Love ‘Em Or Hate ‘Em: Most Polarizing NBA All-Stars

The NBA All-Star Game is set for L.A this Sunday. As with every All-Star Game, it’s also time for the annual debate as to whether the voting system is actually reflective of who’s among the best of the best or just a glorified popularity contest. If there’s any question as to the latter, please explain how Yao Ming got the starting nod. (Hint, it’s because there are 1 billion people in China.) However, that doesn’t explain how some of the games most “disliked” players get the nod year after year. Here’s a look at some of the most loved/loathed players in this year’s All-Star Game.

No. 4 Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Love him: This year marks the14th time Garnett’s been named among the NBA’s best. He’s got league and All-Star Game MVPs to his name. He’s got a championship ring. He’s one of the best big men in the game. Unlike the other folks on this list, he’s managed to stay out of the tabloid spotlight. And you know what? He’s actually a good guy. KG gave $1.2 million for Hurricane Katrina relief and has received numerous awards for his philanthropy.

Or hate him: You know that thing you mom used to say about if you don’t have anything nice to say? KG is unfamiliar with that concept. He was named the NBA’s biggest trash talker by a landslide in an SI poll– Garnett took 62 percent of the vote, runner up Kobe Bryant got 7 percent. Garnett delivered on of this season’s most memorable quotes, reportedly telling a Lakers ballboy hoping for an autograph, “You’ve got a better chance of catching Bin Laden.” On top of that, some – like Chicago’s Joakim Noah -- have called him a dirty player. Others call him intense.

No. 3 Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Love him: Smaller market superstar. March Madness hero. All-Star. Olympic goal medalist. Anthony boasts the kind of accolades and attributes to make him a fan favorite.

Hate him: As much of a fiasco as the very publicly played out LeBron James situation turned out to be last year, you would think NBA players (and athletes everywhere) would have been taking notes. Clearly, Carmelo and his handlers were not. Nothing turns fans off more than playing out your contract issues in public. And when Kobe Bryant is forced to come to your defense, you know you’ve lost the masses.

No. 2 LeBron James, Miami Heat

Love him: LeBron James has lived up to the hype. That’s a rare feat for any athletes, but seemed almost impossible given the hoopla surrounding James arrival in the NBA. A seven-time All-Star (with two game MVPs), a two-time league MVP, former Rookie of the Year and NBA scoring champ, LeBron is a player anyone would like to have on their team – as last year’s free agency market showed.

Hate him: The Decision. Need you say more?

No. 1 Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers

Love him: There’s no question that Kobe is an outstanding basketball player. He’s got an Olympic goal medal, an MVP award, two Finals MVP, five rings and is a 13-time All-Star. Don’t forget he’s not only a Slam Dunk Contest champ, but he can leap speeding luxury cars and snake-filled pools. Kobe is a perennial lock to land the fan-voted on All-Star starting spot. And if there’s any question as to how much he’s loved, the dude has nearly 6.6 million Facebook fans. If anything says “I adore you” in the 21st century, it’s Facebook likes.

Hate him:  On the semi-official list of most hated athletes, Bryant’s Q score places him fifth on the list of most disliked sports personality. The Lakers superstar just edges out LeBron to take the top spot of any NBA player on the list. Kobe fans will say it’s time to move past the whole Colorado drama (he and his wife have), the Phil Jackson criticisms (the Zen Master has) and his apparent attempt to turn on Shaq (Shaq at least has said he’s over it). But come on, this is America, we never forget anything. We just turn it into witty t-shirts.