Definition of NBA "Star"
 

CNN had a link to the following story, with the lead "NBA Star arrested during DUI stop"

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/14260878/detail.html

Now, knowing that had the player in question actually been a star, they would have used his name to get more hits, I had a strong suspicion that the player involved would be far from a star. Indeed, the player involved is actually a bit more known than I would have expected.

That said, I think that the whole thing raises a question. At what point can/should you be called a "star?" Or, to get closer to what I am thinking, is it possible to quantify something as intangible as "star-ness?" Can we come up with objective criteria that can roughly approximate our gut reactions of "He's a star." "He's a normal player." "He's a nobody."

Or, is the definition of star always something that we can only know when we see?

Now it would have been a better story if he were picked up with another NBA "star" who wrote a book a few months ago...

There is no possible scenario in the world where Lakers star and Kwame Brown should be in the same story.

Kwame is more of a black dwarf than a star.

Having said that, I think any player who has started or seen significant minutes in multiple seasons for a team/s is eligible for the "star" status in media DUI reports.

Sure there is.

Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant told media today that Kwame Brown should be traded.

Kwame Brown will never be a serviceable player on any team, let alone a Lakers star.

If you want to see a Lakers star, ask Kwame Brown and he'll point you in Kobe Bryant's direction.

See? It's not so hard.

Should have been "Former #1 overall pick" or "Jordan's biggest Mistake"

Then again, Adam Morrison looking good in preseason too.

Actually, I heard Morrison was the driver. But since he doesn't matter, no one noticed who he was.

An NBA star is whomever the shoe companies tell me is a star. They wouldn't lie.

Superstar(i.e. LeBron, Kobe) there is normally five of them
All Star(i.e. TMac, Ming, Ray Allen) guys that usually make the all star game
Star - Would get major playing time on any team in the league. Usually the #2 scorer on a team.

okay, not to start a serious conversation in this thread, but this fascinates me. What do you base this on? Not saying you're wrong; I have no idea, and never really thought about it. But I am curious where you got it from.

Just my own opinion.

Right now...

1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Wade
4. Duncan
5. Carmelo

This is not in order.

Interesting view, but I don't see how you can count out Dirk and AI (even if he isn't quite what he used to be) as Superstars.

AI was a superstar.

To me a superstar is a guy that can carry his team to victory. Duncan barely makes the but when he feels like it he can dominate every night.

He's also gay.

I think that "star" also has to factor in media hype, notwithstanding ability.

Stephon Marbury is, IMHO, not a great player. Indeed, I don't even think that he is a good player. But his hype level is high enough that I could see him being called a star.

Also, a guy like Shaq is certainly still a star--and he will be a star even if he is playing 10 years from now and averaging 3 minutes a night. It isn't just about how good you are. That is part of it. But only part.

Yup. For a player to be a "star" there has to be some quotient of media love that the media chooses to give a player. Much of the time, the media grants this "star" privilege to players who deliver via performance (both individual and team). Obviously though, some "overrated" players become "stars" merely b/c the media either likes them or sees some value in them to label them a star. Name recognition figures in largely here as well as personality. While Brown likely has the personality of a rock, simply by being the first overall draft pick in some year gives you life-long recognition.

Similarly, if David Carr were pulled over in Charlotte, I'm certain some players would lead off a similar heading as did Brown's headline.

Which brings up another interesting question. How long does it take for many of you to go back to first overall picks in previous drafts and not remember who that player was?