Pope of Basketball.

Summary

The chapter discusses the impact of a stoppage in the NBA season, which resulted in 16 fewer games, but the All-Star weekend still occurred in Orlando. Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic won fan voting despite his team's struggles, raising questions about the league's influence on his popularity. The chapter reflects on Howard's potential trade and the media's speculation about his future. It also recounts the infamous "Magical Four Losers" trade involving Howard, where the Lakers seemed to benefit the most initially, but a year later, all teams involved faced challenges. The chapter highlights the All-Star selections, including notable players and their performances, while critiquing the selection process, particularly for guards. Additionally, it mentions Lin Shu Hao's late rise in popularity and his participation in the rookie game, alongside the Clippers' success and Yang Rui's reluctance to engage in the All-Star festivities.

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