All-Star Game features plenty of good times, story lines
PHOENIX -- It started with Shaq at the Improv and ended with a nine-man clearout for LeBron James, who tossed the ball high off the glass and fired it home with ferocity. For a few hours anyway, the noise and nonsense played second fiddle to fun. The fracturing teams, dysfunctional relationships, the coach and star of the host city getting shafted -- none of it mattered.
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| Kobe, LeBron and the other All-Stars embrace the fun moment, no matter the results in the end. (AP) |
Many All-Star Games have been better than the West's 146-119 victory Sunday night, but it's hard to recall one that was more fun -- or more needed. The NBA needed this not because the quality of play, talent of the players, or interest in the game is suffering, but because they're all on the rise. The NBA needed this because the off-the-court business of basketball has become more ruthless and senseless than ever.
When the Suns whack Terry Porter Monday and replace him with Alvin Gentry, that'll make it eight head coaches fired this season. If the Suns follow through and trade Amare Stoudemire by Thursday's deadline -- one of several financially necessary measures they're considering -- he won't be the first and certainly won't be the last superstar traded for reasons other than talent or entertainment value.
Just scan the All-Star rosters. They're littered with players whose teams have issues.
Allen Iverson: He's in Detroit, shaved head and all, only because he has a $20 million expiring contract.
Chauncey Billups: See above.
Devin Harris: Since the Nets may never make it to Brooklyn, part-owner Jay-Z made the trip to Phoenix to watch him play in a real arena.
Joe Johnson: Nobody knows who owns the Atlanta Hawks, so a court will have to decide.
Mo Williams/LeBron James: Fans in Cleveland live in terror that their savior will become a flat leaver in 17 months.
Danny Granger: The Pacers are bleeding money and need taxpayer dough for a new arena at a time when the taxpayers don't have two nickels to rub together.
David West/Chris Paul: One rival team executive told me recently that the Hornets have to start dumping salary because, "They're broke."
Do I need to continue? Let's not. Thank goodness we had an entertaining, delightful, borderline hilarious All-Star Game to enjoy.
