NBA All-Star Game 2012: Predicting Reserves for Each Conference

By (Correspondent) on February 3, 2012

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I did not surprise a lot of people when the starting five for the NBA All-Star game came out and the Heat and Los Angeles teams made up over half the rosters.

With the starting five named for the NBA All-Star game coming up February 26, all that remains to be known now is who will snag the remaining reserve spots on each side.

Western Conference: LaMarcus Aldridge

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Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Just barely missing the All-Star game last year, LaMarcus Aldridge is posting nearly identical numbers as he did a season ago.

With his great personality and averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 boards per game, Aldridge is sure to make the team this year.

Western Conference: Kevin Love

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Rob Carr/Getty Images

Named to the All-Star team for the first time in 2011 Kevin Love will undoubtedly be returning to the All-Star mix again.

Last year he was averaging 20 points and 15 boards per game, while this year his points have increased to 25 per game and he is still managing to grab 13 boards per game.

Western Conference: Russell Westbrook

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Elsa/Getty Images

Russell Westbrook will most likely join his teammate, Kevin Durant, in Orlando.

Some of his stats have fallen off a bit since last year. Most notably he is only averaging 5.7 assists this year compared to 8.2 in 2011.

Westbrook has started making a late push and solid case to be an All-Star reserve.

Western Conference: Marc Gasol

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Marc Gasol is really beginning to emerge as one of the most dominant centers in today's game.

Averaging a double-double at 14.7 points to go along with 10.6 boards per game, he has improved by at least three points and boards since last year.

I cant think of a better center right now to back up Andrew Bynum than Marc Gasol.

Western Conference: David Lee

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

David Lee is a great player that tends to fly under the radar because his team doesn't win a lot of games or make much noise.

Lee has quietly put together and All-Star season so far averaging nearly 19 points and 11 rebounds per game this season.

You can not ignore the season David Lee is putting together.

Western Conference: Kyle Lowry

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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Kyle Lowry has been a big reason the Houston Rockets are in the position that they are currently in.

Averaging nearly 15 points, eight assists and six boards per game, Lowry has improved a lot in each statistical category.

Lowry would be a great selection to back up Chris Paul at point guard.

Eastern Conference: Rajon Rondo

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 06:  Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics goes up for the shot as A.J. Price #12 of the Indiana Pacers defends on January 6, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Boston Celtics 87-74. NOTE TO USE
Elsa/Getty Images

Even though Rajon Rondo is currently hurt, his season up to that point was stellar.

Averaging 15 points and 9.4 assists per game, Rondo should be picked to be on the team even if he doesn't play.

With the Celtics struggling earlier in the season Rondo took an extra load of the offense upon himself.

Eastern Conference: Amare Stoudemire

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Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Amare Stoudemire this year is having one of his worst offensive years in his career, averaging only 18.4 points a game.

I say only with a grain of salt because he is down nearly seven points from his 25.3 average in 2010-11.

This poor showing this year cost him his starting spot on the roster, but his stats are still very solid so he should at least make the reserves.

Eastern Conference: Josh Smith

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Josh Smith this year is another player who seems to be quietly putting together another great season.

The only question is, has it been too quiet that he wont get any votes for the All-Star reserve selection?

Averaging over 15 points per game with nearly nine boards to complement, Smith is a viable option for the reserves.

Eastern Conference: Andre Iguodala

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Andre Iguodala is someone that does a little bit of everything from score to rebounding to helping others score.

Iguodala is one of only four players this year to have registered a triple-double.

Averaging just over 13 points, five assists and nearly seven rebounds a game Iguodala is deserving of an All-Star spot.

Eastern Conference: Chris Bosh

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The "Big Three" from Miami will all make the Eastern Conference All-Star team one way or another.

Chris Bosh has been huge for the Heat this year especially when Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have sat out due to injuries.

His ability of step up when Miami really needs him to definitely makes him All-Star caliber.

Eastern Conference: Paul Pierce

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Elsa/Getty Images

The second Boston Celtic to make the team will probably be Paul Pierce.

He has really started to turn up his intensity and game since Rajon Rondo went down with his wrist injury.

Although his points are slightly down this year, 17.8, his assists and three-point shooting percentage have both gone up to make up for the point difference.

With nearly 18 points per game and over five boards and assists, Pierce should make the reserves. 

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