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The votes have all been counted and Steve Francis has been snubbed for the All Star game. I am going to go out on a limb and say that this is the biggest travesty in the NBA since Isaiah Thomas was made GM of the New York Knicks. Allen Iverson and LeBron James were voted in by the fans as the starters and I have no problem with this. Iverson is the leading scorer in the NBA and for that alone should get the start, regardless of the fact he takes 94 shots a game. As for LeBron, he has NBA fans talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers in a GOOD way and for that he should be given a seat in the US Senate, but an All-Star start will suffice.

The point being, Francis wasn't going to start over those two players, so his only chance to make the team was to be selected by the coaches. Piece of cake right? Surely the NBA Head Coaches are smart enough to know who belongs on the All Star team. Apparently not. The three guards chosen were Dwyane Wade, Glibret Arenas, and Pual Pierce. (Hey, if Wade can horribly misspell his first name, then I can misspell whoever's name I want.) I won't argue with Arenas and Wade, they are great choices. Wade's Miami Heat are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and I know that's because of Shaq, but still Wade is averaging 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists a game on the best team in the East, that will get you a selection every time. As for Arenas, well, let's face it the Wizards are almost ten games over .500 and he's a giant reason for that. His 25 points, four rebounds and five dimes a game are certainly impressive enough to qualify him for this honor.

This leaves one spot for Paul Pierce or Steve Francis. Steve-O is averaging 22 points a game, six rebounds and seven assists while Pierce is putting up 22, seven and four, nearly a wash, so let's look closer. Francis' team has a better record, the Magic have been decimated with injuries, his best friend has been traded, oh and not to mention Steve-O has hit five game winners already this season. As for Pierce, his team is .500 for the first time since starting 3-3, AND the Celtics play in the worst Division in all of North American sports. The problem is, because Francis has hit so many game winners, he's probably lost a vote to each coach he's beaten. Whatever the reason may be, it's an absolute shame. Francis has taken the worst team in the NBA last season and given them the inside track to a playoff spot and if that isn't deserving of a spot on the All-Star roster, then I don't know what is. It could be worse I guess, he could be the self-proclaimed "best point guard in the NBA" like Stephon Marbury and STILL not make the roster.

Moving on, everyone is on pins and needles right now wondering if Phil Jackson might come back and coach or if Karl Malone is going to sign with the Spurs. Phil, please give Karl one of your rings so he'll go away, and Karl let Phil coach you and Stockton in the Salt Lake Over 40 League, so he can betray you in a book when the season is over. This way everyone wins.

Hang in there Mo Cheeks, the good news is that Darius Miles only has 32 years left on his contract. We are getting dangerously close to a colossal nervous breakdown from the Blazers head coach, and quite frankly who can blame him. Any day now Cheeks is going to show up to a game having forgotten to put on his pants, and no one will be surprised. Shame on Darius Miles, he should be thanking his lucky stars that ANY team in the league gave him a chance. He's been the single greatest underachiever since Jon Koncak and Miles has the nerve to yell at Mo Cheeks? Can life be that bad for Darius Miles? Oh wait, yes it can, I've seen his movie The Perfect Score. He has to live with those demons the rest of his life, and maybe he shouldn't be held responsible for his actions.

Lastly, wave goodbye to Flip Saunders as Head Coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last year the T-Wolves were the number 1 seed in the Western Conference, over the Spurs and Lakers. This year, they have the exact same team and they are currently ninth in the playoff race. Flip, you can thank Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell for that. They say they're not selfish, they say they're not in it for themselves, well how about playing worth a damn so your Head Coach doesn't lose his job. If that's not selfish then I don't know what is. God forbid you actually go out and EARN a contract these days. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Spree and Cassell riding a bus all through the night as they take the floor for the Roanoke Dazzle of the NBDL. Try feeding your kids on THAT salary Latrell.....

Dante welcomes your comments, questions and alternative opinions. E-mail him here.

Dante’s Speak is solely the opinion of Dante Marchitelli and does not reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA. Marchitelli has served as radio producer in the Orlando Magic's Broadcast department for six seasons.