Western Conference:
Starters:
Kobe Bryant (SG, Los Angeles Lakers)
I don't think there's really much of a question to this one, I mean, really, he's the best SG in the league, arguably, though his numbers are slightly down, but of course, that comes from playing with such a loaded team where he's only averaging 36 minutes per game. Of course, by "down" I mean he's "only" averaging 26.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals on 47% FG shooting. Currently Kobe's averaging the least amount of minutes played since his sophomore season (where he averaged 26 minutes per game) and is able to do a lot more with it. The man is a winner and a warrior, just one of the most brilliant basketball players ever. The MVP last season, and considered one of the best basketball players on the planet, and everybody knows it, there's no reason why he shouldn't get the starting nudge.
Chris Paul (PG, New Orleans Hornets)
There's a question of David Stern tinkering with the numbers because of the sudden surge of CP3 votes to put him over T-Mac in the starting slot. I'm not going to disagree that Paul is the better pick, but it kind of defeats the purpose of fan voting for starters if that's really the case. I'm not going to get into that though. Chris Paul has been the revival of New Orleans basketball, coming in second in MVP voting last year, he has almost single-handedly carried a floundering Hornets franchise into becoming a contender. Paul is also the current league leader in assists and steals, his per game averages read; 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 2.7 steals all on nearly 50% FG shooting, phenomenal. There is no question he is the best point guard in the league right now. As a small note, his assist numbers are actually down 0.6 this season from last. As a second note, the guy's only 23, he's got room to improve. Some might think he's like the rebirth of the Mike D'Antoni version Steve Nash (18.6 pts, 11.6 assts, on 53% shooting), however, here's a major difference: New Orleans plays at a pace of 89.6 possessions per game, Mike D'Antoni's Knicks (whom we'll assume played similarly to the Suns of old) use 10 more possessions per game. CP3 gets these stats in a slow offense, really slow (29th in the league).
Tim Duncan (PF/C, San Antonio Spurs)
There is also no reason Tim Duncan should not be in the All-Star Game. There is no PF that has ever been more consistently dominant in the league, it's arguable that there has been no PF as good as Tim Duncan. Duncan has been putting up these numbers for the past 11 years he's been in the NBA and continues to do so well into his 12th, and there's no reason to think that he'll taper off going into his 15th. He's averaging 20.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks on 51% shooting. Mind you, 1.8 blocks per game is a career low for him. Under the radar because he doesn't have that flashy game and because he's been doing it for the past 11 years, nonetheless, he should be on the All-Star team and on the starting roster just because he's that good. Tim Duncan in the low post is the closest thing to an automatic bucket that I can think of.
Amar'e Stoudemire (PF/C, Phoenix Suns)
Don't worry people, the apostrophe still throws me off too. Then again, I think I spelled his name Stoudamire for an entire season before I realized he wasn't related to Damon or Salim. His numbers are definitely down as he is becoming less of the focal point of the offense, oftentimes I forget that he's on the Suns, as the offense gets run through Shaq so much. However, he's still a dominant factor in the game and one of the best bigs, should he get his mind in the game, which, is something that he hasn't really done. He's getting 21.3 points, 8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 54% shooting, solid numbers for a big. He's definitely not lived up to expectations that everyone had for him, and definitely has a tendency to fade under pressure, and not dominate games like we want him to, but the fact that the ASG is in Phoenix gives him some bonus points here.
Yao Ming (C, Houston Rockets)
There really isn't much doubt that Yao would be voted in as an All-Star starter, really, it was a given, China wouldn't let it be otherwise, unless Stern messed with the votes and then there would be rioting, and that would be bad. Honestly though, to address it from a merit basis, there aren't any other centers that deserve the spot more. As much as I want to call Tim Duncan a center, Yao Ming is the best true center in the Western Conference. His averages are down a little, but, nonetheless, he's doing well; 19.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 blocks on 54% shooting. He's definitely solid, no other center comes close.
So here are my picks for the Western Conference reserves, the starters are set, and I don't greatly disagree with them to any extent, actually, I think the Western Conference starters are exactly the starters that I voted. Anyways, here are who I think the coaches should pick as the reserves. Again, for those unfamiliar, the coaches pick 2 guards, 2 forwards, a center, and 2 wildcard slots for the roster.
Reserves:
Chauncey Billups (PG, Denver Nuggets)
Billups only played 2 games for Detroit before he was packaged in a surprise trade for Denver's Allen Iverson. Off of this season's immediate impact, it looks like Denver got the better end of the trade. Billups definitely has been performing extraordinarily well, and has been the solid veteran floor leader for the Nuggets and has helped them put together this strong season. He's averaging 18.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.4 steals on about 42% shooting since the trade. He's been the key (more so than Melo) to the Nuggets' success this season and therefore it would be wrong to shun him. There really aren't any other guards out there making as big of an impact on the floor, and that's I think, one major component of the All-Star game that really should be considered, in addition to the numbers (Denver has been 26-14 since Billups suited up).
Brandon Roy (SG, Portland Trailblazers)
I think Roy should be on the All-Star roster for many, many years to come. Granted, a lot of people thought he stole one of the wildcard slots last season, but this season, he's definitely proven himself worthy. Despite only being in his 3rd year, he's already become the steady-handed veteran-like leader of the young Blazers squad, and has shown he can take over the game. He's averaging; 22.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1 steal on 46% shooting. Reminder, only his third season. Beyond my liking Roy for going to Washington (my alma mater) he's a solid no frills kind of player that's hard not to like. He's really helped put Portland on the map, and is one of the reasons that Kevin Pritchard looks like a genius (this pick otherwise would have been Randy Foye).
Dirk Nowitzki (PF, Dallas Mavericks)
As much as I disklike Dirk, you have to admit, he's been shouldering a large load in carrying a floundering Mavericks, at least in the offense, and is definitely putting up All-Star numbers. As much as he can't carry a team to a championship, he's definitely among the elite for big men, and puts up solid numbers to back it up; 26 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 47% shooting. While 47% might seem a little low for a big man, you have to remember that Dirk shoots a lot from the perimeter, so you kind of have to treat his shooting percentage like those of a SF, which in this case, 47% is phenomenal. No reason to snub the German wonder, at least I can't find one without seeming self-contradictory.
Kevin Durant (SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder)
Durant's game has completely transformed after Scotty Brooks decided to be smart and move him out of the SG slot. For that, he warrants All-Star mentions. Granted he's on Oklahoma City, ok, but let's not hold that against him. He's the one bright spot on a dull Thunder team. He's really been lighting it up and thriving in his new role of the offense, and scary thing is, it's only his second year. The kid is 20. He's averaging 24.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals on 46.9% shooting. Stellar, just stellar. I think he can rebound better, but from what I hear, they're just playing him way too far from the hoop. Nonetheless, the kid seems to have the game figured out.
Al Jefferson (PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves)
Big Al is doing his best to keep a slap-dash T'Wolves somewhere near respectability in the league. Put together with an inconsistent Sebastian Telfair, streaky Randy Foye, undersized Ryan Gomes and Craig Smith, and ill-used Mike Miller, Al Jefferson has been the solid anchor in the entire franchise. Averages of 22.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks on 49% is no easy feat, especially as opposing teams tend to focus their defense on Jefferson. Sure he has room to grow, but his production so far in his 5th season (he's only 23) has definitely given the T'Wolves some hope for the future. The guy is a stud. Definitely should get in here on the ASG roster, and there really isn't a center in the West I think that can top him out.
Wildcards:
These two slots just go to whoever is left, regardless of the position, just based, I guess on merit. Not really too sure, but it's just two extra roster slots to pick.
Tony Parker (PG, San Antonio Spurs)
Parker, while having missed a short period of time with an ankle sprain definitely has been part of what has helped tide the Spurs over from their rough start without Manu Ginobili. He's been having a career year, and honestly, there really isn't any guard that can stay in front of him. He's definitely playing stellar basketball, and for that, I think, should get a nudge into the All-Star Game; 20.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists on 49.8% shooting. There really aren't many other guards that can pull that off.
Pau Gasol (PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers)
While it irks me to put him on here, I have to, just based on the fact that his team is doing so well and he's such an integral part of it. He consistently provides a post presence for the Lakers and definitely keeps Phil Jackson's offense rolling. He's averaging 17.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists on 55.7% shooting. Those are some solid numbers and the intangibles he brings to the floor definitely give him the edge over the other considerations.
Potential "snubs"
I use "snubs" in quotes because, I really don't know whether or not I'm right, so there's a chance that one of my "snubs" gets in, for some reason or another. I had a pretty hard time picking the last few slots as the gap between All-Stars and not is really pretty small, so it's hard. These guys I thought had a shot, but aren't for one reason or another.
LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C, Portland Trailblazers)
Also having a stellar season, definitely improved his game significantly. However, the fact that he's a big only averaging 6.8 rebounds per game is somewhat alarming, which is why he gets the snub here.
Nene Hilario (PF/C, Denver Nuggets)
I really wanted to put Nene in the All-Star Game, I think him being healthy has been another huge difference maker for the Nuggets. However, he's just not consistent enough to warrant putting in over the other players (like Gasol, Durant, or Dirk).
Shaquille O'Neal (C, Phoenix Suns)
A part of me says that Shaq is probably going to make the team. It's nice to see the big guy proving all the doubters (myself included) wrong by having a stellar year, and the fact in it's in Phoenix probably gives him some bonus points in voting. However, I just can't put him in over some of the other guys. That, and the fact that he's sat a decent number of games (only 7 but seems like more) just because he's old, I don't know, bringing it only 2 games out of 3 doesn't really do it for me.
Carmelo Anthony (SF, Denver Nuggets)
He's missed a fairly large part of the season thusfar to injury, unless he comes back real soon I think that's going to hurt him. Additionally, Kelly Dwyer makes a very strong case for why Kevin Durant should be in the ASG over Melo.
Rudy Gay (SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies)
Gay has been playing solid, but has had a lot of his shots taken away by OJ Mayo. Honestly, he's been good, but like Nene, consistency has been something of an issue, which is why I opt not to choose him.
Jason Terry (PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks)
Jason Terry is playing amazing basketball. Let me just start with that. It's hard to warrant who to pick over Terry, I personally think Parker is bringing more to a successful team, which is why I opted not to pick Terry, the same with Billups. Don't get me wrong, Terry's doing a lot for the Mavs, I just feel like the other guards I picked over Terry are just contributing more all around to their respective teams.
Deron Williams (PG, Utah Jazz)
I really feel like Deron should be in here, but an early season injury and the struggles he's had to full recover from it can still kind of be felt today. Which is sad, because that keeps him out of the ASG.
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