, and take note of the Western Conference forwards.  You may notice that a certain individual named Bruce Bowen is kind of listed at number 3 in votes among Western forwards.

Now while in principle I hate the idea of Bowen as an All-Star, it represents another squandered opportunity to force the hand of the league in regards to All-Star reform.  If whatever superhuman grassroots movement Bowen had going for him had wrangled together about 70,000 more votes, we could be looking at a brand new day.  Instead, we’re still staring down a potential wasted spot year after year, with players banking on reputation or the patriotic fervor of their homelands.  Ugh.

For related reading, check out Tim Varner’s post at 48 Minutes of Hell.