In the twentieth-year of the Raptors Franchise our history of appearances at the annual All-Star Game lacks something to be desired. Tomorrow, voting for the NBA 2015 All-Star Game begins and I think it’s high time we alter history.
Granted, this event is typically a popularity contest often featuring players experiencing sub-par seasons that routinely return yearly based on their world-wide recognition.
Looking back, only two Raptor players have been voted into the starting line-up of the February event. Vince Carter clearly was the most popular Raptor, appearing as a starter in 4-consecutive years, 3-times as the top vote-getter. The other Raptor voted in by fans was Chris Bosh who did it once out of the 5-occasions he appeared.
Having multiple players represent Toronto is even rarer, occurring once in 2001 when Antonio Davis joined Carter. Yet, even this moment in Raptor history is marred by an asterisk as Davis was neither voted in by fans or as a reserve. He was selected as a replacement for the injured Grant Hill.
Following some lean years with no Toronto representation in the Sunday main event, DeMar DeRozan broke through last season when he was selected by the coaches to the reserve squad.
As I mulled over what it takes to become an annual All-Star some obvious trends stand out:
Considered a super star/franchise player: It’s almost a veritable certainty Kobe Bryant will be voted to his 17th All-Star Game by fans despite his flailing Lakers sitting at 6-16.
Global recognition: Yearly we see players in the late stages of their careers who’ve long since been surpassed by younger talent get voted to the team as starters. Even in years Yao Ming was injured he received starter votes.
Playing beside a super star: With LeBron James return to Cleveland, teammates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are sure to register their highest vote totals ever. Conversely, though Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade will benefit from their reputation they are likely to experience voter slippage.
Strong fan base: The Knicks rank 27th in the Association (4-19), but an avid fan base coupled with New York hosting the game should result in Carmelo Anthony making his 8th appearance.
First-time selections lead to repeated appearances: Frequently players who deserve to make the team annually based on merit are left off. Once they finally broke through the ceiling they often become yearly vote-ins.
Being viewed by coaches as a top contributor: It’s hard to believe Manu Ginobili has appeared just once in the annual exhibition. Tony Parker is arguably the best point guard in the NBA, and yet his 6-appearances were all courtesy of the coaches voting him in as a reserve. Further, when a high seeded team is performing well yet garners no voted starters we often see a single representative selected by the coaches as reward. DeRozan was a prime example of this last year.
Top Vote-Getters
With the NBA experiencing their most popular period in history and the internet opening doors for alternative selection methods its interesting voting has regressed in recent years. From 2000-2004, Carter was the top vote-getter receiving between 1.3 and 2.12 million votes. Dwight Howard remains the only player to break the 3-million barrier with 3.15 million votes. Last year James received the most votes with 1.4 million and Kevin Love had the lowest vote total of all starters with 661,246.
A Call to Action:
With Toronto set to host the 2016 NBA All-Star weekend, this season presents a prime opportunity for Raptor fans to create franchise history by voting in two-starters.
Leading the Eastern Conference with a sizable Atlantic Division cushion over Brooklyn, the Raptors are in the best place possible for this standard to be set. I’m suggesting the fan base vote Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan as starters for the Eastern Conference.
Looking at the trends I listed above the likelihood of our backcourt both making the team is slim to none if we don’t take matters into our own hands. In fact, looking at the historical results there is a possibility neither could make the team. Last season Lowry didn’t even register among the top-ten of backcourt vote recipients while DeRozan finished a distant eighth.
If the trends hold true: Wade, Irving, Wall and Rose are likely to garner the most votes with perennial favorite Rajon Rondo also a strong possibility. Factor in a strong start by the Hawks’ Jeff Teague and the allure of new comer Bradley Beal and we could be in the same position as last year: crossing our fingers the coaches select at least one Raptor to the reserve squad. Keep in mind starters also tend to get more playing time as the coaches assume that’s who the fans want to see.
It’s not as if there isn’t a strong precedent to warrant voting in the Raptor backcourt. Since DeRozan’s injury, Toronto has lost four of the past seven games (including the game versus Dallas). Watching a close contest in Cleveland last night, it’s hard not to imagine DeRozan’s presence might have shifted the needle in our favor. His eighth ranked 7.8 free throws a game, ability to score in clutch situations and mere presence on the court alters games. Facing DeRozan and Lowry forces opposing teams to split their defensive coverage which could have been the difference in three of the four losses.
As for Lowry, he has backed up his renewed contract with arguably his best season as a pro, ranking among the league-leaders in multiple categories:
- Points: 20.1* per game (18th)
- Field Goal %: 44.1*%
- Triple-Doubles: 1 (one of 7-players to achieve it this season)
- Double-doubles: 6 (4th highest point guard total)
- Steals: 1.2 per game (tied for 12th)
- Minutes Played: 4th in NBA
- Free Throws Made: 112 (7th)
- Total Assists: 165 (5th)
- Assists: 7.5 per game (6th)
- Player Efficiency Rating: 10th
- Offensive Win Shares: 3rd
- Free Throws Made: 8th
- Win Shares: 8th
- Value Over Replacement Player: 5.9 (7th)
*Career Highs
Stats: basketball-reference.com and nba.com
While last night’s fourth quarter may still be resonating with viewers, let’s not forget how many games this season Kyle Lowry has stopped the opposing teams’ runs, brought us back from a certain loss or took a charge at a key moment in the game. While it’s true this team is better with DeRozan on the court, the fact remains Lowry and DeRozan form what is considered by many as one of the top-3 backcourt duos in the Association.
Approximately a year ago this team began their magical run and developed their intangible chemistry. With 6-winnable games on tap, Lowry will certainly do his part to keep Toronto at the top of the East. More importantly, DeRozan’s return should coincide with the Raptors 5-game road trip versus some of the West elite. With our top two players and co-captains back together they will set about obtaining their mutual goal of making franchise history in the win column and in the post season.
I’m asking you as fans to join me in making history with them via our actions. With the multitude of digital formats available it literally takes a minute each day to vote. Let’s reward Kyle Lowry for taking the road less traveled by opting to return to Toronto and DeMar DeRozan for his continued growth each season. Let’s send a message that will show these players how appreciative we are of their actions and efforts.
Recently Chris Webber opined to DeRozan on NBA TV about how great it is when a small market’s fan base gets behind their team (he was alluding that Toronto is a similar size to Sacramento). Though I immediately sent Webber a tweet highlighting population stats and told him Toronto is actually the third largest NBA market, it got my blood boiling. I wonder if he would say that to James about Cleveland.
To that end, with the rise of the marvelous “We The North” campaign and strong backing of a country, I say let’s tell LeBron James where he can shove his Nike “1,2,3, Hard Work, 4,5,6, Together” movement!
For giving long suffering and new fans alike something to cheer about, please join me and reward these two athletes by voting them in as the Eastern Conference All-Star starting backcourt.
From my perspective, it’s the least I can do to say thanks for making last year special and giving me something to look forward to this year: another winning season (possibly 50+wins) and the hopes of a prolonged playoff run.
WE THE NORTH!
Notes:
- As per nba.com: For the first time, the NBA All-Star ballot features all NBA players.
- See picture below for voting methods
- Link from Raptors site on how to vote
