How All Star Games should be handled

With NHL All-Star, and NBA All Star games I have to question, should the fans have as much say as they do in who goes or who doesn’t go? My answer is yes and no

My first example the NBA. You have two guards, two forwards, and one center. Whoever has the best stats in each position should be the named the starter. Then the fans vote on the reserves. Now you are probably wondering how would you sort all those stats out. Guards would be determined on assists, forwards on points per game, and centers on rebounds. Sounds like a crazy idea but it’s just one idea. I think the concept is good but not the actual layout. Right now the reserves are chosen by a vote among the head coaches of each squad’s particular conference. The last part should remain intact unless a better ideas comes up

Then you have the MLB All-Star Game. Another good concept but here is the bad layout. The Infielders are determined by batting average and the outfielders are based on Home Runs. Then you have the pitchers, in which that should be based on ERA. Right now players are selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers.

Since I don’t follow much hockey here is how the NHL does it:
The starting lineup for the two teams, including the starting goaltender, is voted on by fans, while the remainder of the teams’ rosters are chosen by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department in consultation with the teams’ General Managers. Since 1996, the head coaches for the two All-Star Game have been the coaches of the two teams that are leading their respective conferences in point percentage (i.e. fraction of points obtained out of total possible points)

Really that’s not a bad way to do it. At least one player from each team is represented and everyone is happy that is a fan of that team.

Now here is how the NFL does it:
Currently, players are voted into the Pro Bowl by the coaches, the players themselves, and the fans. Each group’s ballots count for one third of the votes. The fans vote online at the NFL’s official site. There are also replacements that go to the game should any selected player be unable to play due to injuries. Prior to 1995, only the coaches and the players made Pro Bowl selections.

Another great way but in some cases not every team is represented. Take the Lions, Rams, Bengals and Jaguars for example. No one from those teams have anyone playing.

I think in all sports, the starters should be determined by performance, not popularity. The reserves should be voted by the fans. And if need be, the leagues should step in and make sure there is one person from each team represented. It keeps the team and their fans happy. The NFL and NHL to me have it right to some degree but the other sports do not MLB and NBA. The fans in those two sports have the most say on who starts and who doesn’t. Every year someone gets left out that shouldn’t get left out, no matter what sport it is. That’s why some of the systems should change. Call me crazy but if you look at the starters for the NBA All Star Game the only reason they got on their is because of their past. Base your vote on the present. That’s my take on the All-Star games. Usually their a joke and bunch hogwash anyways but if they want it to be more serious, change the system. Will it ever happen? I doubt it.