Kyle Lowry: All-Star Snub Likely

Published: 13^th Jan 12 5:47 pm

by Jordan Fries
jfreeze

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Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Four point guards sit atop Kyle Lowry in the current voting for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida. He is unlikely to surpass any of them despite deserving the honor. His best chance is perhaps a nod from the coaches to participate as a Western Conference reserve, as Lowry’s game is predicated on the hustle and intangibles that coaches love and statistics don’t necessarily measure.

As I’ve previously mentioned, Lowry is the unquestioned glue to the Rockets formula for success and his statistics this season are the best of his career; he entered 2011-12 as the undisputed starter for the first time in his NBA life. He is averaging 15 points, nine assists, and nearly seven rebounds per game. Those numbers aren’t just comparable to, but also better than leading point vote getter Chris Paul. Lowry is averaging more assists and five more rebounds, and only averages a single point less than the more-heralded Paul. However, the new maestro in charge of orchestrating Lob City is widely considering to be the NBA’s best point guard, and in this media-driven age, perception is king.

Of course, All-Star voting is based more off ticket sales, fan interest, and name brand players than actually deserving candidates. Houston fans know this as well as anyone. Yao Ming received record, astronomical numbers of votes before he had earned them due to China’s rabid and supportive population. But Lowry appears to be the victim of a lack of name recognition. It doesn’t help that his team is currently 3-7, without superstars, and flying firmly under the NBA hype radar.

If one looks at the candidates above Lowry, including the aforementioned Paul, it’s clear that Houston’s leading man deserves a more a serious look than he is getting. Ricky Rubio, the boyish phenomenon from Spain who inspired something close to Bieber Fever upon his American landing, isn’t even starting for Rick Adelman’s new Timberwolves. Yet he is receiving over 40,000 more votes than Lowry. Steve Nash is averaging far less rebounds and three points per game less than Lowry, and only one more assist more. His team, the rapidly dwindling Phoenix Suns, and growing age (he’s almost 37) have something to do with the drop in statistical production, but the two-time MVP is clearly skating by off name value as his team and production continue to tumble.

The only candidate ahead of Lowry who may be more deserving — if all biases are cleared — is Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is the point guard for the best team in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and although he plays an at-times contentious Robin to Kevin Durant’s Batman, his importance to the team cannot be understated. With back-up Eric Maynor’s season-ending knee injury, Westbrook is the only legitimate point on OKC’s roster, and the only All-Star candidate who can match the bulky Lowry in rebounding mettle. Westbrook averages less assists than Lowry, but he is more of a scoring guard and it shows in the stats (19 points per game).

So, although Lowry is putting up numbers like a young Jason Kidd, Houston isn’t generating enough buzz for anyone to consider handing him an All-Star bid over players with much greater popularity. Look for him to garner a Most Improved Player award at the end of the season instead.