Western Conference:
Guard:
My Choice - Chris Paul
Actual Choice - Chris Paul
There is no debate here. Chris Paul has led the Clippers to a 13-6 record and in the thick of things when it comes to the Western Conference. In his first year in Los Angeles, Paul is averaging 19.2 PPG and 9.1 APG, he hasn't missed a beat. He has led the campaign into making the Clippers arguably the most exciting team to watch int he NBA. This time last year they were an afterthought when it comes to playoff discussion. CP3 has made a guy like DeAndre Jordan a household name and although Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City is having a great year, there is no doubt Chris Paul is the best point guard in not only the Western Conference, but the entire NBA.
Guard:
My Choice - Kobe Bryant
Actual Choice - Kobe Bryant
Another one where I think it's a no-brainer. There is not a single shooting guard in the West who is even remotely close to Kobe when it comes to leadership and consistent high level of play. He is far and away the best shooting guard in all of the NBA. Kobe is averaging 30 PPG, 5.4 APG, & 6.1 RPG in his 15th year in the league. Kobe is having an MVP caliber year at the age of 33 and has been doing so with a banged up wrist. This guy is amazing and without a doubt, the greatest player of this past decade. Unlike Tim Duncan & Kevin Garnett last year, this is not a lifetime achievement award to Kobe, he's legitimately an all-star.
Forward:
My Choice - Kevin Durant
Actual Choice - Kevin Durant
Not only do I believe Durant is a starter for the all-stars in the West, but also the MVP of the entire NBA thus far. He's one of those guys who can hit a shot from pretty much any spot on the floor and needs to be accounted for at all-times when in the game. 26.6 PPG & 8.1 RPG shows that not only does he nail his shots, but also goes that extra mile to pull down the rebounds. He has led the Thunder to the top of the Western Conference and I think eventually to the NBA Championship game.
Forward:
My Choice - Kevin Love
Actual Choice - Blake Griffin
I refuse to accept the argument that Blake deserves to be the starting all-star over Kevin Love because is team is winning. Why? Because people only use that when it's convenient. Fact is, Love has better stats all around than Griffin, Blake just have more highlight plays. Overall, Kevin Love is a better player. 25.3 PPG & 13.6 RPG vs 21.6 PPG & 11.2 RPG, Love can drift out and hit a 3 while pulling down every single rebound that comes within his vicinity. Kevin Love is the best power forward in the NBA.
Center:
My Choice - Andrew Bynum
Actual Choice - Andrew Bynum
The center position in the West is a bitch to choose. Bynum seems to be the all-star by default because he has decent numbers with 16.5 PPG & 12.1 RPG, not to mention 1.9 BPG. Here's where I wish we could just slot in a guy like LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers to play the center position for the West, because he's much more deserving than Bynum, who is the 3rd best player on his own team behind Kobe & Pau Gasol.
Reserves:
Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Kyle Lowry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson, Monta Ellis, Rudy Gay
Eastern Conference:
Guard:
My Choice - Derrick Rose
Actual Choice - Derrick Rose
You'd be hard pressed to find a more dynamic player in the NBA than Derrick Rose. Averaging 23.1 PPG and 7.7 APG, Rose is one of those rare players that is top 10 in scoring and assists per game. He was the MVP last year, the youngest in the history of the NBA and has played through a sprained toe throughout the year. His athleticism is insane and has led the Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference for most of the season. Get used to seeing Rose starting for the East, he's going to be the face of point guards in the East for years to come.
Guard:
My Choice - Dwyane Wade
Actual Choice - Dwyane Wade
Due to the shortened NBA season, injuries are not as big of a negative when it comes to determining all-stars as it is in other years. Wade is simply head and shoulders above all other shooting guards in the East and it's impossible to make a case for anyone to take the floor over him. Averaging 20.3 PPG and 5.5 APG, Wade is able to take a backseat to LeBron if need be and also take over a game if he has to. Very few players are as versatile as Wade.
Forward:
My Choice - LeBron James
Actual Choice - LeBron James
Regardless of how you feel about the guy, LeBron James is overall, the best player in the NBA. His talent is unmatched and downright freakish. It's shocking that a guy with his insane amount of talent has gone nearly a decade without winning a championship, but God knows he's trying. He's averaging 29.7 PPG, 7.0 APG, & 8.3 RPG for that dangerous Heat team that is sure to be battling it out for the NBA Championship once the summer comes rolling around.
Forward:
My Choice - Andre Iguodala
Actual Choice - Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is the sexy choice here, averaging 23.7 PPG & 6.6 RPG, which are pheomneal numbers, don't get me wrong, but he's missed games and leads the most disappointing team in the NBA. He plays zero defense, where Andre Iguodala is quite possibly the best perimeter defender in the NBA. The all-star game is about excitement and offense though, so I understand why Carmelo was voted in. Still believe he should be coming off the bench though.
Center:
My Choice - Dwight Howard
Actual Choice - Dwight Howard
Don't get so used to seeing Dwight in a Magic uniform, after the all-star game, this may not last much longer. I think he's going to be traded once the all-star game in Orlando is finished and whoever gets him will have the best center in the NBA, by far. If someone asked me to make a top 10 list of centers in the league, I would be tempted to fill it out with nothing but write-ups about Dwight Howard. No one even compares. If someone were to try and tell me Dwight isn't the best center in the league, I'd go ahead and consider them certifiably insane.
Reserves:
Andre Iguodala, Chris Bosh, Josh Smith, Rajon Rondo, Danny Granger, Brandon Jennings, Deron Williams
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