After finally embracing his switch to center for the Heat, Chris Bosh acknowledged that it would “be kind of cool” to start at that position for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star game. Bosh has made the team seven times, but only once as a starter.
Now the league has changed the rules.
The NBA, quite appropriately considering the evolution of the game, has chosen not to include a “center” on either ballot. Instead, fans will choose three frontcourt players per conference.
Does this give Bosh a better shot to start?
Not necessarily.
Andrew Bynum, who started at center for the West last season, is still eligible to be chosen as one of the three frontcourt players in the East. LeBron James is getting one frontcourt spot.
And here was the voting for forward last season:
Forwards: LeBron James (Mia) 1,360,680; Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 1,041,290; Amar’e Stoudemire (NYK) 383,734; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 367,914; Chris Bosh (Mia) 324,605; Luol Deng (Chi) 276,205; Paul Pierce (Bos) 215,020; Carlos Boozer (Chi) 175,828; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 152,362; Josh Smith (Atl) 119,638.
That’s a lot of ground to make up on Anthony, and that’s not happening with the latter based in New York. And even if Bynum doesn’t get as many punches, and Stoudemire is slow to return from his latest injury, Garnett remains productive and productive.
