Having ranted last year about what a bad system the all-star selection process is, it seems redundant to raise the same issue by way of listing who won’t be in Philadelphia this weekend but should be.

Instead, here are my All-Quasar teams, named for the celestial body that is the heart of a galaxy, sometimes looks like a star, but technically isn’t. (I just knew that astronomy class would one day pay off.) These are the guys who have more plays run at them by opponents than for them by their team. They take more fouls and charges than free-throw attempts, and they’re expected to score hustle buckets.

Graduation from Quasar to full-fledged Star is against the laws of nature, so the Ben Wallaces and Sam Cassells aren’t eligible. Ron Artest and Ryan Bowen aren’t candidates because their teams aren’t winning.

See how simple picking an all-something team can be if you just set a few guidelines?

Western Conference

Malik Rose (Spurs) -- Has made the Admiral a fourth-quarter afterthought with tough D, energy and a much-improved J.

Eduardo Najera (Mavericks) -- The Mavs’ version of Matt Harpring, providing precious toughness, especially with Greg Buckner injured.

Gary Trent (Timberwolves) -- provides vital interior presence and unique chemistry with KG.

Scott Pollard (Kings) -- Their best interior defender, a big reason for their great start sans CWebb.

Robert Horry (Lakers) -- Looking older and creakier every day, but no one runs the triple-post better or is craftier on D.

Eastern Conference

Eric Williams (Celtics) -- Committed to steadiness and D, elements more rare than boron in Boston.

Keon Clark (Raptors) -- Providing quality minutes at center with Hakeem banged up.

Jon Barry (Pistons) -- With no true point guard, his passing and ballhandling at the 2 have been vital.

Popeye Jones (Wizards) -- Consistently knocking down mid-range J to go with glass-cleaning excellence.

Todd MacCulloch (Nets) -- Best free-agent signing of the year, his inside presence has been indispensable.

Coach Division

Dick Harter (Celtics assistant) -- Antoine Walker is deferring more to Paul Pierce, which helps on offense, but defense is the difference between last season’s 21-26 record and this year’s 27-20 after 47 games.

Referee Division

Violet Palmer -- If you’ve seen her work lately, you know she’s no longer a novelty. Her court presence and confidence are palpable and it’s no accident she officiated the NBC Bucks-76ers game Saturday. Nationally-televised assignments are plum and, wary of the heightened scrutiny, the league is careful about who gets them.

AND ONES: Don’t expect disgruntled Warriors forward Marc Jackson to go anywhere now until next October, when his control over where he can be traded ends. Also add the Mavs to the list of teams interested ... In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, the reason behind Doug Christie repeatedly raising his hand during the course of a game is offered. Christie does so every time he thinks of his wife, so that she has visible evidence of his devotion. Yeah, it makes me squirm a little, too.

Ric Bucher covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ric.bucher@espnmag.com.