Shane Battier, Josh Smith, and Other All-Stars and Notables

AJ BradyJan 26, 2010

With the picks for the All-Star game reserves to be picked by coaches soon, I thought I would join many others and throw my picks out.

Mine are similar to others except for an exception or two, and the addition of some members of other categories, like those who play like All-Stars but are on bad teams. Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think.

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Forwards

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas

The most deserving non-starter, Nowitzki will be a shoe-in as a reserve. Nowitzki has led Dallas to third place in the Western Conference. while averaging 25 points and eight rebounds. Dirk is arguably the top power forward in the league.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City

As the third-leading scorer, Durant is an easy pick. He is averaging nearly 30 a game and has led the young Thunder team into playoff contention for the first time in their short history.

Guards

Brandon Roy, Portland

Brandon has led Portland through a difficult season, keeping them in the thick of the playoff fight despite losing tons—and the coach—to injuries. Roy is the ninth-leading scorer, and has also displayed improved defense, and, most importantly, immense leadership, and clutch skills.

Deron Williams, Utah

This spot is a near toss-up between Williams and Chris Paul. But since the Jazz are fourth and the Hornets are 10th, this spot falls to Williams by default. Williams is definitely the most important member of the Jazz, more than Carlos "Contract Year" Boozer, and is fourth in the league in assists per game.

Center

Pau Gasol, LAL

Chris Kaman can complain all he wants, but until he leads his team into the playoff fight, he should forget about being an All-Star. Gasol gets in by default as the second-best player on the best team.

Wild Cards

Shane Battier, Houston

I haven’t seen anybody put Battier into their lists of reserves, but if you look at Houston's record, they are four games over 50 percent, despite losing their top scorers from last year and having a road-heavy schedule.

Battier is the leader of that team and perhaps the best defensive player period. Though he may not be the most entertaining player, Battier should be rewarded for his defense, effort, and leadership and should be an easy pick. Unfortunately, that is unlikely.

Zach Randolph, Memphis

The Grizzlies have surprised most people by contending for playoff position. Randolph has led that charge, and leads the Grizzlies in scoring and is fourth in the NBA in rebounding, first in offensive rebounds.

Injury Replacement

Chris Paul, New Orleans

There is a good chance that out of all the players who have suffered injuries on this team, including Roy, Gasol, and Williams, one will decide to sit out. Paul should definitely be an All-Star and was frankly the only one, besides Chauncey Billups, who was difficult to exclude. If a spot becomes available, he should fill it.

Priority

1. Nowitzki

2. Roy

3. Durant

4. Williams

5. Battier

6. Gasol

7. Randolph

Last One Out

Chauncey Billups, Denver

Playing well for a good team. Can’t do anything else except for try and expand the roster.

Other Notables

Contract Year Stars

Carlos Boozer, Utah

Rudy Gay, Memphis

If Only the Team Was Better

Monta Ellis, GSW

Corey Maggete, GSW

Chris Kaman, LAC

Maybe Next Year

Andrew Bynum, LAL

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento

EAST

Forwards

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte

The Bobcats have established themselves as legitimate contenders for a playoff spot for the first time, in large part because of Wallace’s efforts. Wallace is averaging over a steal and a block every game, and is seventh in rebounding, despite being just 6’7". Throw in his 18 PPG and the Bobcats' winning record, and Wallace is undoubtedly and All-Star.

Paul Pierce, Boston

Boston is one of the best teams in the league right now, and Paul Pierce has led them in scoring, clutch plays, and has been a good perimeter defender.

Guards

Joe Johnson, Atlanta

Johnson is an easy pick, leading the Hawks as they fight tooth and nail with Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando for playoff position. He is averaging 21 PPG.

Rajon Rondo, Boston

Rondo leads the league in steals and is third in assists, while playing for one of the best teams. That’s enough to earn him an easy spot as a reserve.

Center

Chris Bosh, Toronto

The only thing that is in doubt is whether Bosh will be picked as a center or a forward for the East. He is eighth in the NBA in scoring and has led the Raptors to a sixth-place record in the Eastern Conference.

Wild Cards

Josh Smith, Atlanta

Smith’s improvements have helped Atlanta go from mediocre to top-flight. He is fourth in the league in blocks, averages over one steal per game, and gives decent amounts of points and rebounds.

Derrick Rose, Chicago

Rose gets the last spot by virtue of his team’s playoff seeding. He is undoubtedly the best player on the Bulls, and should see many more All-Star games in his future.

Injury Replacement

Danny Granger, Indiana

It was an oversight on my part to not include him at first, but now I don’t know if he can be put in there instead of a playoff guy when his team is so bad. Granger would be an All-Star shoe-in if he had a better team, and still should probably make it somehow.

Priority

1. Bosh

2. Johnson

3. Wallace

4. Rondo

5. Pierce

6. Smith

7. Rose/Granger

Last One Out

David Lee, NY

Other Notable

If Only the Team Was Better