I will admit I’ve never been a huge proponent of all star games in the past,  but any weekend  activities that are promised to “make the Super Bowl look like a bar mitzvah,” you can bet your children’s unborn children that I’ll be watching.  Although still a few weeks away, the 2010 NBA All-Star game has already began stirring up controversy.  From Lebron’s dunk contest woes, to Allen Iverson’s decision to start, to the most recent comments made by Mark Cuban, All-Star Weekend should not disappoint.

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Lebron James told Cheryl Miller at last year’s event that he was a “preliminary contestant” for the 2010 slam dunk contest.  Yea right!  If you actually believed the words of Lebron James on TNT last February I apologize.  Many of Lebron’s harshest critics say that if he ever plans on being the next Michael Jordan, he needs to not only compete, but win the dunk contest.  First of all there will never be another Michael Jordan, and especially not Mr. James.  What upsets me most about King James decision was not the broken promise, or the fact that I won’t get to watch him showboat all over my television some more, but the reaction from the media.  Many of them sound like a bunch of whining children begging their mom and dad for a new toy, “But I really, really want this Lebron”!  He filled your hearts with excitement and anticipation I know, but Lebron James will not dunk in 2010, or 2011, or should I keep going? King James will never participate in a contest like this for the fans until he can simply get over himself.  Lebron James you’re not nor will you ever be the next Michael Jordan.

Another interesting story leading up to this year’s All-Star weekend involves Allen Iverson’s decision to start for the Eastern Conference.  Many sports writers and Iverson critics think he’s taking a spot away from a deserving All-Star, one like Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks, or David Lee of the New York Knicks.  You know what, there probably right.  However don’t blame the man for starting a game in which he was voted into by the fans, the same fans who will be there February 14^th in Dallas.  If you’re going to be pissed off that he doesn’t deserve it, go ahead you have a valid point, but don’t be pissed off at Allen; take your aggression out on the NBA.  The NBA allows fans to vote online or via text message once a day for approximately 3 months.  Does anyone else see something wrong with that?  Do I have the answer on how to fix voting for All-Star games, no, but what I do know is the answer needs to include the fans.  They are the ones buying the season tickets and the numerous amounts of team merchandise to show their loyal support to their favorite franchise.  So to all of you who blame Allen Iverson for starting, back off, take your complaining right to David Stern.  Oh yea one more thing; if you got voted into the NBA All-Star game, would you start?  If you said no, you’re lying to yourself.

Don’t get me wrong, Lebron James is allowed to change his mind and Allen Iverson does not deserve to start in an All-Star game, but who’s really to blame for all the hype of these controversies?  The media again portrays two situations that essentially are irrelevant and turns them on the athlete.  Lebron is labeled as a liar, while Allen Iverson is selfish for starting a game he doesn’t deserve.  All I can say is thank God Allen Iverson doesn’t have to come off the bench in this game, we all know how that worked out it Memphis earlier this season.  “I don’t know no all league player to come off the bench, I don’t know no 2 time NBA scoring champ to come off the bench, I …. “ ok I’ll stop.   Make sure to tune in February 14^th on TNT as 80,000 plus are anticipated to pack Cowboy stadium for the 2010 NBA All-Star game.