When the All Star starters were revealed, TNT hosted a show on the subject with hosts Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber, Gary Payton and Kenny Smith.  Payton disagreed with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett being named starters, and said they were only getting in on reputation.  He said that team record shouldn't matter, that Al Jefferson and Chris Bosh were playing better with better numbers and deserved the starting nod instead, and even went so far as to say that Big Al on San Antonio would have the Spurs just as good as they are with Duncan.

Do you agree?  This blog says no.  Besides some of the obvious and standard reasons (like team record, reputation, entertainment value), that blog entry tries to detail the difference in defense between the youngsters and the former MVPs.  What do you think?  Is the notion even worth entertaining (on the show Kenny Smith didn't think so)?  Does Payton have a point (on the show Webber quietly agreed with him).  Is the defense argument compelling, or are there other things you would point at to pinpoint exactly why Duncan/KG are still a level above Al/Bosh?  Or do you think Al and Bosh have caught them?