The Sports Inquirer

Time for my picks for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game.  The entire official roster will be named on Thursday.

 

Music to listen to: The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails

First my Eastern Conference starters:

 

G- Derrick Rose (Chicago) Has been the leader for a Chicago squad that has dealt with injuries to second and third-best player for major portions of the season.  Has finally found jump shot, which has made him nearly impossible to guard.

G- Dwayne Wade (Miami) Still a major force on both ends of the floor and has adjusted his game the best with the new additions to the Heat.

F- LeBron James (Miami) When he doesn’t rely too much on his jumper, James is the best player in the NBA.

F- Amar’e Stoudemire (New York) Has not only been just as productive without Steve Nash in New York, has brought energy to the Knicks, improved his rebounding and gives a decent effort on defense

C- Dwight Howard (Orlando) We may be looking at the best defensive center ever (save the Bill Russell back talk) when Howard is finished with his career.  Has found offensive game this season.

 

My EC reserves:

C-Al Horford (Atlanta) Continues to be the defensive standout for a squad that struggles in this department.  This spot certainly could have gone to Joakim Noah if he didn’t get hurt.

F- Kevin Garnett (Boston)  On-court antics shouldn’t take away from acknowledgement that he’s a defensive presence for the top team in the conference.

F- Paul Pierce (Boston) Has been the most valuable Celtic all season because he leads the team in scoring and has stayed healthy for the entire first-half.

F- Chris Bosh (Miami) Had a bad first 20 games of the season by his standards but has proved to be an essential interior player for the Heat

G- Rajon Rondo (Boston) He’s the league leader in assists

G- Ray Allen (Boston) Having four Celtics on the team is much but he deserves to be in this spot

G- Joe Johnson (Atlanta)  His efforts in January has made him the 12th man on this squad

 

EC snubs:

Joakim Noah (Chicago) and Carlos Boozer (Chicago) Injuries derailed their All-Star efforts

Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee) Playing hard but not well enough on a disappointing Bucks squad

 

My Western Conference starters:

G- Chris Paul (New Orleans) Returning to peak condition after severe knee injury

G- Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) Despite the drama that sometimes follows him, Bryant is still a top-five NBA player currently and top-10 all-time

F- Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City) Still leading the league in scoring and continuing to improve his overall game

F- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) Was the undisputed MVP of the first-half until he missed nine games with knee sprain.  Shooting over 54% from the field

C- Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers) He started 31 games at center this year and is an easy choice to replace Yao Ming.

 

My WC reserves:

G- Deron Williams (Utah) Paul and Rose are having slightly better first halves of the season but Williams still arguably is the best point guard in the game

G- Manu Ginobili (San Antonio) Has easily been the most valuable player for the Spurs, the best team in the West

G- Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City) Has elevated his game to reach this spot

G- Tony Parker (San Antonio) The Spurs should have at least two players and Parker is having an excellent year

F- Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) Not only has he been the most exciting player in NBA this season, has numbers to back up this spot

F- Kevin Love (Minnesota)  Yes, the Timberwolves are terrible, but Love is the best rebounder in the league and averages 20 ppg to boot.

F- Tim Duncan (San Antonio) Yes, his numbers are down but the West needs size and I have a sneaking feeling that David Stern is going to name Duncan to the squad anyway.

 

WC snubs:

 

Steve Nash (Phoenix) Still playing at an elite level but the guards position is loaded

Monta Ellis (Golden State) Having a career year, but in same situation as Nash

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland) Has transitioned his game from exclusively on the perimeter to become a solid post player

Kevin Martin (Houston) Statisticians would argue for him to be on the squad because of his efficient scoring rate

Eric Gordon (LA Clippers) Forgotten man in Clippers revival

Rudy Gay (Memphis) Finally showing his full potential in Memphis

Luis Scola (Houston) Been a bright spot for the Rockets after loss of Ming

 

Those are my ballots, what are yours?