Adam Silver: Kobe Bryant 'deserves' to be an All-Star

Adam Silver: Kobe Bryant 'deserves' to be an All-Star

“I hope to see him there. I think he deserves to be there. He’s going to retire as one of the NBA’s greatest players.

“He’s done, even beyond his play on the floor, he’s played as great a role as anyone in international expansion of the game. Right now, I’d say in China, there’s still Kobe and everyone else. I think because he was such a hit there when he was there with the national team for the Beijing Olympics, and I know he’s made so many trips to China over the course of his career in the NBA. I think the same thing in Indiana and Africa and Latin America and of course Europe, where he grew up.

“He’s just one of those great global ambassadors of the NBA. And I hope in the same way that Dikembe Mutombo now is a global ambassador of the NBA that we find a way to keep Kobe involved. So, we’ll what the fans and the coaches decide, and then, we’ll go from there.”

I'd have to agree with Kelly Dwyer that "deserves" isn't really the right word, given his play this season. It's appropriate in the context of his career achievements of course, so I'd kind of agree that "belongs" is more the correct word, but nitpicking the terminology aside, I get the argument for Kobe having one last send-off at this year's All-Star game.

As noted in Dwyer's article, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the obvious parallels here, though both were performing better than Kobe is right now. I don't think it would be inappropriate if Kobe wasn't selected for the All-Star game, based on the fact that other players this season are far more worthy of the nod. Consider that Shaquille O'Neal is also an all-time great and future Hall of Famer, but as his career wound down and he was no longer performing at an All-Star level, he wasn't making the team based on what he'd done in the past, and what he'd meant to the league. Then again, had he not retired with one season left his contract, or had he announced his retirement in a similar manner to Kobe, perhaps it would've been considered, too.

I'm not as cynical towards the All-Star game as a lot of people seem to be, and despite its problems, I do think it still has a prestige and tradition to uphold. Within that tradition though, there's room for sentiment, and tributes. If Kobe does get named to the All-Star team, I for one won't pout and declare it RUINED FOREVER!, but it's going to stand out as a very generous "legacy" selection. When it comes down to it, I feel the spot should go to someone more deserving of it based on their play right now, but if it comes to pass, so be it. As I said, I do believe there is room for sentiment in the All-Star festivities. It'd be really on the nose if they gave him the All-Star MVP after a terrible game, though.

Fans will surely vote him even though his performance downright sucks right now though his shooting percentage is improving as of late. Even if he doesn't get voted or the coaches never select him on the reserves I see one player giving his spot to Kobe for that proper sending off.

They always make roster space for vets. Last year, most said that at that particular moment, Monta Ellis on the Mavs deserved an all star jersey more than Dirk. But you can't do that, All star weekend is more about fun and customs. Young guys will get their chance eventually

He doesn't deserve it, he's playing like garbage.

But fuck me if I won't vote for the guy.

Deserves to be there or not....Silver said "So, we’ll see what the fans and the coaches decide, and then, we’ll go from there.” I hope they don't do some halftime tribute like they did with Michael Jordan. Showing clips of all the abilities he doesn't have anymore, etc. He'll probably get booed.

Ahh nice PR move by Silver for Kobe Bryant. Kobe *deserves the recognition, that's for sure.

Kobe obviously doesn't deserve to be an all star. But fans deserve him. It's his last fucking season guys. I will vote for Wade for the same reason. They *deserve it not for this year's performance but for the fans. Heck I don't care if Kobe starts, he probably deserves MJ treatment by Vince Carter just for the sake of fame and fandom.

The All-Star Game is for the fans. Let them see what they want to see.

He'll probably get booed.

Toronto booing Kobe? After those game winners against them and the infamous 81 points he dropped against them. I think not.

Jeff Van Gundy said in yesterday's game that if Kobe's gonna be an all-star, it shouldn't be at the expense of another deserving player.

Ahh nice PR move by Silver for Kobe Bryant. Kobe *deserves the recognition, that's for sure.

Kobe obviously doesn't deserve to be an all star. But fans deserve him. It's his last fucking season guys. I will vote for Wade for the same reason. They *deserve it not for this year's performance but for the fans. Heck I don't care if Kobe starts, he probably deserves MJ treatment by Vince Carter just for the sake of fame and fandom.

Wade still plays like an all-star, though. Do you mean you will vote for him in the future when he is broke down like Kobe?

The Jordan thing was shitty. Carter basically got bullied out of his starting spot, and Jordan should have put the kibosh on all that crap.

Kobe should insist on coming off the bench if the coaches are stupid enough to put him on the team.

If the fans vote him in, I have no problem with it, as I've stated before I think the fans should vote for the entire team.

I think they should create a new all star selection possibility, and Kolbe could set the precedent. That possibility could be called "career achievement" all star or something. They could use this to honor players who have been productive throughout their career, but may not be putting up career numbers.

So it would be like an honorary all star selection. They could add someone like KG, and Vince Carter for example. They could nullify these players votes so players who are having an all star year but are receiving less votes than these players to have a shot at an all star selection. The honorary players could have a choice whether to play in the game, but not at the expense of another player.

If nothing else, expanding the rosters to 13 players would help; that's what the active roster is these days, so they might as well make that change. You could even expand it to 15, which would definitely allow for sentimental/tribute selections, and cut down on the annual snubs.

The Jordan thing was shitty. Carter basically got bullied out of his starting spot, and Jordan should have put the kibosh on all that crap.

I don't think it was inappropriate that Carter stepped aside, but the way it came about...yeah, bullied probably is an apt term here. I think the problem is that Doug Collins and Tim Hardaway set precedents when they stepped aside for John Havlicek and Magic Johnson respectively. Both were respectful gestures, but perhaps unintentionally set a precedent of "Yeah, you really should offer up your starting spot in those situations", which is well-intentioned, but not necessarily fair to expect it of everyone, every single time. Carter's initial refusal combined with the fact he'd been injured much of the season didn't endear him to anyone, but it wasn't exactly fair to him either.

i agree with the sentiment of the coaches selecting him/fans vote him in, let it be

the jordan thing was kind of funny. players like paul pierce were pissed they didn't get to play cuz of jordan. shame on the west for not lying down lol. at least it wasn't a semi charity thing like Magic when he was on the all star team even though he was retired.

someone like bryant deserves something but i'm not sure what the "right" way to do it is during the all star weekend.

But seriously though, shame on Jermaine O'Neal for committing that silly foul on Kobe.

Wade still plays like an all-star, though. Do you mean you will vote for him in the future when he is broke down like Kobe?

I think I probably will. As a fan I enjoy watching him playing so why not.

One thing Kobe has got going this year is, whichever arena he goes to, arena gets completely sold out. I heard from LAL fans complaining about the team sitting out Kobe without notice last year only to attend to watch Kobe-less Lakers getting beat down. People still tune in and attend live games just to watch Kobe.

For me, that guy just happens to be Wade not Kobe.

Would I mind watching him play in the game? Nope. Do I want him to get the spot over players that actually deserve the nod? Definitely not.

I think they should create a new all star selection possibility, and Kolbe could set the precedent. That possibility could be called "career achievement" all star or something. They could use this to honor players who have been productive throughout their career, but may not be putting up career numbers.

So it would be like an honorary all star selection. They could add someone like KG, and Vince Carter for example. They could nullify these players votes so players who are having an all star year but are receiving less votes than these players to have a shot at an all star selection. The honorary players could have a choice whether to play in the game, but not at the expense of another player.

Why don't they just add another game to all-star weekend exclusively for players over 32 years old? Kind of like a reverse rookie challenge.

It would keep the all-star game for truly deserving players, whilst also allowing the fans to see their favourite veteran players compete.

imo kobe belongs on the all star team. talents like him are so rare that they fully deserve one last dance at the end of their career.

Why don't they just add another game to all-star weekend exclusively for players over 32 years old? Kind of like a reverse rookie challenge.

It would keep the all-star game for truly deserving players, whilst also allowing the fans to see their favourite veteran players compete.

Not quite the same concept as it was all retired players, but they actually used to have a Legends game at the All-Star Weekend, which they ended in favour of the rookie game. It could be a little depressing to watch though, and resulted in a few injuries towards the end there.

imo kobe belongs on the all star team. talents like him are so rare that they fully deserve one last dance at the end of their career.

Naw. I don't believe he deserves a free pass in terms of talent level but popularity wise I would say he does.