Joe Alexander, Rudy Fernandez, or Russell Westbrook? That’s it?

I’m not saying that the Home Run Derby packs the best stars in the game each year, but half the contestants are legitimate stars if not all of them. Why is it that the Slam Dunk Competition at the NBA All-Star game is too frequently devoid of stars? Dwight Howard’s a monster and watching him participate is a pleasure. Rudy Gay’s an up-and-coming player but not an All-Star. And Nate Robinson? He may be a defending champ but let’s get real — he’s nowhere near a star player. So already you have two contestants that really aren’t stars and the fourth participant will be selected by the fans. That’s a great idea in theory but not so great when the players we get to choose from are Joe Alexander, Rudy Fernandez, or Russell Westbrook. I’m not sure what the NBA is up to here. Obviously they’re trying to market their young players because all three are rookies. Rudy Fernandez they can market to a Spanish crowd I guess. Alexander the same with the Asian crowd I guess. With Westbrook, maybe they’re trying to throw Oklahoma City a bone.

Seriously, what typical fan has even heard of any of these guys? Why can’t they get some decent names into the dunk competition? How about Vince Carter who no longer is worthy of being voted onto an All-Star team? How can they throw in Joe Alexander who barely cracks 10 minutes and four points a game? I’m voting for Westbrook for my obvious UCLA bias and also because he’s the best player (and dunker of the bunch). Since you probably have no clue who these guys are, here’s their publicity videos asking for your vote. And seriously, like any of these guys can compare to Howard as pictured above? Please.