NBA All-Star Game: Predicting the Reserves

Well today is the best day for an NBA blogger all year, because we all get to moan and groan over which players got “snubbed” when the NBA announces their Eastern and Western Conference reserves tonight.

To have a little fun I am going to give you my reserves so you know who I think is deserving of the prestigious honor of being an All-Star.

Western Conference:

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks

All-Star credentials: Dirk is having a great season with the Mavs despite injury and is a lock to make the team every year. A gimmie selection right here.

Russell Westbrook, Thunder

All-Star credentials: One of the game’s brightest young stars Westbrook has improved as a shooter and scorer while playing on one of the league’s most exciting teams.

Deron Williams, Jazz

All-Star credentials: Another no doubt selection here. Deron Williams is a part of the new elite generation of point guards and has shown no signs of slipping this season.

Manu Ginobili, Spurs

All-Star credentials: While I would love to see Steve Nash in the game, and being a Canadian it is basically blasphemy not selecting him, Manu has had a huge year on the best team in the Western Conference. Hard to argue with his 18.8 PPG and clutch play so far.

Blake Griffin, Clippers

All-Star credentials: Seeing as this game is being played at Staples Center and Blake Griffin is the new “It” player, there would be so much bad press if he was somehow penalized for playing on a lottery team. The “bad team” argument is pointless in my opinion in the first place, if Griffin is not in this All-Star game I will be pissed as well.

Pau Gasol, Lakers

All-Star credentials: “The White Swan” is once again one of the NBA’s best post players and is on the defending champions. No argument here.

Kevin Love, Timberwolves

All-Star credentials: League’s leading rebounder (15.5) with (21.4 points) and 43 double doubles. If you tell me that isn’t an All-Star, you my friend, are a hater.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers

All-Star credentials: Will take Yao Ming’s “China Vote” All-Star spot. Deserving reserve having a career best season and is stepping up for a depleted Trail Blazers squad that is somehow still in the hunt.

Dark Horses, Steve Nash, Zach Randolph

Eastern Conference:

Rajon Rondo, Celtics

All-Star credentials: Plays for the Celtics. Having a crazy season statistically. Not much more you can say about him.

Paul Pierce, Celtics

All-Star credentials: Pierce has defied the laws of aging to have one of his best seasons and is fresh off a classic regular season performance against the Lakers on Sunday. Get your wheelchairs ready Staples Center.

Al Horford, Hawks

All-Star credentials: Classic throwback post player with 24 double doubles and is one of the under appreciated players in the NBA right now

Ray Allen, Celtics

All-Star credentials: On the doorstep of becoming the best three point shooter of all time. Nuff Said.

Andrew Bogut, Bucks

All-Star credentials: Great comeback from a horrific and disgusting arm injury last season, halting the Bucks playoff run, Bogut has went back to being the back to the basket threat he was before the injury and has silenced all the haters he had when he went first overall

Kevin Garnett, Celtics

All-Star credentials: Despite losing a step or two due to bad wheels Garnett remains the backbone of the Celtics and is one of the league’s most respected players.

Chris Bosh, Heat

All-Star credentials: Hard to say this, but Bosh has reached his numbers while accepting a lesser role and having to adjust to numerous setbacks, and is already a five-time All-Star. Can I go back to hating him now?

Dark Horses, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith

While there you have it, give me your list on who you think are the deserving All-Star reserves and check back later for more analysis of the selections.