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Given the way NBA players become All-Stars – that is, the selection process, not simply the level of their performances – we shouldn’t be surprised some worthy players have fallen through the cracks.

Three separate constituencies, using distinct criteria, put together the rosters each season. Starters are selected by the votes of fans, the players and the media. They are generally pretty obvious choices, 10 players from a field of maybe 12 or 13 strong candidates.

The East and West rosters are fleshed out, though, by the conference coaches, who tend to factor in the W-L record of potential All-Stars’ teams. It’s an arbitrary filter, frankly, because great individual players can find themselves stranded on shabby teams. But the coaches’ focus on winning o

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