NBA All-Star 2009 Thoughts

First of all, so we can get this out of the way, giving Shaq the co-MVP is ridiculous. The NBA is forcing a feel good story. Phil Jackson was right to point out that this is the first time a player wins the MVP by playing only eleven minutes.
Having said that, I thought that the West team would aim to make either Amare or Shaq the MVP since they are the player representatives of the host city. I guess its reflective of the turmoil brewing in Phoenix – nobody knows who the local MVP is. There is a secret battle for leadership between Shaq and Amare, haha.
Kobe giving the trophy to Shaq for Shaq’s sons is big of Kobe (if that is true; who knows which truths Shaq speak of nowadays). It brought up Kobe’s stock even higher.
I’m sure a lot of people will talk about Kobe’s 23 field-goal attempts…. and ignore Lebron’s 20 attempts. I am biased for Kobe, of course, but he wasn’t trying that hard (unlike the last time he won the All-Star MVP before this).
Shaq dancing with the Jabbawokeez was awesome!
How about that Shaq play where he passes the ball to CP3, between Howard’s legs!?
How about Shaq backing down Howard and Howard not moving an inch – Howard is that strong. Shaq ended up spinning around Howard and lost the ball.
How about that strong side zone implemented by the West team? Is the Laker staff trying to sabotage their season by sharing their defensive scheme? I guess it’s not a secret anyway, right?