With the all-star weekend soon approaching I figured it was time to show you who REALLY deserves a spot in the infamous game. As you probably have observed over the years, fan voting usually skews the starting line-ups quite badly. This year is no exception, with the likes of Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett in the starting fold one has to wonder when the league will take away the fan voting all together. Until then, I’ve compiled a list of the “should be” players in the all-star game by looking at stats and team records. Hope you enjoy, give me your feedback especially if you feel I snubbed someone.

West starters:

Steve Nash: Don’t think Nash should be starting? Here’s a fun fact that might change your mind, through 47 games this season Nash is averaging nearly as many points and MORE assists then when he won back to back MVP’s a few years ago. He’s doing all this with a much less talented team then he had to work with back then, and in the mean time the Suns are right in the playoff mix in a competitive West.

Kobe Bryant: Another incredible year for the future hall of famer. Bryant is posting his usual impressive stat-line and has his Lakers on their toes as they look to repeat for the first time since their three-peat between 2000-2002. Not much else to say here, his play speaks for itself and anyone who knows basketball knows Bryant is an all-star.

Carmelo Anthony: Although he has cooled down from his MVP calibre play at the beginning of the season Carmelo Anthony is still putting up remarkable numbers including a career high 29ppg. To top that off, Anthony’s Nuggets are currently sitting at 2nd place in the West and that’s coping with all the injuries they have key players. If the Nuggets can solve those injury woes look for them to challenge the Lakers for the number one spot.

Carlos Boozer: Probably the toughest call at any position in either conference, but in the end it came down to Boozer or Duncan getting the starting nod. The deciding factor? Boozer’s Jazz are 4-0 against the Spurs this season, and considering his team has a better record and his stats are slightly better Boozer is probably deserving. Boozer is averaging an impressive 19.4ppg and 10.8rpg while shooting 54% from the floor. Even with these impressive stats it remains to be seen if the Jazz will hang on to the power forward or deal him before the Feb 19th deadline.

Tim Duncan: I kind of felt like an idiot after debating for twenty minutes who should start between Boozer and Duncan when I realized, hey, they can both start. Mr. Fundamental is also Mr. Consistent as he has shown no drop off statistically despite turning 34 this spring.

West Reserves (no particular order):

Dirk Nowitzki: Another solid year for Disco Dirk, he’s averaging 25.2ppg and 7.9rpg while shooting just under 40% from the land beyond. The Mavs are also right up there in the West as they sit just four and a half games back of the Lakers for first place.

Kevin Durant: The third year man continues to improve on his unruly stats from a year ago by posting career highs in points, assists and rebounds (29.3, 3.0, 7.3.) As impressive as that stat line is, not one of those categories is better than LeBron’s numbers in his third year. But even the fact that I’m comparing him to LeBron tells you just how good this kid is. His team is also just a surprising one game out of a playoff spot as Durant will look to carry OKC to their first playoff berth in franchise history.

Chris Paul: Chris Paul continues to make something out of nothing in the Big Easy. No other Hornet is even being considered for the all-star team yet Paul manages to post 20.1ppg and 11.1apg. Imagine if this guy had something to work with.

Deron Williams: This would surprisingly be Deron Williams’ first all-star game appearance. But contrary to what I said about Rondo earlier, it is more of an attribute to the depth and talent at the PG position in the West then to Williams not being all-star worthy. He consistently posts great numbers and always has the Jazz in the hunt. His numbers are actually down from a season ago, but they are still impressive and a spot here is long overdue for the fifth year Olympic champion.

Amare Stoudamire: Stoudamire is one of the most frustrating players to watch. Some nights he’ll show up and others you’ll spend the entire game wondering if he’s hurt or something. The guy has all the athleticism in the world and an incredible point guard to work with yet can never seem to take the next step in his game. He’s averaging his lowest PPG in three years, but his numbers across the board are still imposing. I guess a career average of 21ppg and 9rpg isn’t the worst thing in the world, but when you’re posting better numbers when you were 22 opposed to 28 one has to question your work ethic.

Brandon Roy: Brandon Roy is really taking over as the team’s leader this year. He has kept the Blazers among the best despite Greg Oden suffering his second season ending injury and a bunch of injuries to other players on the team. The Blazers have proven to be the most resilient team in the league and much of that should be attributed to the consistent play of their promising fourth year guard.

Zach Randolph: Yes ladies and gentlemen Zach Randolph is all-star worthy. Not because of the numbers he’s posting (21.0ppg and 11.6rpg) but because of his teams surprising success. What? All a sudden caused Randolph’s individual statistics to rub off on the team’s success, I don’t know and I’ll probably never know, but at this point I’m just going to let it be.

Eastern Conference "Should Be" All-Stars

Fraser Wayne

TheNBAScoop