Why Isn’t Nate Robinson an NBA All-Star?

This has nothing to do with his ability to jump high, I swear. 

Yes, he is scheduled to participate in the dunk contest this year, an event he won in 2006, but that has nothing to do with my complaint. 

I think he should be on the Eastern Conference roster without a doubt.  

I realize, however, there is plenty of talent on the ballot and it would be understandable if Nate didn’t make the cut. 

But to leave him off the ballot is a joke—an absolute joke. 

To focus the discussion to make my point more clear, let’s just look at the ballot for the Eastern Conference Guards:

Ray Allen, Boston
Gilbert Arenas, Washington
Mike Bibby, Atlanta
**Chauncey Billups, Detroit
Jose Calderon, Toronto
Vince Carter, New Jersey
Jamal Crawford, New York
Raymond Felton, Charlotte
TJ Ford, Indiana
Ben Gordon, Chicago
Richard Hamilton, Detroit
Devin Harris, New Jersey
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
Stephon Marbury, New York
Andre Miller, Philadelphia
Jameer Nelson, Orlando
Anthony Parker, Toronto
Michael Redd, Milwaukee
Jason Richardson, Charlotte
Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee
Rajon Rondo, Boston
Derrick Rose, Chicago
Dwyane Wade, Miami
Mo Williams, Cleveland 

First off, Arenas and Marbury haven’t played in ONE game. How the hell are they on this list?!  Already we have room to add Robinson to the ballot. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of names that belong on this list, like Wade and Joe Johnson—but there are so many questionable names I can’t help but be irritated. 

First let's have a look at Nate Robinson’s stats. He is averaging just over 17 points, four rebounds, four asssists, and 1.5 steals per game. He shoots three-pointers at about a 38 percent clip.

His minutes have increased since the Jamal Crawford trade—and so has his production, with his points per game during the month of December jumping to almost 22. 

Those numbers may not be Dwyane Wade-ish or even Devin Harris-like, but they are certainly worthy. 

Now, let’s compare his stuff to the lists from the top down and see exactly where Nate fits in. 

1. He’s definitely above Arenas, who hasn’t played yet.
2. Billups now plays in the Western Conference.
3. You could argue it’s a tie with Calderon, who is a pure PG and his assists show it—but Robinson is more of a scorer—which is apparent in his 22 PPG in December.
4. Crawford is now in the West as well.
5. Felton doesn’t even belong on the list, he is a slightly above average player on a bad team with no standout qualities—solid PG, but no All-Star.
6. Marbury hasn’t played in a game.
7. Anthony Parker? Are you kidding?  He doesn’t even average double digits.
8. Ridnour, same situation as Felton.

You could make a few more arguments against players like Hamilton (almost identical stats as Nate) or TJ Ford.  You could also argue for the list of those eight players, but no matter who you are, you have to admit at least five slots on the ballot should be open to other players—and you can’t tell me one of them shouldn’t be Robinson.

Not to mention the thing I said I wouldn’t mention, but c’mon! He’s 5’9” with a vertical leap that doesn’t look human. If the NBA is looking for ways to get fans and bring excitement to the game how about letting a former Slam Dunk Champion play in the All-Star Game.

I think it’s quite clear, my friends, Nate Robinson is an NBA All-Star.

And I know plenty of you out there feel like your team’s best player isn’t getting any love, tell me who else got left off the ballot and we can make our own team?