Ratto: Change imminent after NBA All-Star snubs

Feb. 3, 2011RATTO ARCHIVERay RattoCSNBayArea.com

You may think that when the NBA expands its All-Star teams, probably next year, it will be because of Monta Ellis.It wont. Itll be because of Kevin Love.Someone will notice that the last player to average 21 points and 15 rebounds was Moses Malone in 1983. Someone will notice that Steve Nash and Tony Parker didnt make it, too, and even a few folks will notice Ellis.RELATED: Warriors' Ellis snubbed from All-Star game
But this much is sure. Even though the coaches pick the reserves, and even though they cant vote for their own players, the league (read: D. Joel Stern) will notice that Loves numbers qualify him for some measure of notice other than his nightly attaboy from Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis.Were not saying the NBA is wrong to use the system they use. In fact, its exclusivity is one of the things that make its All-Star game the least in need of change. The players want to be named to the team, and they even want to play in it.What is more, there is no player whom we can honestly say screwed Love out of his place, which is going to lead someone in the league office (read: D. Joel Stern) to decide that the issue here is not enough spots to fit all the worthiesas opposed to the NFL and MLB All-Star processes, which is about not enough worthies to fit all the spots.So bet on the system changingright after the CBA is renegotiated.As for Ellis, hes a Warrior. And the Warriors just broke the NBA, MLB, NFL and NBA record for most consecutive years without an All-Star14. The old record was set by the Indiana Pacers, who went 13 years between Don Buse and Billy Knight in 1977 and Reggie Miller in 1990.Hey, maybe thats worth a banner in the rafters. Its not like theyre running out of room up there.What's on your mind? Email Ray and let him know. He may use it in his Mailbag.