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5 Reasons Why Carmelo Anthony Shouldn’t Be An NBA All-Star Starter

5 Reasons Why Anthony Shouldn't Be NBA ASG Starter

Carmelo Anthony
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It is not a likely scenario since the event is set in New York this season, but Carmelo Anthony should not be an Eastern Conference NBA All-Star Game starter. I'm sure the fans will vote him in anyway, but it never hurts to try and campaign for more deserving players. Here are five reasons to cast your ballot elsewhere.

5. Points Are Not Everything

Carmelo Anthony NBA Knicks
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5. Points Are Not Everything

Carmelo Anthony NBA Knicks
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Anthony is averaging a tidy 23.9 PPG as of Thursday morning, and even though the numbers are impressive, they do not warrant selection to the team as a starter. My starting forward spots would go to LeBron James and Pau Gasol.

4. He Might Not Play

Anthony, Wade and Bosh at NBA Store
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4. He Might Not Play

Anthony, Wade and Bosh at NBA Store
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If he is not going to play because of knee issues, then it is probably better for him to be voted in as a reserve by coaches. I know fans want to see their hometown star out on the floor, but he will most likely only play around 20 minutes for maintenance. Would it be so terrible if that playing time came off the bench?

3. Team Record Should Matter

Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden
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3. Team Record Should Matter

Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden
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The Knicks are an embarrassing 5-29 so far this season, and Anthony claims things could be even worse if not for the coaching of Derek Fisher. I still think the SF should get selected, but it just seems backwards to reward losing of that magnitude. Is anyone campaigning for players on the Philadelphia 76ers? I think not.

2. Free Throws Measure Aggressiveness

Carmelo Anthony shoots a free throw
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

2. Free Throws Measure Aggressiveness

Carmelo Anthony shoots a free throw
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony is averaging the lowest number of free throw attempts per game (5.6) in his entire career, and this tells me that he is not being as aggressive. He probably fears further injury to his knee during a pointless season.

1. Pau Gasol Deserves a Reward

Pau Gasol Triple Threat
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1. Pau Gasol Deserves a Reward

Pau Gasol Triple Threat
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol has been a revelation for the Chicago Bulls, and fans are seeing how the power forward was completely misused during his final years with Los Angeles. Let Melo come off the bench and score 30 as the home crowd cheers him on, but give Gasol the credit he deserves with some All-Star love.

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