by Dana Greene

I realize my own question is an asinine one, but to everybody else outside of Utah, it isn't. Of course the Jazz deserve an All-Star. At least two, preferably three, but there's a good chance they might not get any. The reason why is the same reason why free agents are reluctant to come here. Because Salt Lake City is the most anonymous NBA town in the league, and no matter how successful the team is, the rest of the NBA world will struggle to take notice.

The All-Star Game starters will be announced tomorrow, and the closest Jazz player to the starting lineup is Mehmet Okur, who is 4th in Western Conference centers behind, yes, Erick Dampier. Deron Williams isn't even in the top-10 in guards, and Carlos Boozer, who is having an MVP type season is 8th in forwards. I realize the fans have all the say (as they should) in who the starters are, and the voting is basically a popularity contest. But if the coaches fail to recognize how good Boozer, Williams and Okur have been this season whey they select the reserves, I'll be truly disgusted.

Boozer should be in no matter what. The guy may lack quality interview skills, but it's impossible to argue with his numbers. Boozer is averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. That is sick. How about Williams? How about 17 points, 9 assists and 3 boards per contest. Okur has the least impressive stats of the three at 17 points and 7 points per game, but beacuse of the total lack of quality centers in the league, he could have the best chance of getting in (especially with the injury to Yao Ming).

So please, Avery Johnson (probable coach of the West)...you HAVE to select Boozer. And please don't take your own guys like Dampier and Jason Terry over Okur and Williams. It wouldn't be right, and it wouldn't be fair. The Jazz have three guys playing like all-stars. They should be treated as such. Don't penalize them just because they play in Utah.