Other than Tracy Morgan's moment (and TNT's subsequent apology), the highlight of last week's pregame was the naming of the All-Stars Starters (which are voted on by the fans) for both conferences.
The Coaches will dictate who will comprise the reserves. Each coach, however, cannot vote for his own players. Now each coach can be creative in designating positions, because there is a need to have at least one "Center" on the roster.
In the West, these are the starters:
Guard - Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
Guard - Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Forward - Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Forward - Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
Center - Yao Ming (Houston Rockets)
If I were a part of a NBA Coaching Staff, the following would comprise my choices for the West All-Star Reserves:
1. Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) - 3rd in the balloting among forwards this year.
2-3. Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) - The Spurs are the best team in the league.
4. Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers) - Carried the team while Kobe paced his way through the early part of the season.
5. Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) - If he elevated his game in the playoffs last year, he raised it to another level this season.
6. Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) - If CP3 is here, D-Will has to be here. He's on the pine, so there might be a possibility of an opening for someone.
7. Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) - At this point, we can no longer ignore his impact anymore. This is meant to be HIS weekend.
Injury replacement for Yao Ming
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) - As much as they are facing the wrath of Kaaaaaaaaahhhhhhnnnnnn, it is really hard to ignore the numbers and that double-double streak of his.
Close calls:
Big Men: Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies) , LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers), Luis Scola (Houston Rockets), Paul Millsap (Utah Jazz),
Guards: Monta Ellis (Golden State Warriors), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets), Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers)
The West is really loaded. So loaded, I can name a 2nd All-Star team from the snubs. That's why the Yao scenario provided a break which the NBA could plug someone in.
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