NBA All-Star Game 2012: Possible Replacements for Joe Johnson
The Atlanta Hawks announced today that Joe Johnson would miss the team’s next two games as well as the All-Star game.
As a result of missing the All-Star game, NBA commissioner David Stern will have to name a replacement for Johnson.
There are probably some who think his teammate, Josh Smith, should be named as his replacement. Those who feel this way probably also think Smith should have been voted as a reserve in the first place.
In addition to Smith, Rajon Rondo and rookie Kyrie Irving also deserve consideration to make the squad.
Here is a breakdown of all three players and cases for each as to why they should make the team.
Josh Smith, SF, Atlanta Hawks
Smith is averaging 16 points per game and grabbing 9.6 rebounds per game. It can be argued he has been the Hawks' most consistent player all season and has picked up the slack since Al Horford was lost for what will likely be the rest of the regular season with a torn pectoral muscle.
In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Smith is blocking 2.1 shots per game and has been a defensive standout for the Hawks.
Rajon Rondo, PG, Boston Celtics
Rondo is enjoying his best scoring season to date. In addition to averaging 14.8 points per game, he is dishing out 9.5 assists per game while playing great two-way basketball.
He is a threat to produce a triple-double on any night and has been the Celtics' best player so far this season.
He has battled through injuries this season and is currently serving a two-game suspension for throwing the ball at an official, which may hurt his case.
There are other players on the Eastern Conference All-Star team who have missed chunks of time with injuries, so that should not be a reason to not select him.
Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
Although Irving is a rookie, he should still be strongly considered for the All-Star game.
He is averaging 18.6 points per game, more than Smith and Rondo. His 48.7 shooting percentage also ranks ahead of Smith and Rondo, and he is averaging 4.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Irving is doing all this as a rookie for a Cavaliers team that has been on the cusp of the Eastern Conference playoffs all season.
He has been the best rookie so far this season and the Cavaliers' best player. He may not make the All-Star team, but he is definitely deserving of consideration.
One of these players will likely replace Johnson, but there is one name that also must be mentioned: Jeremy Lin.
Although it would be a travesty for Lin to make the team after only a few weeks of solid play, it is something Stern will likely consider.
Since Lin took the league by storm, he has been the most popular player in the NBA.
Interest for his games have been off the charts, and his jersey has been the best selling one in the league.
Stern knows all too well the value of ratings and putting Lin in the All-Star game would likely skyrocket ratings for the game.
This would only be a public relations move and would likely upset many players and coaches.
After witnessing the debacle that was the Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers trade, nothing should be put past Stern.
