The starting lineups for the 2016 NBA All-Star game were announced on Thursday and featured a member of the Knicks. It just happened to be the wrong one.
Alongside LeBron James, Paul George, Dwyane Wade and Kyle Lowry, Carmelo Anthony will make his ninth all-star appearance. The 31-year-old -- with 567,348 votes -- edged Pau Gasol (566, 988) by only 360 votes for the final starting position in the East frontcourt.
Kristaps Porzingis Smart To Avoid Endorsements
But this isn’t about Anthony -- this isn’t even about Gasol -- this about what the people want.
What the people want is Kristaps Porzingis.
Kristaps Porzingis Needs To Fight More
It could be argued that if the fans really wanted the Knicks rookie in the starting lineup, they could’ve simply voted for him. After all, Porzingis was well off Anthony’s pace in the polls.
Kristaps Porzingis finished 6th in Eastern Conference All Star voting, about 94,000 votes shy of a starting spot.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 22, 2016
Different variables, however, must be taken into account when considering why one places a vote, including merit.
Anthony does “merit” a spot over Porzingis in the all-star game -- he’s outperforming his counterpart in points per game, FG percentage and assists -- but it’s Porzingis who’s outperforming Anthony in the most important figure of all.
Money.
Having the No. 4 selling jersey is 'unbelievable' to Kristaps Porzingis: "It’s a dream come true to see that many people wearing my jersey."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 21, 2016
Anthony, by comparison, is No. 15, per NBA.com.
A dollar tells you more about player’s popularity than a vote. You spend 110 of them to represent the player you enjoy watching, not the one who “merits” it.
And no one's watching the all-star game because of "merit" anyway. It's a meaningless exhibition the players don't even take seriously anymore. Why should the starting lineups follow some moral compass?
If Porzingis’ number will be better represented than Anthony's on Feb. 14, the only sensible thing would’ve been starting him on the court.
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