Blemished stars

Some All-Stars not as deserving of honor as others

When arguing over NBA All-Star selections, too many folks skip the best part.

Instead of just saying who deserves to be on the team, tell us who doesn't belong as well. After all, there are only 12 spots on each roster.

For example, the two players who should be dialing the FBI this morning to see how they got left off are Clippers forward Elton Brand and Cavs point guard Andre Miller.

Brand is a legit 20/10 guy who has carried L.A. most of the season. He deserved the nod over Wally Szczerbiak, who has been terrific but gets the benefit of playing alongside Kevin Garnett.

Meanwhile, all Miller has done over the first half is lead the NBA in assists (10.0). He should have been on the East instead of Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who is an all-star talent but who got off to a slow start this season in Atlanta.

Here's hoping these two quiet leaders are at the top of David Stern's list in case he gets to select any injury replacements.

Now onto the 'bag:

What are your thoughts on the NBA's new TV deal? It looks to me like the NBA Finals will now be on the Food Network, in between Emeril Live & Martha Stewart. Isn't the NBA slowly working itself into hockey ratings with this all-cable package? -- Bob Barber, Memphis, Tenn.

It sure seems like the NBA is taking a step backward, Bob, but the Commish has a pretty good track record on these matters. He's betting that it won't make a difference if the games are on cable, and he's probably right. Does it really matter if you have to watch it on Channel 5 or Channel 47? Don't we tune into the Sopranos as easily as West Wing? Besides, the NBA will get $4.6 billion over six years, not too shabby considering today's tough economic times. And don't worry about losing the Finals amid South Park or the Home Shopping Network. The championship games will still be on network TV, just now over on ABC.

I am truly a Vince Carter fan, but can you please explain why a player with his athletic ability, does not go to the basket and only averages three to four free throw attempts per game? -- Alvis Taylor, Ashburn, Ga.

Good question, Alvis. I know several NBA coaches and scouts who wonder the same thing. Carter has a reputation for "settling" too much, and the numbers seem to bear it out. He currently averages 5.2 foul shots per game, far behind other all-stars such as Michael Jordan (6.0), Kobe Bryant (7.3), Tracy McGrady (7.5) and Paul Pierce (7.6).

Carter denies that he shoots too much from outside and says he is simply taking what the defense gives him. It's hard to argue with Air Canada. He does possess a lethal j to go with his amazing hops. But as someone who vividly remembers Jordan attacking the rim every chance he got in his younger NBA days, it seems like Vince would do well to take that same approach more consistently.

Which of the rookies who came straight out of high school in 2001 will have the greatest impact? I've been watching Kwame Brown all season, and after a promising start he has been struggling to get minutes in Doug Collins' lineup. Also, what's going on in Cleveland with DaSagana Diop, and what ever happened to Ousmane Cisse? -- Minor Underwood, Fairfax, Va.

Check back with us in a few years, Minor. Brown, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Diop -- the first, second, fourth and eighth overall picks in the last NBA draft -- are all struggling after joining the league right out of high school. Brown barely plays for the resurgent Wizards. Chandler and Curry get more time with the rebuilding Bulls, but each has been erratic. The Cavaliers' Diop had almost as many fouls (14) as points (16). Cisse, the Alabama high school prospect selected by the Nuggets in the second round, failed his physical and is not even in the league. Right now, Curry is probably the furthest along, but only time will tell if he proves to be the best in the long haul.

Miami has finally started to turn things around after their horrible start. How much of that can be attributed to Rod Strickland's play of late? Is he finally beginning to actually "fit in" somewhere? -- Chris Patton, Bellingham, Wash.

Strickland has been a key part of the Heat's recent surge. He averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 assists during their recent six-game win streak. His ability to penetrate the lane and also to hit the open mid-range jumper have added new dimensions to the Heat attack. After spending the first month or so figuring out Miami's offense and getting over a sore right hamstring, Strickland finally seems to be comfortable. He also seems to be "fitting in" as a Miami citizen. He hasn't had a DUI arrest yet.

How are turnovers and steals in the NBA scored? In the NFL, turnovers are scored both as "takeways" and "giveaways." Is there an NBA stat recorded against the player who "gave it away?" Is a "steal" also counted as a turnover? -- Jim Dacuws, Cocoa Beach, Fla.

The NBA keeps track of turnovers and steals by individuals. The league issues guidelines to each team's stat keepers to help them decide. Not every turnover counts as a steal. For example, if Jason Williams throws a behind-the-back pass into the fourth row, it counts as a TO for him but not a steal for the other team. However, if Gary Payton intercepts the pass, it counts as a steal for Payton and a TO for Williams.

Why are Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter always considered the best three all-around players in the game over Paul Pierce? Pierce is arguably having a better season than all three of them. -- Jack Hamley, Norwich, Conn.

Playoffs, Jack. If Pierce wants to be included among the game's elite, he's going to have to produce on the big stage when the pressure is on and everyone is watching. Bryant, Vince, T-Mac, Ray Allen and Allen Iverson all have dazzled at times in the postseason. The good news is that the Celtics are well on their way to their first playoff appearance since '94-'95, so Pierce will soon get his chance to show his stuff.

Which NBA starting center did the Knicks pass up, not once, but twice when they selected Frederick Weis in the '99 draft? -- Michael Nicolini, Stamford, Conn.

The Knicks passed up Todd MacCulloch of Washington when they tabbed Weis with the 15th pick in the first round and then took Iowa's J.R. Koch at No. 46 in the second round. MacCulloch, who went to the Sixers one pick later, is now averaging 10.2 points (on 53 percent shooting) and 6.4 rebounds as the starting center for the Atlantic Divison-leading Nets. Incidentally, Koch never played in the NBA and Weis, whom the New York press has dubbed The French Foof, has become famous only for being dunked on by Vince Carter in the 2000 Olympics.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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