The first voting numbers of the All-Star game ballots show that being great on the floor isn’t as important as popularity. LeBron James and Kevin Durant are obvious choices and easy picks to make for the starting lineups, but guys like LaMarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah might be more deserving that others who have gotten more votes than them, which brought us to create are own list of who should be in the All-Star game.
The 2014 edition of the NBA’s All-Star game will be in New Orleans, a second time it’s held in the city. It will be played on February 16, 2014. Balloting concludes on Monday, Jan. 20, and starters will be announced live on TNT on Thursday, Jan. 23.
Eastern Conference
Guards – John Wall, Dwyane Wade
It’s been an up and down start to the season for John Wall and the Washington Wizards at 9-13, but in the depleted Eastern conference, Wall isn’t just the most talented point guard currently healthy enough to play in the All-Star game (Derrick Rose, wink wink), he’s also proving most nights that he’s good enough to be an All-Star player, and that the Wizards weren’t too wrong about making him their franchise player with a mega deal, averaging 19.5 points and 9.3 assists per game. Dwyane Wade might be getting some rest in order to keep him fresh for the playoffs, but the Miami Heat are doing very well with him. He’s averaging 18.8 points per game, bringing his efficiency up even more, shooting a career high 52.8% from the field and almost avoiding three point shots at all costs.
Frontcourt – LeBron James, Paul George, Joakim Noah
The new system of choosing three forwards/centers doesn’t bode well for big men, but Joakim Noah fully deserves to be in the All-Star game. Playing on a crippled and damaged Bulls team, Noah continues to show what an intelligent player he is beyond the rebounds and the excellent defense, averaging 10.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists, also having to overcome an injury. Paul George is playing at MVP level right now, leading the Pacers to a 20-3 record (best in the league) while stepping up as a team leader and finisher, averaging 23.6 points per game, playing excellent defense and becoming much better in his decision making, shooting 46.6% from the field. LeBron James? Lets put it like that… He’s averaging 25 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists while looking like he’s not even trying on some nights.
Bench
Brook Lopez (Brooklyn Nets), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Arron Afflalo (Orlando Magic), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).
Western Conference
Guards – Chris Paul and Stephen Curry
This year no mistake will be made. Stephen Curry and the Warriors are struggling to cope with the injury to Andre Iguodala, but Curry himself is one fire with 24.1 points and 8.9 assists per game while shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc. Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers remain slightly below the rest of the top teams in the Western conference, but there’s no point guard in the league as good as him right now, averaging 19.7 points and 11.6 assists per game
Frontcourt – Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Lamarcus Aldridge
Kevin Durant might be the leader when it comes to MVP votes if the ballot would be held right now. His Thunder have the second best record in the West, averaging 28.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Aldridge leads the team with the best record in the West, simply doing what he always have, with more people paying attention. The numbers? 23.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Kevin Love is much of the same like Aldridge, only he’s a better passer and three point shooter on the unstable Timberwolves, putting up 25 points and 13.6 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% from beyond the arc.
Bench
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder), Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix Suns), James Harden (Houston Rockets).