FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Bigalke said 01/19, 04:28 PM
Dwyane Wade is one of the most recognizable and electric players in the NBA. Even casual fans could pick his face out of a lineup. And, since the All-Star Game is a chance for the league to showcase its best for the fans, Dwyane Wade will deserve his All-Star nod... if he receives a spot.

This season has been a seemingly down year for Wade. The Heat are mired in a funk, and Wade has battled a dislocated left shoulder and extensive nerve damage in the area all season long. Yet his numbers still match up favorably with his career averages...

This year, in fact, he is averaging almost a point more a game than his career average. And, while his rebound total is down, his assist & steal averages are actually up as well against his career average. Wade, despite the injury, is playing as well as he has in his career...

But a lot of people miss that reality due to the fact the Heat are buried at the bottom of the Southeast Division standings with only eight wins. But Wade should not be punished for being on a losing squad. He showed last night against Portland (37 pts, 5 reb, 3 A, 1 blk, 1 steal, two 3-pt FG) that he is still a dominant force in the NBA, & deserves an ASG bid...

Bigalke said 01/20, 02:20 PM
"Deserve" is a loaded word? What makes a person deserve something? Are team results an indicator of individual merit? Does a proven track record merit consideration in the equation?

What it comes down to, for me, is this: If a plurality of fans wish to see Dwyane Wade as a starter in the All-Star Game, then both he AND those who voted him in deserve to see him start the game. As I referenced in my opening argument, his points, assists & steals are all higher this season than his career averages. He is playing well -- despite injuries and a floundering franchise.

The NBA, better than any other league, understands that marketing the players directly to the fans wins converts. Wade is one of the marquee young faces in the league. Certainly, you can say that Billups is deserving as well... but the fact that there are more deserving candidates than starting positions does not mean that Wade automatically stops deserving his place.

The system is set in place. Players, fans and league officials all knew before voting that the All-Star Game is always going to be a popularity contest. Wade is popular, talented and recognizable... and thus deserving of any slot he receives...

Bigalke said 01/20, 03:54 PM
Well, T-fo, if we are to make THAT distinction about the fans, we must also recognize that this TD is not "Does Wade or Billups deserve it more?"

As I said, Billups is incredibly deserving... but that alone does not make Wade undeserving. The All-Star Game is not intended to reward those players whose contributions lead to victories... it is to reward those players who the fans want to see playing one another. You cannot discount the wishes of the fans when they are the main determinant in who plays and who watches.

Was Kobe undeserving of an All-Star nod simply because Shaq left town? Certainly not. Wade has become a greater focus of opposition defenses with nothing else working for the Heat, and yet he is playing at his consistently-high level. Imagine what his numbers would look like WITHOUT major shoulder damage...

Stats only tell part of the picture. Billups is playing strong in large part because opponents cannot key in solely on him -- or Prince, Hamilton and Wallace will kill them. In Miami, Wade IS the offense. And, as I said before, this TD is not WHO DESERVES TO GO MORE, it is about whether Wade deserves to go. His play in the face of adversity merits his spot.