Blake Griffin: NBA All-Star

Blake Griffin, college basketball's Player of the Year last season, the NBA's number one draft pick, hasn't played a minute of regular season NBA Basketball.

In a logic known only to the league office, Griffin, 20, is listed as one of the choices on the NBA's All-Star ballot.

Surely, the league will say that the ballots had to be determined early and that in order to allow the fans to vote, likely candidates had to be listed.  That's probably true.

However, as a fan, one wonders about the integrity of The Game when a man whose only professional action was the Las Vegas Summer League and the NBA preseason.

Based on those ephemeral performances, Griffin was a likely candidate.  However, you would think the league would allow for a little action before listing players on the All-Star ballot.  

Consequently, it's entirely possible that someone who hasn't even been a factor, in an actual sense, could end up as the starting power forward for the Western Conference All-Stars.

That's the point.

Shouldn't the NBA All-Star Game be a showcase for the NBA's best talent as well as its biggest names?

So, I have an idea.  An idea that appeals to me as a Clippers fan as well as an idea for a purist who loves the game.

VOTE Blake Griffin as the starting power forward for the Western Conference.
Wouldn't it be ironic that the first Clipper starting All-Star would be a player who hasn't played?  Something about that appeals to me.

If it appeals to you too, then text "Blake Griffin" to MYNBA (69622).  Regular text message charges will apply.  Or go to http://www.nba.com/allstar2009 and vote for Griffin there.

Excuse me while I go vote.