The weekend festivities are finally complete with an outstanding Rookie Challenge, the old-timers Shooting Stars with a puffy Bill Laimbeer, a game of H-O-R-S-E, a boring Skills Challenge, a lackluster no personality 3-Point Shootout, a Dunk Contest that saw Superman defeated, and finally an outstand dance with Shaq and the Jabbawockeez … errr, I mean an outstanding All-Star game.  So, Shaq’s dance was only overshadowed by Shaq’s give-and-go that began with a pretty pass through the legs of Superman (what a rough weekend for the superhero).

To put a cherry on the top of this cupcake, I will select the five greatest Western Conference all-stars to ever lace them up in the game reserved for the elite.  The criteria for my choices are:  MVPs, multiple appearances, and the intangibles they brought to the game.  Finally, I picked one, and only one, for each position that played during my era (1982-present).  Included under my pick explanations are the additional players I considered, but ultimately left on the playground.

Point Guard:  John Stockton (Utah Jazz)

In a fashion contest, John Stockton would surely be beat solely on his disturbing daisy-dukes.  Whenever Stockton took the court it brought fear into the lives of two people:  the opposing team’s point guard, and the guy in charge of the blurring device for television as Stockton’s shorts barely inched passed his inner thigh.

When it came to the game, Stockton was a nasty point guard.  His instincts were amazing and they were complimented by his abilities to sneak a pass through a plethora of hands to a streaking teammate under the basket.  It was not only his ability to provide scoring opportunities for his teammates, but also his ability to hit you with multiple cheap shots before you could react and before the refs could see.

Stockton was a 10-time all-star (1989-1997, 2000) and won the MVP in 1993.  In his 10 games, Stockton averaged 7 points, 7 assists, and 3 turnovers.  These numbers are not amazing by most standards, but Stockton seemed to be involved in every play in whatever game he was involved, from setting screens on big men to pestering everyone with a different looking jersey than he.  It is the intangibles that place John Stockton on this list.

Other Considerations:  None

Shooting Guard:  Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

Kobe has a one-word vocabulary … SHOOT!  He is never shy about shooting and averages 16 shots every all-star game.

He is an 11-time all-star (1998, 2000-2009) and an all-star MVP three times (2002, 2007, 2009).  Kobe averages 20 ppg., 5 reb., 5 ast., and 3 stl., and like Jordan, it seems like he could go off every time he gets his little greedy hands on the ball.

Kobe will break Michael Jordan’s all-time scoring record by one, quite possibly next year with a 58-point outburst.  Kobe’s whole life has been focused on besting Jordan by one, thus Kobe’s change in jersey number to “24″; and you thought he was a Keefer fan.

Other Considerations: None

Small Forward:  Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers)

A la 1980, Magic is called on to play outside his normal point guard position.  He played all five positions in the 1980 Finals, so why can’t he step in and play my small forward.  Well, he can … he’s Magic.

Magic was a 12-time all-star (1980, 1982-1992) and won the MVP two times (1990, 1992).  In 1992 after he discovered he was HIV positive, he retired, but the fans voted him to the all-star game anyway.  Words could not to justice describing the events leading up to the game, including how his teammates spoke out against his participation in the game.  He not only won the hearts of the fans and players, but he put on a show for all-time.  This was the best all-star moment of all time.

Other Considerations: None

Power Forward:  Karl Malone (Utah Jazz)

It pains me to place Karl Malone anywhere near my top five.  There is only one person I hate more than John Stockton … yep, his truck driving, aids fearing, muscle head teammate, Karl Malone.

Malone’s power game would begin when he fired up his 18-wheeler and rumble it down to the arena.  At the all-star game he averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds during his 14-time all-star game appearances.  He won the MVP of the all-star game two times (1989, 1993).

I would say more, but I am beginning to get sick.

Other Considerations: None

Center:  Shaquille O’Neil (Los Angeles Lakers/Phoenix Suns)

Rounding out my five is the overweight and overly dramatic, Shaquille O’Neil (15-time All-star, 3-time MVP).  O’Neil averages 15 ppg., 8 reb., and 1 block in Western Conference colors.  Those numbers are respectable, and since the all-star game is not a “big-man’s” game, I believe Shaq should be the man in the middle.

Shaq’s intangibles set him apart from any other player in the game.  This year’s introduction of Shaq puts him in the top of the all-time all-star players.

Other Considerations:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Los Angeles Lakers (19-time All-star, no MVPs)

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As I look over my list, I see a great all-star team that I would love to hate.  A midget with short-shorts, a chuck-it-up spoiled brat, and a meathead trucker top the list of my most hated.  Yet, the redeeming value of this team is Magic’s ability to do everything and Shaqawockeez ability to bust a move like me at my eighth grade dance.

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J.David has never won an award for his writing, but he is a former collegiate athlete for a small college where everyone makes the team.Currently, he is a grad student at the University of Southern California studying the archaic form called, Print Journalism.J.David points to the Bad Boys of the Pistons’ Dynasty as the birth of his love for NBA basketball, and the Bad Boys of the Pistons’ Dynasty as the death of genuine basketball.

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2. ⊚  All-Star Mistake
3. ⊚  Lakers’ Bynum Cursed by Memphis
4. ⊚  What Christmas Day at the Laker/Celtics Game Taught Me
5. ⊚  I Hate Everything About You – The Refs (Part 1)