NBA All-Star Game Starters 2012: Which Starting Lineup Has the Edge?

On Thursday, we hoop-heads got a treat that will keep us fat and happy until February 26th. The NBA All-Star starters were announced, and that gives us a wealth of things to discuss—namely which squad has the advantage. 

Let's start by stating right off that this will not be about who would win a five-on-five game between the two teams, although I will certainly answer that conundrum. 

This is about what battles would be settled at each position. Each team will be lopping up cupcakes to be dunked and playing absolutely no defense. If we want to truly know how these teams are measured, we have to do it ourselves. 

We will dissect the talent position by position and deliver some results. But first, the lineups: 

Pos.	West	East
PG	Chris Paul	Derrick Rose
SG	Kobe Bryant	Dwyane Wade
SF	Kevin Durant	Carmelo Anthony
PF	Blake Griffin	LeBron James
C	Andrew Bynum	Dwight Howard

First off, these starters are just stupid. I would love to see these two teams suit up with something of actual substance on the line. That is when you would see some anger and passion fill the court along with the talent, but I digress. 

Point Guards

Chris Paul: 19.2 PPG, 9.1 APG, 3.5 RPG, 14 Games Played

Derrick Rose: 23.1 PPG, 7.7 APG, 3.3 RPG, 19 Games Played 

This is an ongoing debate that will only get more heated this season as the Clippers continue to dominate the West, but the defending MVP gets my vote. 

Let me start by stating that this is the closest race among every position. Both these guys are gamers that bring passion and tenacity to the court, and both have skills that are just filthy. 

The one thing I will say about Paul is that he is a far better defender. Other than that, I give the bulk of the edge to kid MVP. Rose is more explosive and a better interior scorer than Paul.

The passing skills between the two are far closer than you would think, as Rose has become more of a true point guard in the last couple seasons. 

Edge: East

Shooting Guards

Kobe Bryant: 30.0 PPG, 5.4 APG, 6.1 RPG, 22 Games Played

Dwyane Wade: 20.3 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.3 RPG, 13 Games Played 

Flash continues to be one of my favorite players whose toughness can't be questioned, but the Black Mamba is still the best guard in the NBA, and I don't care what ESPN says. 

Wade had to miss some time for injuries that any athlete would be sidelined for. Bryant has put up a league-leading 30 points per game with a torn ligament in his shooting wrist. 

If you are looking for a player that will actually play like he wants to win in the All-Star game, that is Bryant. The man has never played a game he didn't want to win. 

Edge: West

Small Forward

Kevin Durant: 26.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 21 Games Played

Carmelo Anthony: 23.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 18 Games Played

Things got a tad controversial when Carmelo Anthony was announced as a starter. His inclusion forces James to the 4, and it also highlights one of his worst seasons. 

The Knicks have not yet found a way for Melo and Amar'e Stoudemire to coexist on offense, and it serves to give us our easiest answer of the list. 

The Durantula will soon reign over the NBA all on his own. He is a pure shooter that can score from anywhere on the court. Anthony may be a gifted scorer, but Durant is an indefensible one. 

Edge: West

Power Forward 

Blake Griffin: 21.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 19 Games Played

LeBron James: 29.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 7.0 APG, 21 Games Played

I am not about to sit here and state Blake Griffin is a one-dimensional player. He has shown a great mid-range jumper and a far bigger propensity to use it. 

That being said, King James smokes him on versatility and talent. He even went out and refined his post game this offseason. Sorry Los Angeles fans, but Griffin has some growing up to do. 

Edge: East 

Center

Andrew Bynum: 16.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 18 Games Played

Dwight Howard: 20.1 PPG, 15.4 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 22 Games Played

Dwight Howard is the best defender and big man in the game, but the gap has closed slightly, with Bynum having emerged as a true perennial All-Star. 

Bynum may have more points if the Mike Brown offense kicks in at some point this season. What has me hopeful for Bynum's future is the determination he has shown on the defensive end. 

That being said, there is a reason the Lakers have been told to get their hands on Howard—he is the best big man in the game. 

Edge: East 

Conclusion

Edge: East

Like I said, this lineup is not made in a vacuum. They will be playing in a game where dunks and showboating will be valued well above the end result. 

This is why I could see someone like Blake Griffin getting a great deal of love early on, but that is not what this was about. 

We sliced up both teams and determined—in a very brief manner—which team has the edge. The balance of power has officially shifted to the East, where experience and talent reign supreme. 

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