Is Shaq an All-Star?
His numbers this season - the worst of his Hall of Fame career - certainly don’t make him an All-Star. But according to some, namely Heat head coach Pat Riley, Shaq deserves an invite to the big game in New Orleans next month for two reasons: His past accomplishments and his singular ability to entertain.
‘’What other centers in the Eastern Conference are more deserving? I don’t know,'’ Heat coach Pat Riley said.
‘’That’s what the All-Star game is about — it’s not about anything else other than [fan entertainment] and something like this for Shaquille,'’ Riley said, in full stump mode. “I think he deserves it.'’
I wouldn’t be upset if the coaches voted O’Neal onto the team (he’s done enough for the League throughout his career to deserve it), but I do think Riley’s assertion that Shaq’s entertainment value should be enough to get him in is a tad ridiculous.
What, is O’Neal there solely to breakdance with Dwight and LeBron during the Saturday practice? Actually, you know what, that’s not such a bad idea.
114 Responses to “Is Shaq an All-Star?”
Jan.14 at 10:03 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
point
Jan.14 at 10:07 am
white hot eboy says:
No. Sorry Shaq.
Jan.14 at 10:10 am
Logan says:
its just that there is no one else in the East…actually Shaq should just rest his fat ass on all star weekend…that would go a long way in helping the Heat rather than kissing T-Mac..
Jan.14 at 10:12 am
Logan says:
Actually Brendan Haywood is having a good year and is one of the reasons the Wizards are enjoying a good patch without Agent Zero…
Jan.14 at 10:15 am
Cheryl says:
C’mon, All Star weekend would be totally off without Shaq’s presence, y’all know that. I won’t say boring, but the guy does make it fun to watch and I know fun for the players to party with. He better be there or I’ll boycott!
Jan.14 at 10:15 am
Keith says:
Riles has a point in that Shaq IS entertaining.
Jan.14 at 10:16 am
Logan says:
….and I should not type ‘actually’ again for a whole day, starting now..
Jan.14 at 10:16 am
Keith says:
Yeah, he’s about as fun as zipping your c*ck in your trousers.
Jan.14 at 10:25 am
white hot eboy says:
Wow, Keith, THAT’S REALLY unfun.
Jan.14 at 10:30 am
Chris O says:
Alonzo’s had a better year than Shaq. How about the NBA flies him to NO for halftime entertainment?
Jan.14 at 10:34 am
Kevin says:
the Miami Heat are the NBA’s 2nd biggest joke.. i can’t believe half the quotes that come out of that camp.. what a sh*tty time to be a basketball fan.
Jan.14 at 10:35 am
Kevin says:
no wonder people get jaded and start following college hoops. i’m getting close to that.
Jan.14 at 10:37 am
Paps says:
He’s as deserving as Jordan in his final years with the Wiz.
Jan.14 at 10:39 am
white hot eboy says:
Kevin, next season will be better. Believe.
Jan.14 at 10:41 am
Bryan says:
I’m also an all-star.
Jan.14 at 10:48 am
Keith says:
Next seaons will be better for who? Shaq? The fans? Lil Kim? Paris Hilton? Seal?
Jan.14 at 10:49 am
Jukai says:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he’s just as good as all the other non-Dwight centers in the East.
Jan.14 at 10:50 am
Jukai says:
I mean, seriously, would you rather see Ilgauskas or Perkins in there?
Jan.14 at 10:50 am
Kevin says:
Eboy, do you think Shaq is going to chill for the rest of the year after “trying to overcome his hip injury” for about 5 games, or am i the only pessimist?
Jan.14 at 10:54 am
zion says:
if only the miami heat could just do a dance off with the opposing instead of playing ball, then maybe their season would be entirely different considering they have shaq on their team
Jan.14 at 11:02 am
white hot eboy says:
Kevin, I think Shaq will play about 70% of the remainder of the games. The shut down switch may be moved to Mr. Wade for the long haul. And Jukai, I think Sheed is the other “center” in the East who will get the nod.
Jan.14 at 11:11 am
Rasheedionics says:
ummmm… isn’t Dwight Howard a center who plays on the East?
Jan.14 at 11:15 am
white hot eboy says:
Sheed, he’s the starter.
Jan.14 at 11:35 am
Kiyan says:
Who gives a sh*t about Shaq? The Knicks spanked the Pistons???
Jan.14 at 11:57 am
Tariq says:
Shaq does not deserve to be an all-star. However, I wouldn’t be mad if he made it.
Jan.14 at 11:58 am
Sesa says:
Who else qualified as all-star center besides Shaq and Howard?
Ilgauskas?
Jan.14 at 12:04 pm
Emry says:
Eboy: 2 Heat questions for ya… I have my fantasy sources but I know you’re up on it… When is Shaq going to come back? Will it really be Wednesday? Also, how healthy is J Will’s knee?
Jan.14 at 12:10 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shaq is in the lineup Wednesday, Emry. After that, if his hip’s not holding up, I doubt he last’s more than 10-12 games. J-Will is not so wobbly at this point. In his last two games he’s looked pretty good and he looks like he’s aware he’s going to be moved and trying to put on a good show for his next employer. His quickness is there, though.
Jan.14 at 12:11 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
They should just play Rasheed as the backup C
Jan.14 at 12:46 pm
Niinnnjaaaa!! says:
send Bosh as backup center to Howard. Srew Shaq
Jan.14 at 1:03 pm
Stewie Griffin says:
Shaq doesn’t deserve it. His time is gone, and should it only be for the sake of his legacy he should retire. Rasheed must the one to backup Dwight. Hell, Okafor has better numbers than Shaq does and his team has a better record. So does Jermaine. It’s really no brainer…Oh, Chuck wasn’t all-star in his last couple of seasons too
Jan.14 at 1:05 pm
Miguel Ferreira says:
I think he does not deserve this for his season, although he is one of the best centers ever
Jan.14 at 1:15 pm
RV says:
i’d rather see ZO voted in as a write in, at least he actually tried this year…
Jan.14 at 1:16 pm
Dale Wittig says:
Rasheed Wallace is listed as a center on the ballot. I’d rather see Rasheed than Shaq any day. But the truth of the matter is the all-star weekend is just a big phony public relations event, about as exciting as watching a stock-broker convention.
Jan.14 at 1:27 pm
d.Y. says:
If they vote Shaq in, the All Star game might turn into some sort of popularity contest…
Jan.14 at 1:58 pm
Co Co says:
Its ridiculous to give him a roster spot because he’s entertaining. How about they make him a sideline reporter or guest analyst alongside Charles and the crew if they want him there. He should not be wearing a uniform for the East.
Jan.14 at 2:24 pm
white hot eboy says:
Not a bad idea, Co Co.
Jan.14 at 2:24 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
There are certain players who should be All-Stars until they retire. Michael Jordan was certainly one of them. So is Allen Iverson. And, like it or not, so is Shaq. If there were obvious other choices at center in the East, maybe I’d feel differently. But there aren’t.
Jan.14 at 2:26 pm
Co Co says:
Yeah I’d agree with that Russ if Shaq were actually playing. He is not so he shouldn’t be an All Star based on that alone
Jan.14 at 2:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The thing is, until they remove the voting from the fans, All-Star will always be a popularity contest first. And like it or not, Shaq is still hugely popular. How many guys get voted onto the team every year after only playing in a handful of games? (Too many, but that’s besides the point.) Heck, Magic played in an All-Star game when he wasn’t even in the LEAGUE (extreme circumstances, obviously, but still). Let’s face it, All-Star selections don’t mean all that much anymore. And the most important thing, to me, is, would the All-Star Game be more fun with Shaq in it? I think so. Would someone obviously more deserving be left out? I don’t think so. (Brendan Haywood? Kendrick Perkins? All-Stars? Really?) I’d love to see Shaq do his goofy crossover in the midseason classic just one more time.
Jan.14 at 2:32 pm
white hot eboy says:
Co Co, it’s not like he’s out for the season. He’ll play this week. The question is for how many more games though. He’s only missed 7 games, I think.
Jan.14 at 2:33 pm
white hot eboy says:
I’d rather see Shaq and D-Howitzer have another dance battle, but that’s just me.
Jan.14 at 2:39 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m pretty sure Grant Hill (among others) has been voted an All-Star starter while not playing a single game. Naming Zo to the squad would be a nice gesture, but I think he’d be too proud to accept it. And I mean that in a respectful way, although I haven’t agreed with many of his decisions in recent years.
Jan.14 at 2:43 pm
dma says:
eddy curry? z? perkins? collins? al horford? heh
Jan.14 at 2:43 pm
d.Y. says:
I’m all down for all star appearances for greats after they retire, like Magic, but naming a cat an all star as he’s fading reminds us of how great he’s not. This is a weird all star year anyway. Shaq will probably be there, but a lot of writers are leaving AI and hs 26 and 7 off their list.
Jan.14 at 2:46 pm
Co Co says:
If the fans vote him in then fine, but if it’s left up to the coaches he shouldnt’ make it. Its one thing for fans to vote in undeserving players its quite another thing for coaches to do so. That’s all I’m saying. And Eboy I’ll believe he’s playing this week when I see him play.
Jan.14 at 2:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
AI absolutely should be an All-Star. The problem is that there are way too many talented players out West–someone deserving is bound to get left out, unless there’s a whole mess of injuries. There are just too many talented guards. (Please God, let Nash or someone catch T-Mac in the voting so there’s room for one more.)
Jan.14 at 2:53 pm
mrLEE says:
sorry shaq, your all-star time is over
Jan.14 at 2:54 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I just don’t see the reserve center spot in the East being a big deal. Would taking Shaq really ruin someone else’s year? The Cavs are barely at .500 (and LeBron’s having his best season ever). Haywood is maybe the third-best Wizard, and Perkins–beast that he is–might be the Celtics’s WORST starter. Don’t even get me started on Eddy Curry.
Jan.14 at 2:56 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, Sheed?
Jan.14 at 2:58 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
He could make it as a forward or as one of the “position-free” guys. I mean, come on, he’s not even really a center. Is he? Not to mention after yesterday I don’t think ANY Pistons should make the All-Star team. Obviously they need rest more than anything else.
Jan.14 at 3:03 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Although ‘Sheed is the one guy I’d accept making it ahead of the Diesel.
Jan.14 at 3:05 pm
Co Co says:
Yes Russ, it would totally overshadow the year that Illgauskus is having………….
Jan.14 at 3:05 pm
white hot eboy says:
Do the Hawks have a center?
Jan.14 at 3:06 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Looking at the ballot, it’s crazy. Virtually NO Eastern guards deserve to be All-Stars. There’s Jason Kidd, and then there’s, um, no one much. Chauncey? Joe Johnson? Lots of forwards, though: Pierce, Garnett, LeBron, Bosh, Butler…
Jan.14 at 3:07 pm
TADOne says:
I hope no Pistons get voted on (not likely since the guard attrition in the East will make Chauncey and possibly Rip backups). I want them rested and focused on the playoffs. Let Shaq be the backup so Sheed can rest.
Jan.14 at 3:09 pm
TADOne says:
With the low count of good guards in the East, it is a wonder Stephon isn’t tearing up the Eastern Conference. My, how far he has fallen.
Jan.14 at 3:11 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Not that any Knicks will make the squad, but there’s probably seven or eight of them who would be more deserving than Steph at this point. It’s pretty unbelievable.
Jan.14 at 3:13 pm
fatboy says:
SHAQ ON THE ALL-STAR TEAM NOT A CHANCE BECAUSE HE IS ONLY PUTTING UP 14 AND 7. THERE ARE 28 MINUTES IN A GAME AND HE IS ONLY PLAYING 28 SO IF I WAS SHAQ I WOULD BE LIKE T.O. CRY AND THEN RETIRE
Jan.14 at 3:14 pm
TADOne says:
If a Knick makes it, I’m not watching.
Jan.14 at 3:14 pm
white hot eboy says:
David Lee could be a pity entrant.
Jan.14 at 3:15 pm
Co Co says:
ZA ZA PAAAAACHUUUUUULIAAAAAA! EBOY!
Jan.14 at 3:16 pm
d.Y. says:
If a Knick makes it, can the halftime performance be an operatic version of “fire isiah?”
Jan.14 at 3:18 pm
white hot eboy says:
Poor Co Co, so cute, yet so senseless.
Jan.14 at 3:19 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
You know what? I’ve reconsidered. And since Dwyane Wade is apparently gonna get voted on as a starter, there simply can’t be TWO players from the same Godawful squad named to the All-Star team. Sorry, Shaq.
Jan.14 at 3:20 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Zaza Pachulia has about as much a shot of making the team as Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Jan.14 at 3:20 pm
white hot eboy says:
It took you that long to come up to THAT conclusion, Russ? I’d rather see Deshawn and his tattoo than a Heat player in the All-Star game.
Jan.14 at 3:22 pm
Co Co says:
Za Za is the man Eboy and he can dress his a** off. His fashion sense alone should get him voted in! Russ is right, they shouldn’t have 2 players from the Heat on the team.
Jan.14 at 3:22 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I kind of forgot about Dwyane, actually.
Jan.14 at 3:23 pm
TADOne says:
ZaZa Pachulia is the Hawks starting center?! This explains so much.
Jan.14 at 3:24 pm
TADOne says:
If ZaZa worked on his game as much as his wardrobe then maybe he would be a respectable center.
Jan.14 at 3:24 pm
Co Co says:
Nah Tad Al is the starter. Za Za has been in street clothes for every other game
Jan.14 at 3:25 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
They seriously need to either eliminate fan voting entirely or find a way to offset it. Maybe let the top five votegetters in each Conference make the team, but allow the coaches to pick the starters. Something.
Jan.14 at 3:25 pm
white hot eboy says:
Co Co, when you are posting quips in real conversation form, please asterick it or something for those other people who don’t realize you are trying to be funny.
Jan.14 at 3:27 pm
TADOne says:
Oh ok, Co Co. You had me wishing for 7 more inches so that I could run around lost on the court and still get a paycheck.
Jan.14 at 3:29 pm
Co Co says:
I’m all over it eboy. I think that’s a marvelous solution Russ. It will never happen because stern wants to keep the “intimacy” between the fans and the players. I know I’ve grown closer to Antoine Walker by voting for him.
Jan.14 at 3:35 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I feel like the only way they’d eliminate fan voting would be if everyone got together and successfully voted for the most absurd teams possible on the ballot (forget write-ins). Like, say, Larry Hughes, Jason Kapono, Danny Granger, Charlie Villanueva and yes, Zaza Pachulia in the East, and Randy Foye, Antoine Walker, Nick Collison, Luke Walton and Erick Dampier in the West. What would happen then?
Jan.14 at 3:37 pm
white hot eboy says:
What would happen then? A final score somewhere in the 78-72 range, and an overabundance of turnovers and missed threes.
Jan.14 at 3:38 pm
TADOne says:
Eboy, I think its just because we hardly see Co Co post much anymore.
Jan.14 at 3:39 pm
d.Y. says:
The problem is fans vote in the guys they want to see, and then coaches vote in the players they feel are the best. Since getting rid of the fan vote won’t happen, why not just let the fans vote for all 12? Sure, there will be too many Rockets and Bucks for the next few years, but if it pops a rating in China, nifteriffic. Players can stop caring about being all stars and use all nba as their cred instead.
Jan.14 at 3:39 pm
Co Co says:
The problem is that half of the fans who vote don’t know who is deserving. They just go by names. Not to say that the big names arent playing well, but I’d rather see a player whose maybe a notch or 3 below Dwyane Wade as far as skill level, whose team actually has double digit wins and is in contention at this point. Sorry Eboy
Jan.14 at 3:41 pm
white hot eboy says:
I agree wholeheartadly, Co Co. And yes TAD, I miss Co Co around here, and she is gorgeous in the couple of photo’s I’ve seen of her.
Jan.14 at 3:42 pm
white hot eboy says:
Although I can’t believe Dwyane is 6th in the league in scoring, 8th in assists, top three in steals and leading the league in turnovers. That a wild quadruple double.
Jan.14 at 3:42 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
That would be the worst All-Star idea ever. Except for the Slam Dunk Contest wheel, of course.
Jan.14 at 3:43 pm
TADOne says:
Hmmm Eboy, am I going to have to do another inspection like the one we did of Holly?
Jan.14 at 3:44 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
They need to move the Hornets back to the East. Chris Paul would be a stone lock every year.
Jan.14 at 3:44 pm
d.Y. says:
Love that Co Co and I say basically the same thing at the same time, I feel like calling jinx.
Jan.14 at 3:45 pm
TADOne says:
Chris Paul would average a triple double in the East.
Jan.14 at 3:48 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Hawks wouldn’t like it, that’s for sure. Neither would whichever team got dumped into the West.
Jan.14 at 3:48 pm
Co Co says:
Thanks Eboy you’re so charming!
Jan.14 at 3:50 pm
Co Co says:
Chris Paul’s sole purpose is to taunt Hawks fans. I honestly believe that.
Jan.14 at 3:51 pm
white hot eboy says:
Again, Co Co being sarcastic. I can’t win against the SLAM girls.
Jan.14 at 3:51 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Hawks would have picked him if he was 6-8.
Jan.14 at 3:52 pm
TADOne says:
If the Hawks were smart and actually drafted Paul in the first plave, this would be a moot point.
Jan.14 at 3:53 pm
TADOne says:
*place
Jan.14 at 3:53 pm
d.Y. says:
I’ve always thought the Bulls should be in the west. Especially the Jordan teams.
Jan.14 at 3:55 pm
Co Co says:
You really are charming Eboy. Any man who calls me gorgeous is charming. I now know 3 charming guys
Jan.14 at 3:56 pm
white hot eboy says:
As long as one of them isn’t Isiah, I won’t mind the company.
Jan.14 at 3:58 pm
Co Co says:
You know how I feel about Isiah Eboy. Don’t go there!
Jan.14 at 3:58 pm
TADOne says:
Hmmm Co Co has me wanting to see those pics, Eboy. LOL.
Jan.14 at 4:00 pm
Co Co says:
Don’t believe the hype Tad. EBoy is just tryna soften me up.
Jan.14 at 4:05 pm
white hot eboy says:
Another modest one, TAD, these girls think they’re slick. They forget I’m older than dirt and I know all these games. Like Al Pacino said, “I’ve been around, you know, I’ve seen things, I haven’t always been blind”.
Jan.14 at 4:07 pm
Co Co says:
Eboy you act like you’re 50! Stop it!
Jan.14 at 4:07 pm
TADOne says:
Co Co, Holly was modest too. And yes Eboy, I know the games. Women like you to “offer” the comment without having to solicit for it.
Jan.14 at 4:08 pm
TADOne says:
Eboy, join us in the Post Up.
Jan.14 at 4:13 pm
sjeeezy says:
i dont give a damn thing about his entertainment, the allstar game is to reward players who have played as “all stars” in the glory days all star games were taken as playoff games, these days its all flash, which i like too, but come on shaq, theres dwight who’s been dooin good, emeka, kg, and more. shaq, G.O.A.T., but this year, noooo
Jan.14 at 4:22 pm
Gerard Himself says:
I only read Cheryl’s comment, and after that I can only say: I agree. Dude’s entertaining, and makes the all-star gam fun. Hope he’s there.
Jan.14 at 4:57 pm
vmcb says:
There’s not really that many deserving guards in the east. Sure, there’s Kidd, and of course Wade is going to get in, even with the Heat’s record. Other then those two, I like to see the coaches select Joe Johnson and Micheal Redd. As for forwards, you got Lebron and Garnett getting voted in, with Bosh and Pierce or Butler as backups. Dwight is getting the center nod, but I have no clue who I’d choose as his back up.
Jan.14 at 7:58 pm
Art Vandelay says:
If being entertaining is enough to be an All-Star, give Letterman and Leno two Starting Spots RIGHT NOW! It’s about a player’s achievements in the current season, and I am sorry to say that, but even Zydrunas Ilgauskas is better this season…DAMN remember the times there were Pat, Shaq, Zo, AND (later) Mutombo in the east?
Jan.14 at 11:40 pm
Mike says:
Shaq deserves it. START VOTING FOR IVERSON hes putting up sick numbers and they still might choose Chris Paul and Steve Nash or Brandon Roy. T-mac does’nt deserve the starting spot.
Jan.14 at 11:48 pm
LAN says:
well whos gunna replace him, andrew bogut? eddy curry? actually eddy currys a good replacement. eddy curry 4 allstars! and isiah 4 all star coach
Jan.15 at 10:37 am
adam says:
Shaq’s the man always was always will be!
Jan.15 at 12:44 pm
Orlando says:
I dont know who but someone mentioned that if Shaq is voted in it might turn into a popularity contest……aaaaa….what do you think it is now…the starters are voted by the fans….thats obviously popularity….and the reserves are voted in by the coaches….which is again popularity…yes if I guy is having a good year…good numbers good standings there is more chance he gets voted in but by the same token a coach could vote for anyone cuz he likes that guy.
Jan.15 at 8:42 pm
Does the All-Star game even matter any more? says:
Is it me or do people not even care about the All-Star game anymore? I ask this because a few years ago, there were so many players getting like 2 million+ votes. I know that players like Shaq, Kobe, Yao, T-Mac, Iverson and others usually got like 2 million+ votes a piece every year and now it seems like the only players that will even see 2 million+ votes this year is K.G (riding off all the Boston publicity) and maybe Yao out of all the players starting will even reach that, and they may not even see 2 mil. Thats crazy. I don’t think people do much voting anymore. Period. The All-Star games just aren’t what they used to be I guess. Anyway, I would’nt mind seeing Shaq there. People have to remember that the All-Star game is for the fans, they want to see the most popular players there, I understand that there are some othere players that are deserving, but if they are the truth then they will have plenty of chances. People are so busy trying to push Shaq into retirement, but I would like to see as much of Shaq as possible before he leaves, because once he does there will be a huge void left to be filled. Also, to touch down on the A.I thing, if Iverson gets snubbed from the All-Star team after all he has done in Denver (with all due respect to Carmelo, if it wasn’t for Iverson that team would probably be struggling to be .500, that guy leads that team in ppg, minutes played, steals and assist) they will piss off a lot of people, myself included and i’m going to stop watching. Judging by the low-votes this year, the NBA can’t afford to not have one of their most marketable players NOT there. It’s obvious fans want him there every year, he is in 3rd place right now right behind Tracy and would be starting if it wasn’t for Tracy benefiting from being Yaos teammate with the China votes. I agree with everyone else that Tracy should give up his spot, Iverson/Nash/ or Chris Paul (because it is in his city) should start and let that spot go to another more deserving gaurd (Baron Davis or Brandon Roy). But the only person I seen leave Iverson off their list was some guy from ESPN, everyone I have seen has him on it. ANd keep in mind, some sports writers just don’t like A.I period, so they will keep him off the list just to hate anyway, nomatter how deserving he always is thats why I don’t pay attention to what they talk about half the time. I think the players that really need to worry are Baron Davis, Brandon Roy, TP and Ginobli. I like D-Williams but I don’t think he has a shot this year.