With the NBA All-Star teams being selected tonight, I thought I'd take time to select my All-Stars. Here are the starters according to the last voting update released to the public.
Eastern Conference
C - Dwight Howard
F - Amar'e Stoudemire
F - LeBron James
G - Dwyane Wade
G - Derrick Rose/Rajon Rondo
Western Conference
C - Yao Ming
F - Carmelo Anthony
F - Kevin Durant
G - Kobe Bryant
G - Chris Paul
And your reserves according to Jared:
Eastern Conference:
G - Derrick Rose, Bulls/Rajon Rondo, Celtics
- One will be voted in by the fans, the other one still blatantly deserves a roster spot. Rondo has surpassed his Big Three teammates and has proved to be the reason behind the Celtics success. He leads the league in assists per game and is second in the league in steals per game. Derrick Rose has become the unstoppable scorer the Bulls were hoping to use their number one overall pick on in 2008. Whether it's with his pull-up J, or his will to get to the rack and finish, D Rose sets the table for his teammates but can dominate the game with his scoring prowess.
C - Andrea Bargnani, Raptors
The Italian former first pick is averaging a career high 21.6 points per game and seems to be fond of taking Chris Bosh's role as "the man" in T-dot. He probably still isn't too fond of the losing though.
F - Kevin Garnett, Celtics
As a Knicks fan it doesn't please me to see Kevin Garnett returning to his old form this season, but as a basketball fan it's nice to see one of the better, more consistent players really start to play better after an injury late in his career.
F - Danny Granger, Pacers
He may be capable of more, but he's still averaging 21.2 points per game and over five boards, while being the best player on a playoff contending team.
G - Raymond Felton, Knicks
I know Amar'e gets the MVP chants at MSG, but Felton is close to if not as responsible as Stoudemire is for the Knicks resurgence (knock on wood). Felton's averaging career highs in points (17.5), assists (8.9), and steals (1.9), and has been the heart of his up-and-coming team.
F - Chris Bosh, Heat
I hate to say it but the guys averaging 18 points and eight rebounds for the best team in the conference. I don't know if playing for the Heat will work for or against Bosh's All-Star hopes, but there aren't many guys playing better at his position.
C - Andrew Bogut, Bucks
The Aussie's averaging a double-double and leads the league in blocked shots. He did miss some time at the beginning of the season, but with Brandon Jennings out, Bogut has stepped up and kept the meek Bucks in playoff contention in the weak lower East.
G- Joe Johnson, Hawks
I don't think Horford is more qualified than Bogut or Bargnani, and I don't think Josh Smith has played his best basketball, but Joe Johnson keeps doing what he does and is a nice representative for the Hawks. Johnson's near his capable 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists averages and is unquestionably one of the best, most diverse guards in the league.
I picked 13 guys in case someone gets injured or decides not to play in the game. A few other replacements I would consider are G John Wall, Wizards (he'll play in the rookie game and maybe even the Skills contest), F Paul Pierce, Celtics, F Wilson Chandler, Knicks, C Al Horford, Hawks, and C Brook Lopez, Nets.
Western Conference:
G - Deron Williams, Jazz
Smooth jumper, dirty handle, crazy athleticism...the guys unstoppable. Williams is averaging nearly 22 points and 10 assists a game, and the Jazz are right where they always are: in the mix for the playoffs.
F - Blake Griffin, Clippers
You can't deny that this guy is an All-Star, you just can't! He's averaging damn near 23 points and 13 rebounds a game...that's more like First Team than All-Star reserve. His game really speaks for itself, and he is the most phenomenal rookie since Tim Duncan. Yes, not LeBron, but Tim Duncan. He's having a historically great season. Griffin has the second most double-doubles in the league and is tied for the most dunks in the league...he's an All-Star.
F/C - Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Here's another one that seems to draw controversy, but I just don't see how a guy averaging over 20 points and 15 (!!!!!) rebounds a game isn't a sure-fire All-Star. The Timberwolves are worse than horrible but this guy is rebounding at an unheard of rate.
G - Monta Ellis, Warriors
There are a ton of great guards in the Western Conference, but Ellis is a scoring machine and has really had some stellar performances this season.
G - Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the league but the Thunder have the fourth best record in the West because Russell Westbrook is the best sidekick in the league (can we really consider Wade or LeBron sidekicks?). Westbrook seems to be getting better every game and helped carry the Thunder when Kevin Durant missed several games earlier this season with an injured knee.
F/C - Pau Gasol, Lakers
This isn't a reason to select him as a 2011 All-Star, but Pau Gasol is probably the most efficient big man in the NBA over the last three seasons. As great as Kobe is, Pau has been the difference maker in this Lakers dynasty. He's averaging nearly 19 points and 11 rebounds a game and is looking for a third ring this spring.
G - Manu Ginobili, Spurs
He's playing more minutes and what do you know? The Spurs are winning more. Not to say he's responsible for the Spurs success this season, but he's probably been their best/most clutch player this year and he's deserving of an All-Star spot. Besides, with the surplus of gaudy point guards and big men in the West this season, someone has to represent the leagues best team in the All-Star game and Ginobili is the most logical pick.
F - Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
How do you snub a guy who's averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds a game? Sorry Zach Randolph, story of your life. As I mentioned in my Ginobili reasoning, there are too many great bigs in the West this year that I don't even have Dirk Nowitzki or Tim Duncan snagging spots, do you think Z-Bo will if those guys don't? Rudy Gay's having a nice season and fills both positional and representational obligations.
F - Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Alright I had to. Yao Ming's clearly not going to play anyway so there will be a spot up for grabs. I think Randolph is more deserving, but here's where I'm going to agree with the masses and give Dirk what's rightfully his. He's scoring big, his team is winning big despite being very, very banged up, and he's a legitimate NBA Superstar. Guys like him don't miss All-Star games even if they miss near 10 games in the first half of the season.
There are my 13 Western Conference All-Stars (sorry Yao), here are my deserving alternates: F Zach Randolph, Grizzlies, G Tony Parker, Spurs, F Michael Beasley, Timberwolves, F Lamar Odom, Lakers, F Lamarcus Aldridge, Blazers, G Steve Nash, Suns.
Stay tuned to see how the league agrees with my picks, but in the meantime, let me know if there's anyone YOU think I snubbed...
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