All-star voting process could nudge out Wade
If it were entirely up to the fans, Heat guard would likely be all-star starter
The NBA changed the all-star voting process two years ago, in part to prevent Zaza Pachulia being elected a starter.
Instead, it might keep Dwyane Wade from being one — again. Luka Doncic and Derrick Rose, too. Entering the last full week of balloting, Wade would be in a good position for a farewell all-star start under the old system, which was solely dependent on fan votes. He’s running second among Eastern Conference guards, with a sizable gap to No. 3 Kemba Walker after the second set of returns were released last week.
Doncic is second among West forwards in a bid to start as a rookie, and Rose is ahead of MVP James Harden in the second spot in the West backcourt. But fan vote is now just 50 per cent of the process, a change that was made after Pachulia was undeservedly nearly elected a starter through a huge overseas push in 2016. The players’ vote and a media panel each account for 25 per cent, and in its first year it did stop Pachulia, who would have been elected to start by fans in 2017. So would have Wade, who was a perennial starter in the previous system. The revamped process might keep him home again. And it might delay a Doncic selection that seems inevitable, but may have to wait. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was reminded Sunday that he said Doncic should be an all-star — though even with his performance as a rookie it’s hard to think he should be ahead of players such as Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis.
“I do have a vote for reserves. I think what I meant to say is he sure looks like an all-star,” Kerr said. “Whether he makes it or not, he’s an all-star. Certain guys just stand out. You see what they do, you see what they mean to the game. If he doesn’t make it this year, he’s going to make it soon enough.” Voting continues through the end of the day on Jan. 21. Toronto and Milwaukee have the two best records in the NBA, and have each had their time atop the Eastern Conference.
So, who is better?
Lloyd Pierce didn’t have the answer to that question, but was in a good position to evaluate the teams after his Atlanta Hawks lost to both over a recent five-day span. “Their main guys are a little different,” he said, referring to Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Obviously, Kawhi is such a grounded player. You can’t speed Kawhi up, you can’t rush him. You’re not going to get him emotionally charged. He’s just always under control and they can play slower and they can play poised basketball, and they can put him in an iso situation. “Giannis is in your face. Everything about his game is in your face and now the way they’re playing is, he’s in your face and they’re spacing the floor, and pick your poison. He’s either getting to the rim and you’re seeing him dominate that way, or he’s getting downhill and someone has to help and they’ve got shooters all over the floor.” Milwaukee crushed Atlanta 144112 on Jan. 4, but the Raptors beat the Bucks 123-116 the next night and have regained the East lead. Toronto then went home and edged Atlanta 104-101 last Tuesday. “I think they play differently,” Pierce said of the teams. “I think it’s a different style, so I don’t know. It remains to be seen who’s the better team right now.”
I think what I meant to say is he sure looks like an all-star. Whether he makes it or not, he’s an all-star.