Kobe Bryant Isn’t An All-Star

The 2016 NBA All-Star Game will feature Kobe Bryant for a 17th straight season and it’s utterly tragic.

Let me start this off by saying, I fully understand what kind of stardom the Los Angeles Lakers front man commands. Kobe Bryant has Star Wars-like pull among his devoted and often cult-like followers. He’s an icon, a prime-time performer, and the biggest name of our generation.

I’ll also add, it’s all earned, the praise and admiration are warranted. If you’re a disciple of Michael Jordan, an acolyte of LeBron James, or a superfan of any other player you can still appreciate just how good Bryant was, and how long he did it for. The problem is, he isn’t doing it any more.

There are two trains of thought in regards to the All-Star Game. The first, “the game is for the fans and if they want Bryant they should get Bryant.” The second, “The game is supposed to be a showcase of the leagues best talent, the best 24 guys should play.” You’re entitled to back either side, I fall in the camp of the latter.

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I realize I’m outvoted, I realize many of you want to see Bryant in this game, but I feel the other side needs to be represented.

A look at the voting thus far:

The reigning MVP is 336,329 votes behind Mr. Bryant. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is having a historic season, a season for the ages, and somehow he trails the ghost of Bryant’s past.

Many a fan will tell you the All-Star Game is about the fans, that it doesn’t matter if Bryant takes a spot one more year, but I’m telling you, you’re wrong. These players care, some of them care enough to write a letter upon being rejected from the game. For teams who miss the playoffs year after year, having an All-Star in the game is quite possibly the highlight of the season.

That one player who makes the All-Star game during a woeful, heart-wrenching season, is the beacon of hope for a better tomorrow.

The NBA All-Star Game is a coming-out party, a reward, a celebration of hard work and fan admiration. You best believe these players care, and that the fan bases of a snubbed Damian Lillard, Derrick Favors, or DeMarcus Cousins will boo emphatically.

Bryant has always been a warrior, a soldier, a craftsman committed to the trade. It’s the most inspirational thing about him, his pure joy and dedication to the game set him apart his whole career. So, are we sure Bryant even wants to be in the All-Star game? Do we want to remember this broken Bryant playing well below the level we are accustomed to, does he?

Please don’t think me a “hater;” I don’t want Bryant forced out, but I do believe in the best-guy-should-play mentality, that handouts aren’t an admirable thing. Presumptuous, but I believe Mr. Bryant would feel the same way. If a young Bryant was held out of an All-Star Game so a legend could go for one more run, would he have endorsed that decision?

Here’s another angle, we’ve already given Bryant a handout, he already got the fan-vote advantage when his play didn’t warrant it. His play hasn’t warranted an All-Star appearance since 2012-13, and yet he has been voted in each of the prior two seasons. In 2014 Bryant told the Associated Press:

"“Even though there’s so much respect that comes from me to be able to play for the fans, I’d much rather see the young guys go out there and play in the game. They’ve obviously put the work in to be there that weekend, so I’d much rather see them go in there and participate.”"

However, the fans still voted him in. What’s changed?

Bryant might be the most competitive player to ever lace ’em up and he’s definitely one of the hardest workers to ever play the game. I think if anyone understands what it means for a young guy, or first-time All-Star to play in this game, it’d be him.

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Bryant has started an NBA record 14 All-Star games, he’s left nothing on the table. There’s no shame in watching the legend ride off into the sunset, we don’t have to force an unnatural elongated run. At least, not in the opinion of this fan.