Why Jazz fans shouldn't vote for D-Will
If Utah Jazz fans really want Deron Williams to make the All-Star team – as much as he wants to make it for the first time, especially with it being in his hometown of Dallas – then something has to be done about something and quickly.
Yep, the Tracy McGrady bandwagon must be stopped.
I have nothing personal against McGrady. Could be a swell dude.
He just shouldn’t be on the All-Star team. Especially not as a starter.
It sounds really weird or backwards. Kinda like asking BYU or Utah fans to cheer for the rival school because it will help their team somehow.
But Jazz fans really need to start stuffing the All-Star ballot boxes with votes for Steve Nash. That’s right, Jazz fans, jump on the Nash bandwagon.
Here’s why:
The NBA just released Round 4 of the All-Star starters voting results, and No. 2 behind run-away guard leader Kobe Bryant is none other than Tracy McGrady. He currently has 746,625 votes and leads third place Steve Nash by a couple of thousand votes. Nash has 744,250 votes, which isn’t enough to make him a starter.
Williams is way back in eighth place with just 285,185 votes, and he’s already conceded that he won’t be voted in as a starter.
Nash is arguably having an MVP season, so he’s All-Star-bound whether or not he’s voted in by the fans.
Don’t expect coaches to not re-invite the much-beloved Chris Paul, either. With the All-Star Game in Dallas, Jason Kidd is another likely invitee, and Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy and Tony Parker are also certainly All-Star worthy.
And McGrady?
If he’s not voted in by the fans, he won’t be invited. Period. Sure, he’s said he might not play, which could open up another spot, but why risk that?
Jazz fans could still vote for Williams and Nash, but it might even be smarter to cast the two guard votes to Nash and Paul just so one or the other passes McGrady.
Anyway, voting by paper ballots ends this Sunday, but fans can still go to NBA.com and vote there through Jan. 18.
Here’s the latest voting per the NBA front office:
2010 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 1,769,287; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,467,365; Chris Bosh (Tor) 724,317; Paul Pierce (Bos) 366,234; Josh Smith (Atl) 334,338; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 228,343; Danny Granger (Ind) 213,371; Michael Beasley (Mia) 188,552; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 151,717; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 133,445; Caron Butler (Was) 110,003.
Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,719,359; Allen Iverson (Phi) 930,713; Vince Carter (Orl) 745,581; Ray Allen (Bos) 510,885; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 445,473; Derrick Rose (Chi) 385,829; Joe Johnson (Atl) 329,100; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 269,566; Jose Calderon (Tor) 157,354; Mike Bibby (Atl) 155,078.
Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,681,897; Shaquille O’Neal (Cle) 609,486; Al Horford (Atl) 178,360; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 168,684; Brook Lopez (NJ) 154,362; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 143,545; Jermaine O’Neal (Mia) 111,065; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 87,590; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 56,598; Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 53,880; Tyson Chandler (Cha) 44,279; Brad Miller (Chi) 40,182.
2010 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,568,259; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 826,130; Tim Duncan (SA) 776,225; Pau Gasol (LAL) 754,070; Kevin Durant (OKC) 556,847; Trevor Ariza (Hou) 504,725;
Luis Scola (Hou) 437,944; Shawn Marion (Dal) 295,310; Ron Artest (LAL) 266,554; Lamar Odom (LAL) 194,567; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 177,663.
Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,793,782; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 746,625; Steve Nash (Pho) 744,250; Chris Paul (NO) 701,417; Aaron Brooks (Hou) 443,369; Jason Kidd (Dal) 429,720; Chauncey Billups (Den) 310,281; Deron Williams (Utah) 285,185; Manu Ginobili (SA) 261,107; Brandon Roy (Por) 257,231; Tony Parker (SA) 248,951.
Centers: Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 1,304,470; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 743,182; Nene (Den) 261,295; Marc Gasol (Mem) 217,675; Antonio McDyess (SA) 157,346; Al Jefferson (Min) 146,773; Greg Oden (Por) 136,388; Marcus Camby (LAC) 121,981; Andris Biedrins (GS) 102,095; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 96,897; Emeka Okafor (NO) 94,685; Spencer Hawes (Sac) 31,767.