How Far Does Popularity Get You In Sports?

The NBA all star game, a sports spectacle home to some of the greatest games in history. Just kidding, most of it is a laugh riot. But every person selected feels that it is a great honor to represent their team, conference, and the NBA as a whole as one of the best players of that season. But it seems more and more like the same game over and over again. Maybe it's because year in and year out, the same exact players are the most productive. Or maybe it's rigged. No I'm not talking about a conspiracy by the NBA to exclude certain players. But, rather a stubbornness by the voters, the diligent fans of the game of basketball. 

Let's take a look at Kobe Bryant shall we? Most everybody who knows anything about sports is familiar with him. He's one of the greatest basketball players of all time, earns nearly hundreds of millions of dollars in endorsements each season. His production up to the age of 34 was impecable. This year, however, Bryant's production has been extremely limited due to injuries, having played in only 6 games, he is averaging 13.8 points per game. Which is 12 points lower than his career mark. Despite this, Bryant has received more votes than almost every player in the Western Conference. It's certainly not because his opponents aren't talented and worthy. In fact, in a recent interview, Bryant pleaded, "my advice would be to vote for some of these younger players," coining Portland's guard Damian Lillard several times, who is a more than deserving candidate.

There are many players who get snubbed from the all-star game, and I believe that American values plays a major role in who gets this kind of exposure. Many factors could play into this, like where the team is located. If it isn't a major market, it's more difficult to be discovered by the American public. Even salary could play a part. If you aren't even the highest paid player on your team, then how could you be one of the best players in the league? It has turned into a popularity contest. The most famous players will always find a way in, even if they are undeserving.