2011 All-Star Game Reserves

The All-Star Game starters have been announced! Good job NBA fans on voting the East All-Stars...But I can't say the same for who the fans voted in to the West All-Star Team. I mean come on, Yao Ming?!

Here are your starters for the All-Star Game:

West All-Stars	East All-Stars
Chris Paul	Derrick Rose
Kobe Bryant	Dwyane Wade
Kevin Durant	LeBron James
Carmelo Anthony	Amare Stoudemire
Yao Ming	Dwight Howard

The All-Star Reserves will be announced this Thursday, February 3, 2011, on TNT at 4:00 PM (PST)! As I did for the All-Star Game Starters, I will be giving my personal picks for the All-Star Game Reserves. Here they are!

WEST RESERVES
Guards
Deron Williams, Utah (29-20)
21.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 9.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.2 bpg
The Utah Jazz have been in quite a slump these days, but Deron Williams is not entirely to blame. He has been playing tremendously so far this season and is still a top point guard in the league. Not only has he dished the ball and set up team mates, but he has taken on a large part of the offensive responsibility for his team. There is no doubt in my mind he deserves a spot on this team.

Manu Ginobili, San Antonio (40-7)
18.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.4 bpg
As Charles Barkely would say..."GIIIINNNNOOOBBLLIIII!!!!" Manu Ginobli has been the best player on the best team in the league. The San Antonio Spurs are on top of the NBA totem pole, and that is due largely in part to the spectacular play of Ginobli. He's scoring, defending, and pulling through in the clutch. The only thing he isn't doing for his team is playing badly. Tim Duncan is still the face of the Spurs, but this is now Manu's team. This isn't a knock on TD, but a praise of how well Ginobli has been playing. 110% sure he belongs on this team.

Forwards
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (32-15)
23.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.7 bpg
Dirk has been one of my favorite players for years now and here's why. He has consistently performed at a high level and consistently led his team to wins. He was an early MVP candidate this year before going down with his injury, but there's no question he belongs on this reserve squad. He's averaging a career high 52% from the field and that's ridiculous considering Dirk does most of his work away from the basket.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (19-28)
22.6 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.6 bpg
His team isn't as good as he is, but I won't dock points off him for that. He's just that good and that fun to watch. Normally, I would rather have the player who's on a winning team make the All-Star team, but have you guys seen this kid play? He's the real deal, averaging 22+ points and 12+ rebounds, becoming the first rookie to do so since Shaq and David Robinson. He's already a lock for the Rookie of the Year award, and he's definitely earned his way onto this All-Star reserve team.

Center (NBA commissioner David Stern will choose an injury replacement for starter Yao Ming, thus there are two picks at center)
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles (33-15)
18.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 0.7 spg, 1.9 bpg
Pau Gasol isn't listed as a center on the All-Star ballot, but I believe he will be the starter to replace Yao Ming on the All-Star Team. He hasn't played well as of late, but he's the key to the Lakers being a top team in the NBA. Even with the Lakers in a mini slump, they are on top of the West and even the NBA. He's still doing it all across the board averaging a double double and blocking shots like it's nobody's business. He deserves a place on this reserve squad with out a doubt.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio (40-7)
13.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 0.7 spg, 2.0 bpg
Duncan is not listed as a center on the All-Star ballot, but he pretty much plays like a center. The center spot is thin in the West, so why not reward Timmy for his team being number one in the league. I like how Chris Webber and Kevin McHale put it last week. Tim Duncan makes this squad because of the Life Time Achievement Award. He's just done too much over the course of his career not to make this reserve team. He's not averaging the numbers he used to, but he's still the anchor on defense for the best team in the NBA.

Wild Cards
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (30-17)
22.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 8.5 apg, 1.9 spg, 0.5 bpg
When Kevin Durant and the Thunder were sinking earlier in the season, it was Russell Westbrook who kept them afloat. He was playing out of his mind and really stepped up when Durant was struggling to find his game. Westbrook is averaging career highs in most statistical categories and helping the Thunder to be the 4th best team in the West so far. He's been contributing on all areas of the floor and there aren't many point guards playing as well as he is throughout the league. He's earned a spot on this reserve team.

Kevin Love, Minnesota (11-36)
21.6 ppg, 15.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.4 bpg
It seems unconventional to put Kevin Love on this team considering he's the best player on the worst team in the West and 2nd worst team in the NBA. But you just can't ignore how well he's been playing. Everyone remembers that remarkable 31 point, 31 rebound game against the Knicks he had, being the 1st player to do so since Moses Malone did it in the early 1980s. Love is also averaging an impressive 44.5% from 3 point range. Say what you will about his teams record, but I have to give Love this spot for his amazing year thus far.

Honorable Mention
Monta Ellis (Golden State), LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Nene (Denver)

EAST RESERVES
Guards
Raymond Felton, New York (25-22)
17.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 8.9 ast, 1.9 spg, bpg 0.2
Most improved player of the year candidate? Yes! Signing with New York along with Amare Stoudemire has been great for Felton. He's averaging career highs in points and assists and he's also been a key reason the Knicks are at 6th in the East. That's a lot better then they were a year ago. Heck, that's a lot better then they have been for the past 5+ years. There aren't many guards playing as well as he has in the East and he definitely deserves a spot on this reserves list.

Rajon Rondo, Boston (36-11)
10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 12.6 apg, 2.4 spg, 0.2 bpg
Before being injured, Rondo was looking like the starting point guard for the All-Star Team, but he'll be playing in Los Angeles regardless. He's leading the league in assists and 2nd in steals, getting 12.6 APG and 2.4 SPG respectively. He's definitely one of the better point guards in the league and on the best team in the East. That qualifies for a reserve spot in my opinion.

Forwards
Paul Pierce, Boston (36-11)
19.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.6 bpg
He's been the best player on the best team in the East so far this season and he deserves this spot more than any other forward. At age 33, he's still playing at a high level and putting up very solid numbers. While the Celtics are known for defense, Pierce is the man who brings the offense to this team. That rewards him a reserve spot in my book.

Chris Bosh, Miami (34-14)
18.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.7 bpg
The third option on his team and still averaging 18.9 points and 8.3 rebounds. That sounds All-Star worthy to me. Add in the fact that he's on one of the best teams in the NBA and it solidifies his spot on this All-Star Team. Bosh has been playing very well (before his injury) and has really begun to fit into his role nicely on this team.

Center
Al Horford, Atlanta (30-18)
16.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 0.8 spg, 1.1 bpg
He's arguably been the best center in the NBA behind Dwight Howard and he's averaging career bests in fg%, ft%, assists, steals, and points so far this season. The Hawks have been pretty mediocre thus far, but Horford's play has been anything but that. He's been contributing on all areas of the floor and has really looked like the Hawks' best player at times.

Wild-Cards
Ray Allen, Boston (36-11)
17.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.1 bpg
It was either going to be Ray Allen or Joe Johnson at this spot and I just had to give it to Ray Allen for being on the best team in the East. I have officially jumped on the Boston Celtic bandwagon. Allen has been playing very well this season averaging career highs in FG% at 50.5% and 3-point range at 45.4%. He's the 2nd leading scorer on the Celtics and an important part of the foundation to the best team in the East.

Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (36-11)
15.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg, 0.7 bpg
As I said earlier about Tim Duncan, his numbers may not do him justice, but his team does. Garnett is a crucial part of the Celtics and the key to their defense. His presence on the floor is what is helping this Celtics team to be the top team in the East. KG gets the Life Time Achievement Award nod over anyone else that may deserve to be on this reserve squad.

Honorable Mention
Joe Johnson (Atlanta), Josh Smith (Atlanta), Carlos Boozer (Chicago)

2011 NBA All-Star Game Starters

Happy 2011 everyone! It's been a while since my last post, so I've decided one of my resolutions this year will be to stay consistent with my blogging. So here's to a new year full of exciting NBA coverage and analysis!

Next week, January 27th, 2011, the 2011 NBA All-Star Game Starters will be announced in a 1 hour special event on TNT. The best and worst thing about this is that the starters are voted in by the fans. Sometimes the fans make the correct choice, and sometimes they don't. Today, I would like to give my personal picks for the starters of both the West and East teams.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Guards
There are so many good guards in the West it's not even funny. Chris Paul, Manu Ginobli, Russell Westbrook, Monta Ellis, and the list goes on! But the two best guards so far this season, in my opinion, have been Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant. Deron Williams, arguably the best point guard in the league, is clearly the best player on the Utah Jazz (27-15), especially with Carlos Boozer now gone. Williams has been leading this team while averaging a career high 22.1 points a game. He's taken on the offensive load and it's paid out for his team.
What else can I say about Kobe? He's been averaging a solid 25.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals a game this year. He's also led the Lakers to 2nd best in the West with a record of 31-13. This is just Kobe being Kobe. He deserves this start over anyone.
Forwards
I said earlier that it's not even funny how many good guards there are in the West. But compared to how many good forwards there are in the West, the amount of good guards is hilarious! Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, etc. have all been great so far, but there can only be two starters. First, I have Kevin Durant. His numbers aren't as high as last year, but give it 'till the end of the year and I'm sure it'll be back to normal. He's still averaging an out of this world 28.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks a game. Last year, KD and the Thunder surprised everyone with their playoff berth. This year, they aren't underdogs anymore. Westbrook has been playing out of his mind, but this is still Durant's team. He's led the Thunder so far to a 27-15 record, which is good enough for third in the West.
My second pick is, Pau Gasol, who has been one of the best and most consistent forwards in the whole NBA since the beginning of the season. 18.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.0 blocks, while shooting 51.6% from the field and 82.5% from the charity stripe. Although guys like Kevin Love and Blake Griffin are averaging more points and rebounds, the difference is that Gasol is a main contributor to the 2nd best team in the West and the former guys are main contributors to losing teams. So it's hard to deny that Gasol deserves this starting spot.
Center
In all honesty, most of the top centers are in the East, so it's slim pickings for All-Star caliber centers in the West. If I could, I would stick Pau Gasol in the center spot and add Carmelo or Dirk into the second forward spot, but rules are rules. Gasol is listed as a forward. The one center who has been consistent, while contributing to a winning team is this man, Emeka Okafor. He's really started to fit into his role on this team nicely and has emerged as the defensive presence in the paint. The Hornets defense has really turned up this season and a large part of it is due in part to Okafor's ability to protect the rim. He's averaging 10.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, while also averaging 11.2 points on 59.4% shooting. He's been playing very well and deserves this start over any other center in the West.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Guards
I had a real hard time keeping Raymond Felton out of my picks, but the two best guards in the East so far have unquestionably been Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade. Derrick Rose has to be the best point guard in the league right now. Just watching him play and make unbelievable plays is amazing. He's led the Bulls to the 3rd (29-14) best record in the East. He's been hitting career highs in almost every statistical category averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 81.3% shooting at the free throw line. He's also upped his 3-point shooting to 1.6 a game at 38% per contest which are also career highs. With Boozer and Noah out for extended periods of time, it's been Rose who has been carrying the Bulls.
Not many people thought Dwyane Wade and LeBron James would mesh in Miami and it certainly looked that way in the beginning of the season. But now, Wade, along with James has led the Heat (30-13) to the 2nd best record in the East. Although he's not scoring as much as he used to, Wade is still getting 25.1 points a game, along with a career high 6.5 rebounds a game, and a solid 4.2 assists a game. Not only is Wade's offense solid, it's his defense that puts him among the elite. He's averaging 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks a game. It's numbers like these and a team with the 2nd best record in the East that gets Wade the second starting guard spot for the East.
Forwards
Unlike the West, the East's expansion of forwards is not quite as vast. Looking throughout the group, there are definitely only a few who stand out amongst the crowd. LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire are the clear favorites in my opinion. Personally, I believe LeBron James is still the best small-forward in the game and quite possibly the best player too. Even though his scoring is down, which is understandable due to him sharing the offensive load with Wade and Bosh, he's still averaging close to the same numbers he did in Cleveland. He is still getting rebounds, dishing the ball, and playing defense. Definitely still a starter in my book.
The Knicks (22-19) are finally back in the play-off hunt, which is largely due to the stellar play of Amare Stoudemire. He's been averaging a career high 26.4 points and helping the Knicks to be one of the best offensive teams in the league. He's been playing surprisingly well along side Felton and proving doubters wrong who though he couldn't play without Steve Nash. Stoudemire has been one of the best bigs in the NBA since the season started and he undoubtedly deserves this start.
Center
The best center in the NBA happens to be in the East, so that's why he'll start on this East All-Star team. His name is Dwight Howard. The Orlando Magic (27-15) are sitting at a very unimpressive 5th place in the East right now. This might be due to the fact that there has been a considerable change in the Magic personnel, but despite that, Dwight Howard has been playing well. He's averaging a career high 21.9 points and among the best in the NBA in rebounding with 13.1 a game. His presence inside (2.2 blocks a game) has also allowed the Magic to be a top defensive team in the league. No center affects the game at both ends of the floor like Dwight Howard does and that's the reason why he'll be starting on many future All-Star teams to come.


Do you guys agree or disagree with my picks? Feel free to comment!