Where Are the NBA Stars?

Just got back from a little two-week vacation, and I was hoping somebody could direct me to the location of any legitimate stars that are remaining in the NBA playoffs. Sure, LeBron's still playing, and so is the old man-about-town Jason Kidd, and even that shaggy-haired Canadian Steve Nash. Tim Duncan, too.

But where are the move-the-meter stars that generate ratings and bring the wattage? Who wants to put out an APB?

Check out these names who have departed on a premature summer vacation: Kobe, Shaq, Wade, T-Mac, Dirk, Melo, Iverson, and Yao Ming. These are the NBA's marquee names. The ones that sell the most jerseys, score the most points, and make people tune in. I'd say these are eight of the 10 most popular players in the NBA.

Woe is David Stern.

Who's left? The callow Bulls are a tough sell; the Pistons play ugly - yet effective - basketball that can be as difficult to watch as NASCAR. The NBA must be collectively praying for a Suns-Warriors track meet in the West finals, because Jazz-Spurs has zero juice and only the die-hards can get geeked about Carlos Boozer posting up against Tim Duncan.

So, who wants to talk about the NBA draft?

PS - In case you're wondering, Vince Carter certainly was a marquee name. Sorry, not anymore.