NBA All-Star Game 2012: Last-Second Projections for All-Star Reserves

The 2012 All-Star Game rosters will include a lot of talented players, and there is no question that there will be deserving snubs among the reserves selected on Thursday, February 9.

There are candidates who have had a great season and compelling cases can be made on their behalf, but the All-Star event is a spectacle where fans want to see exciting play.

Although debate will certainly ensue as to those who should be headed to Orlando, these players should be feeling confident about their chances to celebrate the festivities in style.

Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook's athleticism is a joy to watch on the basketball floor, and he's got explosive ability to penetrate to the basket whenever he turns on his jets.

Turnovers have been a concern for Westbrook this season, but defense isn't played in the All-Star affair, and this is a contest designed to entertain the fans at the highest level.

The most exciting players in the league are perfect for this affair, and Westbrook fits that description with ease.

Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves

The All-Star Game was designed for a player with Ricky Rubio's skill set.

Who doesn't want to watch Rubio throw alley-oop passes to his teammates? Who among us doesn't want to see a behind-the-back pass for a corner three a couple of times while he's on the floor?

He's in the top two in both steals and assists thus far in his exhilarating rookie season, and he's got everyone excited about Timberwolves basketball for the first time in a long while.

Pau Gasol, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers

There have been so many indications that Gasol is on the down-slide of his career, but it would be tough to find a more talented player producing the way he is as a third option in the offense.

Gasol is taking a major backseat to both Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, but he's still averaging a double-double (better than 16 and 10) while playing a solid brand of defense, and he's shooting above 50 percent from the floor.

His level of play is overlooked, but the fact that he's deserving of a bid certainly shouldn't be.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Portland Trail Blazers

If Aldridge doesn't find his way into this game, the process for voting reserves needs to be seriously re-evaluated.

One of the most consistent forces on the low block, Aldridge has been leading the way for Portland this season and has scored in double digits in every single game to date.

He's got a very legitimate case to call himself the most complete power forward in the game, and it would be a shame to see him left out of the action. He deserves to be in Orlando.

Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves

This should be one of the easiest parts of the decision-making process, as Love's ridiculous season continues to be a show for the fans in Minnesota.

His per-game averages are something one would see in a video game, and his three-point shooting is not something many at his position have in their attack.

There is a lot to like about Love's season, and it would be nothing short of great to see him crashing the offensive glass and then proceed to stroke it from deep on the same possession.

Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns

The season that Nash is having at 38 years old is nothing short of phenomenal.

The two-time MVP is shooting a career-high percentage from the field and better than 45 percent from beyond the arc.

On top of that, Nash is averaging a double-double on an absolutely terrible team, all while running circles around his competition at the point position.

Like Rubio, Nash's skills are fit for this event, and it would be a real disappointment to see him left out despite far too few talking about the solid season he's having.

Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs

Parker's phenomenal season is getting swept under the rug, but that's not surprising considering San Antonio has been on a roll and nobody has seemed to notice.

Averaging a career-high 7.7 assists per game, Parker's ability to penetrate through the lane and get to the rim allow for increased opportunities for himself and his teammates on the floor.

He doesn't excite a lot of people for reasons unknown, but Parker should be on his way to Orlando with the season he's turned in to date.

Paul Pierce, SF, Boston Celtics

There were a lot of people wondering just how effective Pierce was going to be this season with a slow start, but he's quieted those critics down with emphasis.

Still the lifeblood of the Celtics and the driving force behind his team, Pierce's versatile game doesn't get the credit that it deserves.

He's shooting at a solid clip from beyond the arc and is nipping at the heels of a 20-5-5 season, something Pierce hasn't done since 2003-04.

Andre Iguodala, SF, Philadelphia 76ers

Iguodala's placement here is validation that scoring isn't the most important point of emphasis in making an All-Star team.

His all-around game is fun to watch at both ends of the floor, and the swingman is really enjoying a nice season and is a key reason why the Sixers are turning heads in the first half of the year.

He can get out and run on the wing and is an excellent passer at his position, and both qualities are very favorable for his chances of finding success in Orlando, should he be selected.

Luol Deng, SF, Chicago Bulls

Deng has not played less than 30 minutes in any game he's participated in this season, and the results he's enjoying this year shouldn't be flying under the radar.

Now playing with a torn wrist ligament, Deng's season hasn't slowed down, and he's really stepped up and asserted himself as the secondary option on offense behind Derrick Rose.

It wasn't so long ago that Deng was being written off as an injury-prone player who wouldn't live up to his potential, but those criticizing him previously have nothing but good things to say about him now.

Brandon Jennings, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

Jennings has really improved his overall play this season, and what he's been able to do without Andrew Bogut in the lineup is a major reason why Milwaukee is still afloat.

Putting up career-high numbers in points per game, field-goal percentage and steals, Jennings' ability to take over a game at any given moment would make him an ideal target to represent the Eastern Conference.

He's really made a strong push of late to solidify his standing as a potential All-Star, and two Milwaukee wins over the Miami Heat look awfully impressive if those voting are on the bubble about his candidacy.

Joe Johnson, SG, Atlanta Hawks

Many felt that Atlanta's road to the postseason was filled with potholes and insurmountable speed bumps when Al Horford tore his pectoral, but Johnson is showing that just isn't the case.

He's rebounded to near his normal efficiency from the three-point line after a very poor season last year, and Johnson's cut down on his turnovers in the process.

Once again knocking on the door of being a 20-point scorer, Johnson is helping to carry the Hawks in a season where almost nobody has given the team a fair shot to finally find playoff success.

Greg Monroe, PF/C, Detroit Pistons

It's mind-boggling to think that Monroe might get snubbed out of a spot on this list, as he's one of the lone bright spots in Detroit's season.

The second-year man has really taken a huge step forward this year, averaging a healthy 16.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 52.3 percent shooting, and he's really established himself as one of the better centers in this league.

There is so much to like about Monroe's game and his fearlessness beneath the basket, and it would be sad to see his efforts go unappreciated because his team isn't good.

Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers

Hibbert has been a personal favorite since before the season began, and while many didn't buy into the idea of his development, the big man is showing what a summer of hard work can do.

He's absolutely dominant in the low post and has range which extends out beyond the free-throw line, and that's awfully impressive considering Hibbert stands at a legitimate 7'2".

The Georgetown product is logging double-double efforts with freakish consistency while also averaging nearly two blocks per game, indicating that he's really giving it his all at both ends of the floor.

He's been a pleasure to watch this year and deserves to be on the Eastern Conference squad.