Vladimir Kaponovic, All Star?

Congratulations to Shaq and DWade on making the all star team as starters. But who didn't think that was going to happen? Just the way it happened, the latter through nightly generation of highlight reels while the former due to the size of his shadow cast from the bench. It's like voting a dead man president, or at least senator - not that Shaq doesn't deserve to be recognized as an All Star, just that he has only played in 5 games now.

I wonder what the odds were for that on the books in Vegas...

The all star fun isn't over just quite yet, oh no. We get to see who rounds out the roster (why Nash was snubbed as a starter only reflects that popular voting is a flawed system...), who gets to dunk and bore the rest of us, which rookies get to show their stuff, which players get to demonstrate their skills, and who gets to thrill us with their deft three point shooting.

The last competition is what I am really in anticipation for because, frankly, it is the one competition the Heat has the best chance of winning since Harold Minor skyed for dunks a few years back (the only thing Baby Jordan ever did, actually). That chance for the Heat is materializing in the form of one Jason Kapono.

Kapono has had a pretty big year thus far. He sat the bench last season due to his unfamiliarity with Riley's defensive system, not just because he was slow of foot. Turns out, Riley's endorsement of Kapono was not just steam to inflate the baloon of his value, but rather an honest truth. The kid can defend solidly, and can stay honest on his assignment.

But let's be real here, the reason Jason Kapono is in this league is because he can flat out shoot.

Shooting over 50% from three point range (55.5%) and over 50% from the field (52%) is down right impressive. And reason one why he WILL be at the all star game in Vegas with fellow Heatians Wade and Shaq.

The interesting point to consider for Kapono is that this was no new secret - he could always shoot the rock. Just he didn't have that added sexiness of being a European player coming out of school. And he had stayed for all four years at UCLA - that is two strikes against him.

Being white and an American player is not what the NBA tends to value in this league. Could the Kap'n change all that?

"I should have left UCLA after my freshman year, played in Croatia, grown a beard and changed my name to Vladimir Kaponovich."

First thing, there is no need for an 'h' on your newly christened last name, JKap. Secondly, you have done pretty well considering. Thirdly, Vladimir Radmonovic is not exactly having the success you are these days, so perhaps it was a good thing the way it has worked out.

Kapono, Kaponovic, My Kapono, whatever you want to call him, has demonstrated that if you can shoot you can be a factor in this game. Shooting has never gone out of style and in fact, has become increasingly devalued in favor of athleticism. The trend has been to find hybrids to play positions, centers that can handle the ball and pass, power forwards that can knock down threes. This has all lead to league-wide schizophrenia and in some instances, ugly basketball. Take an off night from Rasheed Wallace for example, BLECK!

What Kapono is doing right now needs to be commended. He is not only demonstrating that the biases and prejudices of the NBA exec are an archaic outdated thing that needs to be dealt with, but that the return to simple and stable ideas in this game can help make it better. Kapono can shoot, but he also has a quick release. Imagine what he would be doing on Phoenix's roster?

Unfortunately for the Heat, Kapono may be pricing himself right out of Miami. There will be some execs who overvalue his talent, and devalue their ability to find another good shooter, and will pay dearly to have him on their roster. An All Star appearance with a win at the three point competition might be the death knell for his Heat career, too.

Nevertheless, I root for Kapono because I rooted against him. Yes, me, a Heat fan thought that there was no way Kapono could realistically make a consistent contribution to the Heat. But he has, and he is showing staying power - with the right offense, mind you. After all, Rasual Butler could shoot, too and was a second round pick. And he had a very strong start to his career in Miami, before being dealt to New Orleans. Coincedentally, he too has made a pretty big splash this season as a shooter.

And like Kapono, all he needed was playing time to prove himself. In Miami, Kapono has gotten his chance and made the most of it. See you in Vegas - and win that three point competition for all the other shooters out there.