Joakim Noah isn't on the All-Star ballot....

On the young season, Noah averages 11.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.3 blocks per game, on 60% and in only 30 minutes per game. The numbers are up across the board, while the turnovers and assists are coming down, and he's even demonstrating a strong left handed hook shot and much improved mid range jumpshot. He's breaking out before ours eyes, and, if such a thing can ever be said about him, Joakim is a pretty sight to witness.

With Dwight Howard a lock to make the All-Star team, Noah's main rivals for the centre spots are Brook Lopez, Al Horford and Andrea Bargnani. Shaquille O'Neal may still retain the popular vote, which makes him a candidate for playing even when his numbers don't, but Dwight led the entire NBA in votes last year and will presumably do so again. And, remember, the fans only vote for the starters.

Lopez is in the process of breaking the hell out and becoming one of the league's best young centres. He averages 18/8/2 on the young season, and is a better player than Noah; if Noah were to make the team ahead of Lopez, that would be an injustice. But given the two team's relevant fortunes - which counts for something, even if it shouldn't - then such an injustice was possible.

Horford's numbers are an entirely comparable 12/11/2, and the myth which states that he's a superior offensive player prevails. It may be enough to get him into the team over Noah, as might the Hawks' superior record.

Andrea Bargnani is becoming of the game's best offensive big men, averaging an efficient 20 points per game on the season as an inside/outside threat. However, his rebounding remains historically terrible, and his defense, while always improving, is still kind of tepid. If you need proof of that, check out what Smilin' Matt Bonner did to him last night.

Noah might not be superior to all of those players, but at the very least, he's highly comparable. He's emerging as a two way player with the ability to change a game, and he's played all star calibre basketball for about 9 months now. However, a foolish oversight has seen his backup get placed on the All-Star ballot ahead of him. And that's cost him some of the recognition that his play has merited. He may still get a coaches vote, and if he maintains his current level of play then we'll certainly have a valid gripe. But his omission here is just sloppy.

Vote Brad, I guess.


(Also of note: Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian combined for 4.3 million votes last year. For differing reasons, neither is on this year's ballot. So they got something right at least.)