Why Not Just Call It the All-Jordan Game?

This year’s NBA All-Star game has just concluded, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the Michael Jordan lovefest has finally ended. I’m sorry to be such a grinch, but all the attention Jordan received this weekend was definitely undeserved, as proven by his mediocre performance in the game. He was allowed to be a starter, he had the ball passed to him just about every time down the floor, and he botched two game-winning shots.

I look forward to the All-Star game every year, and it was a disgrace to see it ruined by phony sentiment.

Mihir Upadhyaya

La Mirada

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While, on the surface, the Eastern team’s attempt to honor Michael Jordan in his final (?) All-Star game by trying to put him in position to win the MVP award seemed like a noble gesture, I can’t help but to equate this well-intended but misguided plan with that of a high school football team allowing its developmentally disabled ball boy to score a touchdown.

Ed Fresquez

Cameron Park

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So David Stern has just expanded the NBA’s first-round playoff format from five to seven games. Wouldn’t we be better off just eliminating the first round?

People rightfully complain that the current format, which allows 16 of the 29 teams into postseason play, devalues the regular season and encourages teams like the Lakers to cruise until playoff time. What better way to restore meaning to the season than to limit the playoffs to eight teams? Unless, of course, you’re driven more by increased revenue than quality of competition.

Paul Chipello

Northridge

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The Housing Rights Center alleges that Donald Sterling uses racial profiling to select tenants for his apartment houses. If this is true, it should be grounds for the NBA to force him to sell his Clipper franchise. Certainly there is no place in the NBA for a racially biased owner.

Haim Pekelis

Pacific Palisades

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With the NBA’s All-Star game just played, wouldn’t it be interesting if George Steinbrenner had a basketball franchise? He would, without a doubt, purchase the following “dream team.” Starting lineup: Shaq, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, Kobe and Steve Francis. Reserves include: Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Yao Ming, Jamal Mashburn and Peja Stojakovic.

Then, in the first round of the playoffs, they would lose to the Angels -- uh, the Clippers, in four.

Dan Anzel

Los Angeles