This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The snickers, whispers and downright laughter were audible around the NBA when the first All-Star ballot returns were released this week. There it was in black and white, Zaza Pachulia, the mediocre center from the Golden State Warriors. He was second among frontcourt players in the fan balloting.
In that light, kudos to the NBA for stripping the fans of half their power, when it comes to fan voting for the NBA All-Star game.
I know, I know. The game is for the fans and who the fans want to see. And the fans only vote for the starting five. Let the coaches get the deserving players in with the reserves.
But this what we have right now: If the All-Star game were to be held today, Pachulia would be a starter for the Western Conference, and Dwyane Wade would be a starter for the Eastern Conference. And that's simply not a good thing.
Pachulia's mere mention is a joke. He's averaging five points a night and is playing less than 20 minutes a night. Wade is much less of a joke — he's one of the greats of the game — but he still isn't close to being All-Star good this season.
The league wants to give the game to the fans. The league doesn't want the fans to make the game a farce. And with Pachulia hailing from the Republic of Georgia, his legions of countrymen are doing just that. This isn't dissimilar to what China did with Yao Ming. But at least he was deserving.
So kudos to the NBA for implementing a system that will prevent Pachulia from coming close to the All-Star game as anything other than a spectator. The fans get 50 percent of the vote. The other half of the vote consists of the players and the media.
Because Pachulia will obviously not recieve any support from the other half, his fan vote won't matter much. He won't be an All-Star. Before this season, the starting five has been little more than a popularity contest. For instance, Kobe Bryant was voted into the game when he obviously didn't deserve it.
Many looked at his inclusion as a legacy nod, and I even wrote in this space that I had no issue with that. At the same time, Bryant's inclusion no doubt took a spot from a deserving player and it's hard not to have a problem with that.
The Western Conference is so stacked this season with great players that we don't need anything muddying the waters. As it is, someone that is clearly deserving isn't going to make the team.
So props to the NBA for doing everything it can to make sure the best product is going to be put on the floor. Nothing is absolutely perfect. But the new system ensures that the NBA's showcase game won't become something it shouldn't be.
Twitter: @tribjazz NBA Power Rankings
1. Golden State Warriors - Finding a bit of a stride lately. Rematch with Cleveland looms
2. Cleveland Cavaliers - Pulled off a steal, trading Dunleavy and Williams and a pick for Kyle Korver
3. Houston Rockets - Unbeaten this season on the tail end of a back-to-back. Good matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Sunday
4. San Antonio Spurs - This is a really good team. It isn't great like last season. Does Popovich need to make a move?
5. Toronto Raptors - Had a tough trip out west, but a good win at home over the Jazz. Lowry has been great
6. Los Angeles Clippers - Have stumbled without Paul and Griffin. But Paul is back and the ship has steadied
7. Boston Celtics - Jae Crowder didn't like the Boston crowd cheering for Gordon Hayward and he was very vocal about it
8. Utah Jazz - Everyone is healthy, except George Hill, who they really need to be healthy
9. Oklahoma City Thunder - Midway through the season, the MVP race looks to be either Westbrook or Harden
10. Memphis Grizzlies - Finished off a tough week with a huge comeback OT win over Golden State. Rematch with the Jazz on Sunday
11. Charlotte Hornets - Slow and steady. They defend and shoot threes and rely on Kemba Walker to create
12. Atlanta Hawks - Traded Korver and Paul Millsap looks to be next. Seems like the start of a firesale
13. Milwaukee Bucks - Giannis is nearing superstardom. Jabari Parker is nearing all-stardom
14. Indiana Pacers - If they ever start defending, they could make a run
15. Chicago Bulls - Now, rumors of Jimmy Butler's availability are spreading. Rajon Rondo already appears to be on the outs
16. Portland Trail Blazers - We still think Lillard and McCollum will be enough for a playoff berth at the end of the day
17. Sacramento Kings - The battle for the eight seed out west is underwhelming record-wise. But the actual race could be fascinating
18. Washington Wizards - John Wall is quietly having the best season of his career
19. New York Knicks - Nice road win over Milwaukee to snap a six game losing streak. Ron Baker is a good player
20. Denver Nuggets - Can score plenty, but stopping people on the other end is an issue
21. Detroit Pistons - Have won just three of their last 10 games
22. Orlando Magic - Aaron Gordon is finding a rhythm. He's showing why he was a lottery pick
23. New Orleans Pelicans - We keep waiting for them to make a run up the standings. Anthony Davis should be enough
24. Phoenix Suns - Record may not show it, but they are one of the more improved teams in the league over the last month
25. Miami Heat - Now Justise Winslow is out for the season. Time to tank for that top five pick
26. Los Angeles Lakers - Plenty of highlights. Not so many wins
27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Simply too much talent on this roster to be struggling like this
28. Dallas Mavericks - Had been playing better, but they've regressed again
29. Philadelphia 76ers - Played Boston tough on the road, and Ben Simmons is nearing a debut
30. Brooklyn Nets - They play very hard. There's just not enough talent