NBA Predictions: Players Who Will Be Snubbed Come 2012 All-Star Time

As long as there are awards given out and honors bestowed in professional sports, there will be players deserving of those honors who are snubbed from getting them. 

Being named to an NBA All-Star roster is a tremendous honor, but it is one that is losing credibility fast because the game has become more of a popularity contest than an actual honoring of the best players in the NBA.

Sure, there are players who deserve to be on the All-Star roster every year, like LeBron and Kobe; but more often than not, the All-Star vote comes down to who fans recognize rather than the actual best performers.

Ahead is a list of players who will undoubtedly fall victim to the favoritism of NBA All-Star voting, adding to the list of All-Star snubs.

Golden State Warriors SG Monta Ellis

2011 Production: 23.9 points, 7.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game

It's amazing that Warriors guard Monta Ellis has yet to make an NBA All-Star roster.  Ellis has been one of the most explosive PG/SG combos in the NBA over the past few years, and yet he's never stepped on the court for an All-Star game—which shows just how much of a popularity contest the game truly is.

Much like other guards in the Western Conference such as Kyle Lowry and James Harden, it's going to be hard for Ellis to make the All-Star roster over other "star" players like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, etc.  

One of the main reasons why Ellis has yet to make an All-Star roster—and why he won't in 2011-12—is because he doesn't play in a major market, which keeps him from getting the exposure he deserves.

Another reason why Ellis won't be an All-Star is because of his sexual harassment charges, which will undoubtedly tarnish the public's perception of him.  There's no doubt that Ellis deserves to be on the 2011-12 Western Conference All-Star roster, but unfortunately, he will be snubbed.  

Toronto Raptors PF/C Andrea Bargnani

2011 Production: 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game

Andrea Bargnani has always been a solid NBA player, but he's never really turned the corner—until this year.  Bargnani has helped solidify the Raptors' frontcourt with his solid production this year, helping Toronto to a 4-6 record—which isn't terrible for a team that many thought would be irrelevant yet again this year.

The most impressive improvement to Bargnani's game this year has been the increase in efficiency on the court, as evidenced by his shooting above 50.0 percent for the first time in his career.  Like other small-market players, the seven-footer will be kept off the Eastern Conference All-Star roster because many fans won't recognize his name like they recognize other centers/power forwards such as Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh.

If Bargnani wants to make his first All-Star appearance, the Raptors need to start winning, so he can gain exposure—or he needs to start averaging a double-double on the year, which will be hard to do.

Unfortunately in 2011-12, Bargnani will be another name added to the "snubbed" list of talented NBA players come All-Star time.

Milwaukee Bucks PG Brandon Jennings

2011 Production: 17.8 points, 6.0 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game

In only his third year in the NBA, Brandon Jennings has solidified himself as one of the top point guards in the league, with his knack for racking up assists and his ability to score like a true shooting guard.  His 2011-12 points and assists production is up from his career averages, and he's playing at a more efficient rate this year.

There are two reasons why Jennings will be kept from the 2011-12 NBA All-Star roster.  First is the fact that there is a lot of talent at the guard position in the Eastern Conference.  With players like Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo being household names, it will be hard for Jennings to make the roster instead of them.

Finally, Jennings will be kept off the All-Star roster because his team, the Milwaukee Bucks, are struggling right now, with a 3-6 overall record.  While players on bad teams do make All-Star rosters, the Bucks' lack of success has kept Jennings' production this year under wraps, which will be the main reason why he doesn't make the All-Star roster in 2011-12.  

Houston Rockets PG Kyle Lowry

2011-12 Production: 14.0 points, 9.7 assists 6.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game

Kyle Lowry has exploded onto the scene for the Rockets so far during the 2011-12 NBA season.  For most of the season, Lowry was one of a few players averaging a double-double, with 14-plus points and 10-plus assists.  After a rough outing against the Clippers a few days ago, Lowry's stats have dropped, but he is still worthy of getting an NBA All-Star nod.

One of the main reasons why Lowry will end up being snubbed form the Western Conference All-Star roster is that the Houston Rockets can't seem to win games.  This will keep Lowry from getting the exposure from All-Star voters who vote based on names they recognize rather than actual production they see on the court.

If Lowry can keep up his double-double averages until the All-Star break, there is a high likelihood that he could actually make the Western Conference's roster; but if not, he will be just another guy snubbed from making his first NBA All-Star appearance.  Better luck next year, Lowry.  

Oklahoma City Thunder SG James Harden

2011-12 Production: 17.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game

James Harden is one of the most under-appreciated players in the NBA.  In his third season in the league, he is still coming off the bench behind shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha, which might be a better fit for Harden, but there is no doubt that he deserves to be in the starting lineup for the Thunder.

Throughout his young career, Harden has been known for his defensive presence and his ability to hit big shots when his team has needed him to, and this year has not been any different.  Harden's season production is up significantly in all major offensive statistical categories such as points, rebounds and assists per game.

If Harden is snubbed from the 2011-12 All-Star roster, it won't be because he doesn't deserve it—it will be because fans recognize other players' names more than they do his.  With Spurs guard Manu Ginobili sitting out a few more weeks with a wrist injury, now is the perfect chance for Harden to make his first All-Star appearance.  The odds aren't in his favor, but it will be interesting to see how things play out.

Utah Jazz C Al Jefferson

2011-12 Production: 19.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks per game

Al Jefferson is having a great year for the Utah Jazz, who are doing surprisingly well this season, with a 6-3 overall record.  Here's a case of a player being snubbed just because there's not enough room on the All-Star roster for him.  Players like Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Kevin Love will potentially make the roster instead of Jefferson.  

After Mehmet Okur was traded away, the center position was Jefferson's for the taking, and he has done a solid job solidifying that position, giving rookie center Enes Kanter time to develop.

If Jefferson can get his averages above 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, he will stand a chance of making the reserve roster, but if he doesn't, there's a high likelihood that 2011-12 won't be his first NBA All-Star season.