My All-Star Reserves

Western Conference (Starters – A.I., Kobe, Carmelo, Tim Duncan, Yao)

PG – Chris Paul – 20.6 PPG, 10.5 APG, 3.9 RPG, 2.6 SPG. Chris Paul is having an MVP season for the NBA’s best team. He’s the only player in the NBA averaging over 20 points and 10 assists per game and he also leads the league in steals. Plus the game is in New Orleans, where his Hornets play (for now).
SG/PG – Baron Davis – 22.3 PPG, 8.1 APG, 4.8 RPG, 2.5 SPG. Baron Davis is one of the most exciting players in the league. Golden State is in playoff contention once again, thanks to B-Diddy, S Jax, and Nellie’s nutty offense.
SF/PF – David West – 19.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.4 APG. David West should get the hometown nod over players like Amare and T-Mac. He players hard every night and is on the team with the best record in the West.
PF/C – Carlos Boozer – 22.5 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.8 APG. Boozer has been a beast for Utah, although the Jazz has underachieved as a team.
C – Marcus Camby – 9.4 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.9 BPG, 1.1 SPG. The Defensive Player of the Year definitely deserves another all-star nod as he’s putting up sick numbers again this season.
PG – Steve Nash – 17.6 PPG, 11.9 APG, 3.5 RPG. You could make a case for Steve Nash to win MVP almost every season, this year not withstanding. His shooting numbers are ridiculous (52% FG, 48% 3PT, 91% FT) and the Suns are right behind the Hornets for the best record in the West, even though it seems like they’ve been struggling all season.
SG – Brandon Roy – 19.4 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.4 RPG. His numbers aren’t that spectacular, but he is the engine behind Portland’s surprise run towards the top of the Western Conference.

David West and Brandon Roy could lose their spots to the two Mavericks left off the list this year, but I think it would be a disservice to both of those players. However, Dirk and Josh would make the team a little more balanced, as its point guard and post player heavy. Deron Williams and Tony Parker miss out because of the stellar guard play this year and Amare and T-Mac have had better seasons. Al Jefferson is having a hell of a season, but his team sucks too bad for him to make it.

Left Off
C - Al Jefferson
PF – Dirk Nowitzki
SF – Josh Howard
PG – Deron Williams
PG – Tony Parker
C – Amare Stoudamire
SF – Tracy McGrady

Eastern Conference (Starters – J. Kidd, D. Wade, LeBron, KG, D12)

PG – Chauncey Billiups – 18.0 PPG, 7.1 APG, 3.0 RPG. Billups seems to be in much better rhythm this season. After last year I thought Detroit should’ve started over, but luckily for Pistons fans nobody reads my blog.
SG – Joe Johnson – 21.6 PPG, 5.4 APG, 4.3 RPG. He might lose this spot to Michael Redd or Ray Allen, but he means more to the Hawks and their playoff push than these numbers show. Plus I think he should’ve made it last year.
SF – Richard Jefferson – 24.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.8 APG. He’s balling this year, period. He might not make it, however, because the Nets have been pretty terrible. Turkoglu is making a late push and the Magic have a better record.
PF/SF – Josh Smith – 18.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.3 BPG, 1.9 AST. He’s finally become more than just a dunker. He also should finish 2nd behind Marcus Camby for Defensive Player of the Year. This young man has made himself a lot of money this season.
C – Chris Bosh – 22.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.2 APG. In addition to making a fool out of himself on Youtube, he’s actually having a great year.
SF – Caron Butler – 21.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.3 APG. He’s making that Kwame Brown trade look more lopsided by the day. He’s been holding it down in Washington with Arenas on the shelf and might have even made him expendable.
SF/SF – Paul Pierce – 20.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.1 APG. He’s been Boston’s go-to-guy this year, while KG has gotten most of the props. You can even say his effort has been under the radar.

For once, the fans have the right starting five, which makes picking the reserves much easier. Some of the fringe players might be replaced with guys on better teams, but Joe Johnson or Richard Jefferson getting left off won’t be too big of a snub, especially since their teams will likely be represented anyway.

Left Off
SF – Antawn Jamison
SG – Michael Redd
SF – Gerald Wallace
SG – Ray Allen
SF – Hedo Turkoglu