All-Star Reserves

EAST                                              WEST

Dwight Howard                                  Andrew Bynum

LeBron James                                      Blake Griffin

Carmelo Anthony                                Kevin Durant

Dwyane Wade                                      Kobe Bryant

Derrick Rose                                         Chris Paul


Paul Pierce                                          Dirk Nowitzki

Chris Bosh                                            Steve Nash

Luol Deng                                         LaMarcus Aldridge

Roy Hibbert                                          Marc Gasol

Andre Iguodala                                     Kevin Love

Joe Johnson                                          Tony Parker

Deron Williams                                 Russell Westbrook


Missed the cut                                    

Josh Smith                                           Monta Ellis
Rajon Rondo                                       Kyle Lowry
Brandon Jennings                                Rudy Gay
Greg Monroe                                       Paul Millsap
Andrea Bargnani                                  Pau Gasol

Sub the Snubs

Josh Smith vs Roy Hibbert
Josh Smith is an exciting player whose game is tailor-fit for the all-star game. Not only is his offensive game high-flying, he also plays defense with 1.5 steals and 2 blocks per game. Since Al Horford went down, the Hawks are 9-3 thanks to the play of J-Smoove and he would make a great all-star. Though Hibbert has had a breakthrough year with 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds he still averages fewer steals (0.4) and blocks (1.4) than Smith. Hibbert will be considered for most improved player of the year, but he's at the ASG because of his size, 7'2", and the need for a backup centre. Greg Monroe could have been considered for backup centre, but the Pistons are 8-21 and the Pacers are 17-10. Winning counts.


Monta Ellis vs Tony Parker
Monta has been left off the all-star team for years now. A scoring point guard gets no love in the NBA. Russell Westbrook gets the all-star nod because he plays on the Thunder, the NBA's best young team, but the numbers between Ellis and Westbrook are almost identical. Ellis leads Parker in almost every statistical category except assists (Parker 7.7, Ellis 6.1) and field goal percentage. The Spurs are 19-9 mostly without Manu and the Warriors are 10-14 mostly without Curry, causing both Parker and Ellis to stand up. The argument could be made that Ellis is the more talented player, but winning counts.


Pau Gasol vs Marc Gasol
Marc's election to the all-star team is an attempt to get a Grizzlies representative in Orlando, though Pau has been statistically better than Marc this season. Marc has earned this spot by filling the gap in the Memphis frontcourt caused by Zach Randolph's partial MCL tear. Memphis is 14-14, while Los Angeles is 16-12. Pau is averaging 16.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while Marc is averaging 15.0, 10.0 and 2.8, but Marc has a slight edge in blocks and steals with 2.2 and 1.1 compared to Pau's 1.2 and 0.5. Marc has been able to amass these stats without sharing the frontcourt, while Pau's numbers are certainly diminished by the presence of all-star starting centre Andrew Bynum on the Lakers. Pau's numbers rival Bynum's (who shoots just 58% from the line compared to Pau's 80%, I might add) but only one is an all-star. Pau deserved a spot, but was the odd man out.


Paul Millsap vs Dirk Nowitzki
I don't know how everybody thought that the coaches wouldn't select last years' Finals MVP tot eh all-star game. Though Dirk has had a tough time hitting his stride this season, his star status and reigning NBA champion status should earn him an automatic bid even though Dirk himself admitted he wasn't worthy of a selection based on numbers and team wins. Paul Millsap's inspired play this season made many people think he'd earn an all-star selection, but he lost out to the 'lifetime achievement' vote. Dallas is 17-11 and has improved throughout the year while the Utah Jazz are 14-12. Millsap averages 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while Dirk averages 18.3, 6.2 and 2.3. The most telling stat is that Millsap is shooting 0.308 from three, while Dirk is shooting just 0.239 from deep this season. Utah fans want a player in the all-star game, but Dirk's resume and recent achievements more than give him the benefit of the doubt.


In the end it's a tough call. Team records sometimes matter, and sometimes don't. Personal statistical measures often matter, and sometimes they don't. And sometimes the all-stars selected are just the biggest stars in the NBA regardless of record or statistics; their image and clout speak for themselves. It's not a pretty, or even necessary process, and as unscientific as it is, it's all for fun anyways.

To the guys that made it - congrats. Don't go and get a big head.
To the guys that didn't - it's just an all-star game. Prove you matter when it really counts.