The Mid-Winter Classic

I went online yesterday to see when NBA all-star voting ended (because I like to cast my ballot as close to the event as possible) and was shocked to see it already had days ago. I realize they need some preparation time, but an entire month in advance? A lot can happen in the span of a month. (Not to mention the ballots were opened three months in advance on Nov. 14th!)
Now, we've all expressed our disgust with ridiculous fan voting in the past, but I think this takes the cake: how the f *** could Shaquille O'Neal be starting?!?! As of the voting deadline, he had played in four games this season. Four. And he didn't even play well--his box score stats averaged per game:

14, 6.75, 1.25, 0.00, 1.00, 3.5 (pts, reb, ast, stl, blk, t.o.'s)

He could have played like that all year long and isn't near all-star worthy, let alone starting. Four f'ing games. I don't believe it.

On the other hand, it was great to see both Chris Bosh and Gilbert Arenas selected by the fans. I voted for Bosh last year because I think he is truly one of the most underrated guys in the league. Get some talent around him in Toronto and they will be on the rise. As for Gilbert, he's putting up ridiculous point totals while coming through in the clutch. The Wiz have the best record in the East and it's all owed to Agent 0.

In the West it is hard to see an all-star five-man team without Dirk or Steve Nash, let alone without both. The conference is so forward heavy, I could see Dirk getting barely edged out, but Nash should be in ahead of Tracy McGrady. The Suns have the best record in the league and Nash is playing towards a third consecutive MVP, whereas McGrady is putting up his usual big numbers but this season has been more successful because Yao has elevated his game. Between Duncan, Garnett, and Dirk, who do you leave out? I'd have to go with Duncan because he really hasn't been as dominant this year. Tough call, though.

Well, my ballot might not have been allowed to cancel out one injustice submitted by Mr. Fan-of-Big-Names, but here it is anyways.

Eastern Conference:

PG: Gilbert Arenas: solid scorer with much to prove.

SG: Dwayne Wade: Sub-.500 record, but he's about all they got right now.

SF: LeBron James: like Wade, not a lot of help, but team still thriving.

PF: Chris Bosh: a poor man's Kevin Garnett.

C: Dwight Howard: boards like an animal and has young Magic in playoffs.

Western Conference

PG: Steve Nash: and to think the Suns almost didn't sign him because of his age.

SG: Kobe Bryant: noone expected the Baby Lakers to look this good and he can still take over games by himself.

SF: Dirk Nowitzki: would have recieved my vote for MVP last year and, as of now, would get it this year.

PF: Kevin Garnett: leading the league in rebounds for the fourth year in a row.

C: Marcus Camby: with absence of Ben Wallace, time to reward hardnosed defense.

*Reserves will come at a later date...