Who do I want to watch play basketball?? The Answer.

Who am I willing to pay to see?? The Answer.

Who likes to talk about All-Star games, which count as much as practice!? The Answer.

“I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we’re in here talking about practice," said Allen Iverson in May 2002.

Just like practice, the NBA All-Star game doesn’t count in the standings. Just like practice, the NBA All-Star game has nothing to do with the post-season. Unlike practice, it looks like Allen Iverson will be there.

I think that’s great! If they ask me who should start in the All-Start game: ‘The Answer’ is my answer. Allen Iverson, a.k.a. A.I., a.k.a. The Answer, a.k.a. Shorty Doo-Wop, a.k.a. Tater Salad…That last one’s a lie. A.I. is fearless, aggressive, and creative. He plays a great brand of basketball and I love to watch it.

Who else has been absent from the public eye for a while!? Tracy McGrady! Do you remember the sharpshooting clutch scoring machine in Houston? That was him! In 2003, he was the youngest season scoring leader in NBA history. In 2004, he became the youngest back-to-back scoring leader in NBA history. Geez, he must be good. In 2005, McGrady scored Houston’s final 13 points, in 35 seconds, to steal a win from San Antonio.

Some might say Allen Iverson hasn’t been a positive influence on a basketball team since his last MVP season in 2005. Some might say that being effectively kicked off of a losing team, Memphis, to be sent to a worse team, Philadelphia, isn’t good for a player’s reputation. Some might say that Tracy McGrady’s 6 games played and 3.2ppg average this season should disqualify him from the All Star game. According to the ballots, the fans are not “some” people.

Sure, one of the best players in basketball will not get to go to the All-Star game this year. But that happens every year. If you want to be an All-Star that bad, here are two ideas: Make a winner out of a national hero (Yao Ming) like McGrady and dominate the international ballot. Or, be the smallest, quickest guy on the court, sacrifice your body, and always put up 30 points (and 50 shots) like Iverson. Entertaining press conferences don’t hurt.

How special was it to see Magic Johnson be written in to start the game in 1992? How many retired athletes win All-Star Game MVPs after contracting AIDS? That’s how special.

I thought this country was built on voting, anyway, why would we want to take that away from anyone? Don’t the players have better things to do besides gripe about being disrespected by the fans!? Isn’t winning more important than individual accolades? The All-Star game is for the fans, let it stay that way.

Through Magic, McGrady, and the Master of Practice, we have all learned a valuable lesson: You don’t have to be an All-Star to go to the Hall of Fame, but if you have Hall of Fame talent, you’ll never miss an All-Star game.