By George: Pacers Standout Latest Example of A-A Voter Incompetence
Paul George, Mr. Versatility for Fresno State in 2009-10, was shunned by inept All-American voters before promptly blossoming into an NBA All-Star with the Indiana Pacers. George, returning to the lineup with his stock soaring despite a severe injury, is the latest textbook example of the chronic problem exhibited by low-information A-A voters and their shoddy treatment of mid-major standouts. Is the mess media spending too much time reading a contrived-narrative slanted story in "Rolling to Get Stoned"? But do you expect the press to exhibit much expertise when management such as at ESPN discard knowledgeable Bill Simmons while continuing to feature journalistic jewels Skip Baseless, Keith Countdown to Disaster, Britt "Just Another Petty Face" McHenry, Ray "Dancin' On Their Graves" Lewis, Jailin' "Uncle Tom" Rose, Mark "Action With Alexis" Jackson, Seth "Curry Just a Walk-On" Greenberg and Screamin' A. Stiff?
Jeff Foxworthy should host a show Are You Smarter Than a Press Pundit? Questioning the qualifications of misguided media members quickly comes to mind when assessing their longstanding track record failing to acknowledge stellar mid-level players as All-Americans. Despite superb collegiate careers, including player of the year acclaim in a mid-major conference, a striking number of individuals didn't generate sufficient national recognition to be chosen as an All-American. For instance, Louisiana Tech's Paul Millsap led the nation in rebounding three straight seasons from 2003-04 through 2005-06 but wasn't accorded All-American status.
Incredibly, the overlooked features two prominent floor generals who went on to lead the NBA in assists a total of 14 times - John Stockton (nine) and two-time MVP Steve Nash (five) - plus Tim Hardaway, who averaged 8.2 apg during his 13-year pro career; Joe Dumars, a six-time NBA All-Star guard and 1989 NBA Finals MVP, and Derek Fisher, who received five championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first decade of the 21st Century. Among shunned frontcourters, two-time conference MVPs Chris Gatling, Brian Grant, Popeye Jones and Rik Smits each played at least 11 seasons in the NBA.
Whether they are coaches who need to come out of the film-watching closet or members of the lame-stream media, many incompetent voters should be deep-sixed for overdosing on the premier leagues while condescendingly looking upon mid-level players such as Cleveland State's Norris Cole. Georgia State's R.J. Hunter, a two-time MVP in the Sun Belt Conference, could eventually be among the following alphabetical list of Division I conference MVPs left behind in regard to securing All-American status before they enjoyed NBA/ABA careers of at least six seasons: