Kyoto Hannaryz guard Hikaru Kusaka fits neither of the above descriptions.
But he is the Western Conference's leading vote-getter among all guards by a huge margin. (Voting ends on Dec. 22.)
How educated about the 10-team West's players are the fans?
Kusaka barely steps off the bench for the Hannaryz (11-7). Ten teammates have logged more minutes to date.
He's played 132 minutes in 17 games, averaging 0.9 points, shooting 3-for-13 from 3-point range and 2-for-12 on 2s. He's scored 16 points in the team's nine two-game series.
Let's recap: Kusaka has made a total of five field goals in the team's first 18 games and is 5-for-27 from the field, shooting less than 20 percent overall. Those are not All-Star-caliber numbers, not even close.
His being named an All-Star starter would reflect badly on fans and the league. Many other players are far more deserving to start in the backcourt on Jan. 26 in Akita.
There's a reason the word "star" is a part of the All-Star label. It's suppose to mean something special.
The 31-year-old Kusaka, a longtime Sendai 89er who joined Kyoto in the offseason, is a friendly guy and a popular player who's career has faded quickly over the the past two seasons.