First things first…Big shout out to Queen Latifah, for just being scrumtiously good-looking. No question regarding who I’m rooting for in the Slam Dunk competition…Jomario Moon all the way baby!!! I laughed heavily when he told the Toronto reporters that he’s just going to wing it…that is absolute bull, ha-ha… reverse-psychology kids, try it sometime, it works!! Jomario is loving every minute of the lime-light and if he wins the Dunk Off, it will be the high light of his life. I mean who would actually risk losing an opportunity like this..of putting your name in the history books, eternally.  He better have a few tricks up his sleeves. Actually, he’ll be sleeveless so that wouldn’t add up.  He better have some tricks in his socks or something..Chris Bosh could easily be a starter representing the Eastern Conference. But tough luck this year, as Lebron and Dwight are well-deserving of the starting positions. The you-tube video is very comical, but it wasn’t quite enough to dissuade Lebron-mania.

Since Jose Calderon is a Toronto Raptor, I’ll support him till death. However, I am not appallingly devastated that he didn’t qualify for the 2008 All-star weekend. I tend to think a few steps ahead of the blinded. Just try and consider the following. By the end of this season, Jose will be an restricted-free agent. Meaning the Raptors association must either sign the 26-year old veteran or let some other general manager rack him up. The whole world now knows his capabilities and value to the raptors…so in all likelihood, Toronto will grant Calderon a wealthy contract in order to keep him here in Toronto for many years to come. Now, the exact dollar figures and timing is up in there air, but I will speculate that Brian will luck him up for 4-5years, earning Jose between 10 to 15 mill per year. So, even though he absolutely desires his first all-star birth, and that he’s indisputably worthy of the acknowledgment, it still doesn’t bother me if he sits home, cuddling with his sexy senorita, watching the game on his larger then life big screen TV, because in due course, if he isn’t chosen, the coaches will be doing Toronto an unforeseen favor. Allow me to explain the complications… For example, if Calderon is chosen to represent the East as a reserve, then this summer, his agent would play that card to obtain a wealthier pay day for Jose. So, if he isn’t chosen, that sole decision, by the coaches of course, will provide, more or less, a few million in cap space for Brian Colangelo to play with this summer. Now think about it, what’s more important, the raps’ future, or Jose Calderon’s individual goals. I know the Calderon devotees will feel some resentment towards that statement. But it’s the real. Another thing, when he says to reporters that he doesn’t think about it, that’s complete bull, every athlete dreams for individual accolades. I know I certainly would. In addition to it all, lately he has been consuming overwhelming minutes averaging roughly 40 for every game, and I can see it’s taking its tole. A few more turnovers here and there, nothing ruinous. Anyways.. I’m sure when All-star Weekend arrives, Jose will be sitting home in his lovely wife’s arms, thinking about this summer’s big pay out… So don’t worry, he’s not depressed and on the brink of suicide. All things considered, I’d be happy either way: for the City of Toronto, or for Jose Calderon. Last point: Yet another Toronto Rap will be at All-Star Weekend. I suppose he deserves to be there, if not by sheer talent, then at least to defend his three-point reign of least year…Kapono..I hope he loses..maybe he’ll be stirred to start playing defense.  

Let’s get to the Big Boys..

Starting East: Jason Kidd(G), Dwayne Wade(G), Kevin(F) Garness, Lebron James(F), Dwight Howard(C)

As much as I detest the New Jersy Nets.. Jason Kidd is no question a starter for the East. The guy is solely responsible for NJ not being in the same state the Knicks are in: disastrous and catastrophic. I guess Dwayne Wade belongs there, in terms of entertainment and talent, but in terms of actually deserving it, I feel that his 30 game-missing injury ought to cost him his All-Star privilege. Look at Miami now, only ten wins so far…dismal. Didn’t they win a championship recently? Funny isn’t it?.. I never absorbed that year as valid. I think I speak for many in that I would rather see the Big Diesel (Shaq) participate one last time instead of his teammate.. he wouldn’t fail to entertain, that’s for sure. Also, perhaps Anthony Parker should be looked at as a serious All-Star candidate. I mean the guy is shooting over 50 percent from three, he plays in style, and he is one of the greatest defenders I’ve ever seen. As far as Kevin Garnet is concerned, he was my premature pick for MVP, untill I realized he can’t win it with two amazing players aiding him all year, and I’ll leave it at that. I am also content with Dwighit Howard starting over Bosh, because he simply is a more all-round, influential, dominant force to be reckoned with. Whereas Chris Bosh is more of a finesse, graceful, polished burst of energy. All the same, he certainly deserves to be a reserve. How can I talk about the All star weekend without addressing Lebron James? What can I say? I know, the guy is game changer, and we seen that first-hand in Toronto. His upper body is comparable to one of a body-builder. As much as he is brawny, he is much, much more swift. His explosiveness is out of this world for his size. His soaring ability will have him on posters and highlight reels for many years to come. To round the East off, Lebron James undeniably, indisputably, and with out a doubt, is most deserving of a spot in the 2008 All-Star starting line up…oh did I mention unquestionably?

Starting West: Kobe Bryant(G), Allen Iverson(G), Carmelo Anthony(F), Tim Duncan(F), Yao Ming(C)

I’d very much rather have Cris Paul or Steve and Dirk start ahead of A.I and Melo. I’m becoming quite sick of seeing Kobe Bryant year after year, but no question he deserves to be there, he’s both efficient and entertaining..the Lakers are Western Conference contenders, epecially with grabbing Gasol..look out for the yellow and purple. I’ll never get sick of a 5′11 guard battling wonderfully amongst gigantic brutes. A.I. will always be one of my favourite players, because of his size. On the contrary, I feel his teammate Carmelo, in terms of authenticity, is at best an average player, definitely wouldn’t go as far as voting him in the starting five for the West. His game is completely vague. In his position, I’d rather see Dirk Nowitski or Sean Marion. In terms of bigs, I’ve never been a big fan of Tim Duncan. I mean sure the guy has 4 rings, and is the most fundamentally sound player in the game today. In terms of an all-star entertainment, all he has is that bank shot, and a quick twist in the post, like the truth must be told, he isn’t that pleasurable to watch. Yao Ming: ha-ha…Of course he holds three spots in the top 10 all-time single season all star vote-getters category, and holds the number one spot as well with over 2.5 million votes in 2005. I think it’s safe to assume that at least 2.5 million of those votes came from China. It makes me wonder at times, especially with that new league recently established in China, say if by chance more China-mon come to the Nba, and if they’re nowhereere near all-star caliber, will they be privileged participate in the All-Star game mainly because their immeasurably-populated nation is behind them? It’s nothing to be worried about, just picking my brain. Well it’s obvious that next year Yi len Jien will be an all-star, hopefully he earns and yearns to be.

Thank Goodness the game is in New Orleans. Kanye said it best, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”… All I’m saying is that if george bush shockingly decided to show up…my human-like soul would jump out of my chest and start grooving to ‘Gold Digger”…

The last couple of years, the East has made it interesting. Now, on paper, the West will officially no longer come East to feast. Nevertheless, you know Kobe will try to be the Mvp, as he does every year. It’s a toss up between Kobe and Lebron…Or maybe even Garnett..Possibly Paul..or even Kidd. Who the fuck knows really. I just hope Bargani learns greatly, Bosh eat’s some New Orleans rim, Jomario’s feet transform in to rockets, and for Jason Kapono and him defending his three-point reign.. I hope the rim becomes as wide as Queen Latifah’s waist-size.