The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

GERY WOELFEL

Following Wednesday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings was asked if his teammate, Andrew Bogut, should be selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve.

Jennings, who’ll be in the Big D as part of the Rookie Challenge, didn’t hesitate. He strongly endorsed Bogut and felt he should definitely be one of the seven players chosen by the Eastern Conference coaches.

I agree.

Aside from Orlando’s Dwight Howard, there hasn’t been a more complete, a more team-oriented or better center in the East this season than Bogut.

As it turned out, Bogut wasn't chosen. But even if he was, the entire NBA All-Star selection process needs to be radically revamped.

After all, Allen Iverson being chosen by the fans as a starter for the Eastern Conference is a farce.

The fans also came perilously close to voting Tracy McGrady into the Western Conference starting lineup.

And, does anyone truly believe Kevin Garnett should be starting for the East?

By putting non-deserving players in the starting lineup, it taints the product and robs much more deserving players of perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

I agree with NBA commissioner David Stern’s desire to have fans be a part of the All-Star process. I disagree with Stern in letting them pick the starters.

I propose the NBA head coaches select the five starters in their respective conferences (they can’t pick any of their own players) and a panel of NBA columnists/beat reporters selects the five reserves in their respective conferences.

I would still allow the fans to fill out their ballots with their two highest vote-getters, ones not chosen by either the coaches or media, being the wild-card selections.

Some other news and views:

-- Under the collective bargaining agreement, an NBA team is mandated to carry 13 players on their roster.

Why then, can’t they all suit up and be eligible to play every game?

-- With the Feb. 18 trading deadline fast approaching, trade winds are starting to pick up.

The biggest names swirling around are Toronto’s Chris Bosh and Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire

I’m hearing the Miami Heat are enamored with Bosh and, more importantly, so is Heat superstar Dwyane Wade.

Wade, I’ve been informed, has in so many words told Heat management to bring in a star player over the summer or he, a free-agent in-waiting as well, may be relocating his immeasurable talents to a different zip code.

It should also be noted that Wade and Bosh are both represented by Henry Thomas.

As for Stoudemire, the Chicago Bulls could be the leaders in the clubhouse.

Several NBA officials told me the Bulls would be willing to put together an enticing package that would definitely include Tyrus Thomas and possibly Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller.

-- About a month ago, an always-reliable source told me the Washington Wizards were moving along nicely toward reaching a contract extension with talented small forward Caron Butler.

But then came the Gilbert Arenas fiasco.

Now the word is the Wizards are willing to move anyone on their roster, including Butler and another quality veteran, Antawn Jamison, who still remains on the Cavaliers’ radar.

-- Contrary to most mock drafts, a long-time, highly-respected NBA scout told me he doesn’t consider Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas a lottery candidate.

On the flip side, several NBA scouts contend some mock-ery drafts aren’t giving enough love to Texas freshman guard Avery Bradley, who they believe will emerge as a top 10 selection if he elects to turn pro.

-- I was told today that approximately 85,000 tickets have already been sold for the upcoming NBA All-Star Game at Jerry Jones' palace.

-- Wade, Bosh and LeBron James will be the headliners in a star-studded free-agent lineup this summer.

But there will likely be a star coach available as well.

Barring something unforeseen, it looks like George Karl, unequivocally one of the best at his craft, will be on the open market.

A well-informed NBA lifer said "It’s slim to none’’ Karl will return to the Denver Nuggets who, at last check, had the second-best record in the wild, wild West.