The 2012 NBA All-Star Game, the L.A. Story by Jeff Little

 

It will be interesting to see L.A. Clippers’ Chris Paul and L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant play together in the same backcourt. The pairing will allow Lakers’ fans to see not only what could have been, but also what NBA commissioner David Stern did not allow to happen … for basketball reasons.

The Western Conference All-Stars reserves are: LaMarcus Aldridge (forward, Portland Trail Blazers, 1st selection), Marc Gasol (center, Memphis Grizzlies, 1st selection), Kevin Love (forward, Minnesota Timberwolves, 1st selection), Steve Nash (guard, Phoenix Suns, 8th selection), Dirk Nowitzki (forward, Dallas Mavericks, 11th selection), Tony Parker (guard, San Antonio Spurs, 4th selection) and  Russell Westbrook (guard, Oklahoma City Thunder, 2nd selection). Scott Brooks, head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will coach the West.

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic is the Eastern Conference leading vote-getter with 1,600,390 votes, earning his sixth consecutive All-Star game selection as the starting center. Joining Howard in the starting lineup are Derrick Rose (guard, Chicago Bulls, 3rd selection), Dwayne Wade (guard, Miami Heat, 8th selection), LeBron James (forward, Miami Heat, 8th selection) and Carmelo Anthony (forward, New York Knicks, 5th selection).

Eastern Conference All-Star reserves: Chris Bosh (forward, Miami Heat, 7th selection), Luol Deng (forward, Chicago Bulls, 1st selection), Roy Hibbert (center, Indiana Pacers, 1st selection), Andre Igoudala (forward/guard, Philadelphia 76ers, 1st selection), Joe Johnson (guard, Atlanta Hawks, 6th selection – Injured), Deron Williams (guard, New Jersey Nets, 3rd selection), Paul Pierce (forward, Boston Celtics, 10th selection) and Rajon Rondo (guard, Boston Celtics, 3rd selection as replacement for Joe Johnson). Tom Thibodeau, head coach of the Chicago Bulls, will coach the East.

The rosters for the exhibition game are chosen in two ways. The starters, selected via fan ballot and receiving the highest number of votes, consist of two guards, two forwards and one center. The reserves are voted on by NBA head coaches in their respective conferences. These coaches, however, cannot select their own players.

The All-Star game is said to be a mid-season showcase that features arguably the 24 best players the league has to offer but this statement is up for debate. Every year several deserving players go un-selected for whatever reason.

This year a strong case can be made for Ryan Anderson – Orlando Magic; he has had a breakout year averaging 16.5 points, logging 7.4 rebounds and shooting 43 percent from the 3-point line. James Harden – Oklahoma City Thunder; averaged 16.8 points, had 3.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and very efficient shooting numbers (47 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from the 3-point line and 86.9 percent from the free throw line). Harden is a stabilizing force on a Thunder team tied for the best record in the league.

Pau Gasol – L.A. Lakers, Brandon Jennings – Milwaukee Bucks, Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers; and Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson – Utah Jazz have all played well enough, made a solid impact on their teams and deserve to be in uniform today as All-Stars.