What makes an NBA All-Star?
The biggest event for basketball fanatics worldwide will commence next week. Even in this lockout-shortened season, the All-Star Game promises to bring life back to a dreary season. The starters have been voted in by the fans all over the world. What will make players be part of the All-Star team? Team record? Statistics? A bit of both? Here are some players who I think should be included in the game for the East and West teams, considering their records and individual statistics.
LaMarcus Aldridge, F-C, Portland Trailblazers. If there’s anyone who should be first among all the reserves, it’s LaMarcus Aldridge. He should’ve been included last year but he was one of the biggest snubs, ever. I must admit, I am a big fan of LMA since he was playing for Texas in the US NCAA. Since Tim Duncan has come over from Wake Forest, he’s arguably the most sound power forward in the NBA right now. Yes, rebounding seems to want more, but LMA has been constantly improving on that end. Averages of almost 23 points a game with 9 rebounds and a block this season will net you a a sure spot in an All-Star game. In case you might be wondering, Chicago’s front office must be shaking its head when they traded away a sure-fire All-Star back in the 2006 Draft for a bust named Tyrus Thomas.
Chris Bosh, F, Miami Heat. I was astounded Carmelo Anthony got voted to start in this year’s ASG. Chris Bosh was typically outplaying BOTH Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on all fronts of the game. He has been a beast with Dwyane Wade gone playing off of LeBron James well. He’s starting to shed his “soft” tag. Anthony has been playing very bad since the Nuggets traded him to the Big Apple.
Russell Westbrook, G, Oklahoma City Thunder. Like Aldridge, this is a lock. He’s the fire that starts Kevin Durant’s engine and the whole of the Thunder. His assists might have dipped this year but that is because Durant has been taking a bigger role in ball distribution this time around. Russ still remains one of the most powerful point guards in muscling his way to the basket. Well, if you’ve got the build of Dwyane Wade with the strength of Deron Williams, you would be brutally emasculating your way to the paint. What’s more interesting with Westbrook is that, while he sure chucks a lot of shots sometimes, he’s willing to defer to the big dog when it’s time.
Joe Johnson, G-F, Atlanta Hawks. JJ has been keeping the Hawks afloat in the absence of a gaping hole in the middle with Al Horford’s injury. With some help from Josh Smith, the Hawks have stayed in the playoff hunt. Of course they wouldn’t be going far what with Horford, their true anchor, gone.
Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers. I wanted Danny Granger to be the one representing the Pacers but that isn’t happening. Why? Hibbert has been the most instrumental in their success lately. Given Granger can score, but unless he decides to bring it closer from 18-20 feet, he won’t be an All-Star. And with Joakim Noah flagging at the start of the season and Spencer Hawes seeming to have disappeared, for now, Roy Hibbert is the only center to back up Superman Dwight Howard in Orlando.
Kevin Love, F, Minnesota Timberwolves. The foot-stomping incident sure is bad. But the record of the T-Wolves definitely isn’t. With Ricky Rubio and Luke Ridnour running things, it has been pretty smooth to get K-Luv his touches. Minnesota may be playing borderline playoff basketball and Kevin Love is the reason to blame. He has upped the ante from last year’s campaign. So far, he only has two games in which he didn’t log at least 15 points and snag 10 boards. Golly wow I say.
Paul Millsap, F, Utah Jazz. Millsap has been playing like an All-Star for the most part of the new millenium. He was more reliable than Carlos Boozer was in Boozer’s waning days in Utah. And now, while Al Jefferson has been very productive for them, so is Millsap. It justifies that big contract he got. While this may surely stagnate former third overall pick Derrick Favors, it’s not entirely bad for the team if your best forward goes to Orlando.
Andre Iguodala, G-F, Philadelphia 76ers. Elton Brand may have had a resurgence. But the reason Philly is up in the standings is because of Iggy. Think of him as a more athletic Luol Deng. Lockdown Defense, steals, block, rebounds, assists and points across the board? Iguodala has been Philly’s leader and gives 76ers fans something to cheer for recently. Kindly hand him an All-Star Game jersey.
Jrue Holiday, G, Philadelphia 76ers. Holiday has progressed faster than I envisioned a year ago. Why? When he entered the league, he was raw. He’s a six-foot-seven-inch point guard. Great defensive length and tendencies, I thought. Could he play offense? I didn’t think so. Now? He’s hoisting up smooth jumpers and three point shots. Not only that, he gives stability in the backcourt for the 76ers. In my books, he’s moving ahead of Deron Williams.
Ty Lawson, G, Denver Nuggets. This is not due to my North Carolina bias. If it were, I’d be campaigning for Tyler Hansbrough. Lawson deserves this. He’s the motor of the revamped Nuggets. He has transformed them, with the helpf of George Karl, into a lean-mean running machine. It’s like Carolina all over again for Ty as he drives the Nuggets upcourt much faster than how he ran Roy Williams’ vaunted fastbreak. And George Karl said it himself, Ty has been the motor of the Nuggets so might as well give the lightning-quick guard his All-Star Game jersey.
