2012 NBA All-Star Game: Early Predictions for the Eastern Conference Roster

With the NBA All-Star ballot just released, it doesn't leave a whole lot of room for surprises.

Especially in the Eastern Conference, where you can pretty much figure out who will make the team. Last year's Eastern Conference All-Star team didn't feature a player making his first All-Star appearance.

Barring a surprise or two, here's an early look at your 2012 Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Guard: Derrick Rose

The reigning MVP is certain to make his third All-Star appearance.

His 21.5 points and 8.5 assists per game averages definitely make Rose worthy.

Guard: Dwyane Wade

Wade will be heading to the All-Star game for the eighth time in his career and is putting up another solid season to date, stuffing the stat sheet in every column.

Guard: Rajon Rondo

Rondo will be a third-time All-Star and keeps getting better by the year.

He's currently averaging 16.5 points, 10.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Guard: Ray Allen

It will be the 11th time for Allen, who doesn't seem to slow down, averaging 20.0 points per game for the Celtics.

Guard: Deron Williams

Williams is the lone bright spot on a bad New Jersey Nets team, but should be able to represent the Nets and make his third All-Star appearance.

Forward: LeBron James

James is having another MVP-type season and with a stat line that reads 29.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, you can understand why.

He will make his eighth All-Star game appearance this year and will likely be the leading vote-getter from the fans once again.

Forward: Carmelo Anthony

Melo is just behind James in the scoring race at 27.8 points per game and will be an All-Star for the fifth time, but will be making his first appearance for the Eastern Conference.

Forward: Paul Pierce

Pierce is working his way back from injury and has only played in four games to date for the Celtics, but should make the 10th All-Star appearance in his career.

He's come out averaging 16.5 points per game, but that number should increase slightly as he rounds into form.

Forward: Chris Bosh

Bosh isn't being talked about too much this year but is having another solid season, averaging 18.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per night.  This year should mark the seventh time Bosh makes an All-Star roster.

Forward: Amar'e Stoudemire

Stoudemire's second season in New York should mark his second All-Star appearance as a Knick and seventh overall.

He's averaging nearly 20 points and 7.5 rebounds a game for a Knicks team that is struggling big-time at the moment.

Center: Dwight Howard

Assuming he's still a member of the Eastern Conference by the time the All-Star game rolls around, Howard is a lock to make his sixth All-Star appearance.

He's the NBA's leading rebounder at 16.0 per game and among the top 15 scorers in the league at 19.1 points per game.

Center: Al Horford

Horford's been an All-Star twice in the past and should do so again this season. The list of Eastern Conference centers isn't very impressive and Horford is one of the top two or three.

He's averaging 13.0 points per game, but his rebounding numbers are down at the moment.  I wouldn't expect it to be that way for long and by the time the team is announced, he will averaging closer to a double-double.

Center: Joakim Noah

With a 13th roster spot on NBA teams this season, we are going to include a 13th All-Star. That goes to Noah, who will make his first appearance.

The need for another big man is greater than the need for another guard and we will reward Noah for his hard work and great start to the season for the Chicago Bulls.