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Redd needs to win to prove All-Star status
By Brett Winkler
If you look up the word “snub” in the dictionary, don’t be surprised if it simply instructs: see Michael Redd.
Since being named to the 2004 Eastern Conference All-Star team, the lefty’s talents have been overlooked by the rest of the basketball world.
The latest snubbing came just days ago, when the NBA announced the reserves for the 2006 All-Star Game. Redd’s name was nowhere to be found on the list of seven players chosen by NBA coaches. Selected were Paul Pierce of the Celtics; Chris Bosh of the Raptors; Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups of the Pistons; and Vince Carter of the Nets.
That makes two players from awful teams, four from a great team (but not nearly great enough to merit four All-Stars), and a player who has never heard the word “team” in his life. Yet there is no place on the Eastern Conference squad for a sharp shooter who has single-handedly kept his team above .500 despite a myriad of injuries?
Unfortunately, Redd is no stranger to being omitted from such a list. In fact, he found himself in the exact same situation when the reserves were announced for last year’s game. Despite improving on his scoring average by roughly two points per game, as he has done again this year, Redd was denied the opportunity to represent his conference in February.
Even in 2004, when he was chosen as an All-Star reserve, Redd was left off of the United States Olympic team. The so-called “Dream Team” turned out to be a nightmare, and a disappointing finish left them dreaming of what might have been had a certain shooting guard been called up for duty. No doubt our country would have faired far better had they truly been Redd, white and blue.
Redd has proven himself as a player, yet NBA coaches continue to ignore him come voting time. But if he can prove himself as a leader — and more importantly, a winner — it would be impossible for the voters to pass him up.
Indeed, the best way to end this injustice is for Redd and the Bucks to win — and the sooner, the better. Help may be on the way for the young star, as Joe Smith and Charlie Bell return from injuries with a favorable schedule ahead for the purple and green.
Maybe, by the end of the year, when the aforementioned dictionary directs you to Michael Redd’s name, it will include further instructions.
Michael Redd: see champion.
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