Dwight Howard Should Be Starting Center on NBA Eastern Conference All-Star Team

While I think it is a nice aspect of professional sports to let the fans have a say in the All-Star game, there are many times when the wrong choices are made due to a popularity contest.

Not only the fans have messed up over the years, but coaches have made some head-scratching decisions.  Travesties like Antonio Davis and Jamaal Magloire were even named to All-Star teams during the 2000s.  Allen Iverson made it onto a roster when he was far past his prime, much like what will probably happen with one or more of the Celtics' “Big Three” this season.

I am not saying this is what I think is going to happen; just what I think should happen regardless of position.  This year’s Eastern Conference All-Star team should feature the following players:

Starting Center

C Dwight Howard-Orlando Magic

Many people expected the Magic to fall back a little from where they have been the previous few years, but the Magic sit at 12-5 almost solely due to the play of the most dominant center in the league. 

He has had a little help from Ryan Anderson, one of the breakout players of the year, but has not received the expected level of production from former All-Star Jameer Nelson. 

This selection is an obvious one for any fan.  Not only will Howard likely win the defensive player of the year this year, he also leads the league in rebounding with a robust number of 15.6 per game, and he just became the Magic's all-time leading scorer passing Nick Anderson.

Starting Power Forward

PF Josh Smith-Atlanta Hawks                               

Despite the fact that Philips Arena cringes every time Smith throws up a jumper, he is producing at a high level on both ends of the court. 

He needs to improve his percentage from the charity stripe where he is shooting a measly 51 percent, but he is a game changer in many different ways.  He provides great energy for his team and plays with a lot of swagger.  He is a tremendous athlete that requires anyone who drives against the Hawks to alter their shot. 

If only he would stop attempting shots from behind the arc, he would be one of the elite players in the league.

Starting Small Forward

SF LeBron James-Miami Heat

Not much needs to be said about this one.  Even with Wade missing many games so far this season, LeBron has carried the Heat to one of the best records in the league and is on pace to win his third MVP this season unless Kevin Durant has something to say about it.

Starting Shooting Guard

SG Joe Johnson-Atlanta Hawks

A lot of people have questioned the mega-deal that Johnson received prior to last season because of his unwillingness to take over at crunch time in big games, but he still produces at a high level and can be an unstoppable scorer at times.

Johnson has a rare blend of size, post-up game, stand-still shooting and the ability to create for himself off the dribble.  Johnson has the Hawks in the division lead ahead of Orlando and Miami and should again be a tough out in the playoffs.

Starting Point Guard

PG Derrick Rose-Chicago Bulls

Much like LeBron, this is a no-brainer.  Rose affects the game more than any point guard in the NBA and is likely the most valuable player to his team.  Enough said.

Bench

Bench-Andre Iguodala-Philadelphia 76ers

The best player on the most surprising team in the NBA definitely deserves an All-Star spot.  Iguodala does everything well.

He is one of the premier defenders and steals guys in the league, he can score when he needs to and he is a remarkable athlete.  His scoring numbers may be down, but that is due to the talent around him getting better and other players stepping up.  Doug Collins has done a masterful coaching job with this group.

Bench

Bench-Chris Bosh-Miami Heat

There are many who would argue that Bosh should be the starter at power forward, and they may have a good point.

He is having a very nice and efficient season.  He is an extremely talented player when he wants to be.  The fact that he turns the ball over too much for a big man, and because he disappears occasionally on the defensive end, make Josh Smith the more appealing option to me right now.   

Bench

Bench-Roy Hibbert-Indiana Pacers

I have never been a big supporter of Hibbert.  His great NBA body and length never seemed to turn into the type of production that was expected when he came out of Georgetown.

However, he seems to be taking the necessary steps this year to be considered an All-Star.  Maybe it is due to the fact that the Pacers have surrounded him with better players including David West.

Or maybe he has just elevated his game to the level that the Pacers thought when they made a draft day trade with the Raptors for the 17^th overall pick in the 2008 draft.

His numbers have been great so far, and he has had a huge impact on a Pacers team that may be dangerous come playoff time.  He has helped make up for the fact that Danny Granger shoots too much and too poorly.

Bench

Bench-Deron Williams-New Jersey Nets

Watching the hapless Nets play the Bulls the other day, one thing came to mind throughout the entire game: Deron Williams is the only player on that team worth watching, and he is too good to be stuck with these kind of players around him.

Williams is putting up great statistical numbers including assists, despite the fact that he has no one to score when he dishes the ball.  He could be scoring 25 points a night, but his pass-first mentality gets in the way of that.

Bench

Bench-Carmelo Anthony-New York Knicks

Carmelo continues to put up All-Star numbers, but he has also taken away Amar’e Stoudemire’s All-Star status.  Stoudemire and Anthony just do not mesh well on the court and have not done so since Melo was acquired last season at the deadline.

This could change drastically if Baron Davis proves to still be a capable point guard.  If not, the Knicks need to be active before the trade deadline in order to obtain a true distributor (no offense to Iman Shumpert, who I think will be a solid role player in the NBA). 

Anthony is an elite scorer and has also picked up his defensive intensity this year.

Bench

Bench-Greg Monroe-Detroit Pistons

The only bright spot on a beleaguered Pistons team, Monroe has stepped up his game immensely since his rookie season.

He is a talented big man that has a multi-faceted game.  He can post up, shoot mid-range jumpers and even put the ball on the floor a little bit.  He is among the league leaders in efficiency, and puts up good scoring and rebounding numbers.

Bench

Bench-Luol Deng-Chicago Bulls

Tom Thibodeau has called Luol the “glue” of the Chicago Bulls many times.  Thibs has also highly praised his defense.  This is high praise coming from a coach who is never satisfied, especially when it comes to defense.

Luol is a viable number two scoring option alongside Derrick Rose, as well as a terrific mid-range shooter.  According to teammate Derrick Rose: "Lu is definitely going to make the All-Star team this year," Rose said. "If he don't, that would be cheating man. It would be cheating for sure."

Qualifications and Honorable Mention

Due to injuries, players like Al Horford and maybe even Dwyane Wade should be left off of this list.  Up until this point, Wade has only played nine games which is not enough to be considered in my opinion.  If he gets and stays healthy the rest of the first half, he is an All-Star without question.

I am well aware of the fact that I will likely get torn apart for excluding Rajon Rondo, but I simply cannot put a point guard who cannot shoot outside of 10 feet.

Watching players like Derrick Rose guard Rondo is comical; they do not even venture outside of the free-throw line.  Rondo is a terrific passer, but even with him passing to the likes of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (all of whom should be excluded from the All-Star team), the Celtics have not posted a winning record.  I would not be completely opposed to Rondo making the team and can certainly see the argument that everyone would make for his case.

Honorable Mention

Andrea Bargnani, Brandon Jennings (just not a good enough true point guard yet), Rajon Rondo, Ryan Anderson.