Kobe Bryant appreciates the fact that so many NBA fans want to vote him to the 2014 All-Star Game. Really, he does. But if you're thinking about casting a vote for him this season, he has a message for you: Don't. He's probably not going to be healthy enough to play in the game next month. And even if he is, he would rather see one of the young guards from the Western Conference get your vote.
"I really enjoy watching what the younger guys are doing and how they're performing," he said over the weekend. "Even though there's so much respect from me to be able to go out there and play for the fans, I'd much rather see the young guys play in the game because they've obviously put the work in to be in it. I'd much rather go out there and see them participate…I probably won't be able to come back soon enough to put my stamp or make my mark on the game, so my advice would be to focus on these younger players, the Damian Lillards of the world, because they're more than deserving to be playing on that weekend."
Kobe makes a great point. He hasn't played enough this year to be a true All-Star. So fans should vote for guys who have played and who have played well before they vote for him. Does that mean they'll listen to him and stop voting for him? Doubtful. But it's good to hear Kobe say what everyone else is thinking right now. Despite his past, he doesn't deserve an All-Star nod this season. So his spot should go to someone else.
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[via Pro Basketball Talk]
