NBA All-Star Team: Early Predictions for the Western Conference Roster

While the Eastern Conference All-Star team features more of a veteran team, the Western Conference team has a bit of a younger feel to it.

Last season's Western Conference team featured six players making their second or fewer All-Star game appearance.

All six of them should be back on this year's team along with a few more newcomers.

Here's a look at what the Western Conference All-Star team could look like.

Guard, Chris Paul

Paul is no stranger to the All-Star game but this will be the first time he will be going representing the Los Angeles Clippers.

He's having another great start to the season, ranking fourth in the NBA in assists and leading the league in steals.

It will be the fifth time Paul will be making an All-Star game appearance.

Guard, Kobe Bryant

No player in this game has as many All-Star game appearances as Bryant, who will be making his 14th appearance.

He's off to a tremendous start to the season and is currently fourth in the NBA in scoring at 25.9 points per game.

Guard, Steve Nash

Nash will make one more All-Star game appearance for old times sake.

His numbers are a little down at 11.5 points and 8.7 assists per game for a struggling Phoenix Suns team, but Nash will find a way onto the Western Conference roster.

Guard, Russell Westbrook

Westbrook was a first time All-Star a season ago and will return for an encore.

The young guard is averaging a solid 17 points, five rebounds and five assists so far after a slow start to the season. Those numbers will look even better by the time the Western Conference team is announced.

Guard, Monta Ellis

The last guard spot could go to Houston's Kyle Lowry, but we are giving it to Ellis who is having a good start to the 2012 season and is averaging over 20 points and eight assists per game.

He will be the first Golden State All-Star selection in the 2000's.

Forward, LaMarcus Aldridge

Aldridge has been nothing short of outstanding for the Blazers. He probably should have made the team a season ago but that won't be an issue this season.

His numbers, 22.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, make him a lock.

Forward, Kevin Durant

Durant will be heading to his third All-Star game in his young career and is there an All-Star game MVP waiting for him?

The two-time scoring champion currently ranks third in the NBA in scoring at 26.1 points per game.

Forward, Blake Griffin

The All-Star game is made for the high-flying Griffin who will be heading there for the second time already.

He's a double-double machine and is as exciting as they come. The only question is will he defend his slam dunk title?

Forward, Pau Gasol

Gasol is still getting it done, averaging a near double-double so far on the season and has a chance to be an All-Star for the fifth time in his career.

Forward, Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki is second to only Bryant is Western Conference appearances as he will make the team for the 11th time in his career.

While the Mavericks have struggled to defend their title, Nowitzki's still playing at a high level as he's one of the NBA's top 10 scorers at 22.1 points per game.

Forward, Kevin Love

Love made the team a season ago as an injury replacement, but the automatic double-double won't have to wait for someone to get hurt this season.

He's numbers are off the charts, ranking him fifth in the NBA in scoring at 25.7 points per game and second in the league in rebounding at 15.0 boards per contest.

Center, Andrew Bynum

Since Bynum has returned to the Lakers lineup after serving his suspension, he has been out of this world averaging 22.7 points and 17.0 rebounds per game. It's only been three games, but if Bynum can keep this up, he's the best center in a weak Western Conference crop.

Center, Marc Gasol

Gasol may be the next best center in the Western Conference and is having a good year for the Memphis Grizzlies.  He's the fourth leading rebounder in the NBA at 10.2 rebounds per game and is also averaging double figures in points.

If he is selected as an All-Star for the first time, he could get the opportunity to play with his brother Pau.