NBA All-Star Weekend: How Many Minutes Should Each Star Get?

With the All-Star Weekend quickly approaching and the first half of the season all wrapped up, it's time to take a look at who will be playing for their respective conferences on Sunday. 

The lineups are set for both the Eastern and Western Conferences. We know who will be starting. We know who will be coming off the bench. 

The only thing left to figure out is how much each All-Star should play. 

That's where I come in. 

Read on for one man's take on how much action LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin and the rest of the best/most popular players in the NBA should get. 

Western Conference Starting Guard: Chris Paul

Projected Playing Time: 23 minutes

As the starting point guard for the Western Conference, Chris Paul is obviously going to begin the game with the ball in his hands. 

CP3 is an incredible facilitator who also possesses an elite ability to create for himself. He's exactly the kind of guy you want on the court during an All-Star Game. 

Western Conference Starting Guard: Kobe Bryant

Projected Playing Time: 25 minutes

Come on now, who doesn't want to see Kobe Bryant play against a team without much defensive intensity?

Kobe thrives shooting the ball, and he absolutely loves showing people up. If he doesn't posterize someone or take home the trophy as the game's MVP at the end of the night, he'll be disappointed. 

Sure, Kobe's getting older and may need to take it easy, but this guy was born to compete, and he's still leading the entire NBA in points per game during the 2011-2012 season. 

Western Conference Starting Forward: Kevin Durant

Projected Playing Time: 30 minutes

Historically, the best player in each conference has spent roughly 30 minutes of the floor for their respective squad during the All-Star Game. This year, that player is Kevin Durant in the West. 

Although I'd bet on Kobe Bryant outscoring Durant in this year's game, Durant is still the best pure scorer in basketball and will absolutely thrive in this offensively oriented game. 

Without worrying about running set plays, hustling on defense or anything else of that nature, Durant will truly be able to put on a show. 

Western Conference Starting Forward: Blake Griffin

Projected Playing Time: 25 minutes

I'm not going to defend Blake Griffin's skill here. Kevin Love would be starting over him in this spot if the All-Star Game was actually about putting the best lineup on the court. But it's not. 

The contest is about putting the most popular players on the court and letting them do stuff that fans can only dream about doing. Hell, I don't know that I can even dream up some of the stuff that Griffin can do with a basketball. 

There is no better player in the NBA at producing highlights than No. 32 on the Los Angeles Clippers. If it wasn't for the fact that Love deserves to find himself on the court too, I'd have given him plenty more minutes than just 25. 

Western Conference Starting Center: Andrew Bynum

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Andrew Bynum may be the best center in the Western Conference, but he's fragile enough (and there are enough big men that the team can throw out there) that he really shouldn't play any more than 20 minutes on Sunday night. 

Bynum is a great rebounder and an efficient player on the offensive end of the court, but he's not really going to provide any highlights. 

Western Conference Reserve Guard: Russell Westbrook

Projected Playing Time: 22 minutes

Russell Westbrook is my ideal point guard in an All-Star Game. 

You'd be hard pressed to find a more explosive player at his height in the NBA, and I'm absolutely certain that no one dunks the ball home with the anger that this member of the Oklahoma City Thunder does. 

I want a guy who's not afraid to call his own number. I want a guy who wants to create highlights. Basically, I want to see Westbrook on the court. 

Western Conference Reserve Guard: Steve Nash

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

How can you not give Steve Nash at least 20 minutes in this game? 

The aging point guard is having a sensational season and is used to running fast-paced offenses like the West is sure to be running. No player in the NBA is better at making quick decisions and hitting their teammates in the perfect spots. 

Plus, Nash is absolutely a fan favorite. Unless you're fans of a rival of the Phoenix Suns, it's almost impossible to dislike the long-haired floor general.  

Western Conference Reserve Guard: Tony Parker

Projected Playing Time: 14 minutes

As fun to watch as Tony Parker is, he's not going to be able to get more minutes than this simply because there are three point guards that we want to see on the court more: Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Steve Nash. 

Parker has been sensational this season, keeping the San Antonio Spurs near the top of the Western Conference despite the declining play of Tim Duncan and the lengthy absence of Manu Ginobili. 

Hopefully, he gets some huge ovations when he's on the court as recognition for his play. 

Western Conference Reserve Forward: Kevin Love

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Kevin Love is the best power forward in the NBA right now, so it would be an absolute travesty if the man didn't get at least 20 minutes of action during the All-Star Game, even if he wasn't named a starter on the team. 

My one knock on Love in this game is that his game just isn't that exciting. He hustles and is fundamentally sound on the glass, but his offensive game relies more on technique and effort than excitement. 

I said it before on the Blake Griffin slide, and I'll say it again here. I'd want Love on the court more if I was trying to put the best team possible together, but that's not necessarily the goal. 

Western Conference Reserve Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge

Projected Playing Time: 10 minutes

LaMarcus Aldridge finally got the recognition he deserved when he was selected to the first All-Star Game of his career as a reserve forward in the Western Conference. 

That's about all the recognition he'll get though, as it's going to be quite difficult for the Portland Trail Blazers' power forward to push past Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and the bevy of guards that will surely play in small lineups. 

Aldridge is an excellent player, but he doesn't have the most exciting style, and that will come back to bite him on Sunday. 

Western Conference Reserve Forward: Dirk Nowitzki

Projected Playing Time: 10 minutes

Dirk Nowitzki will earn 10 minutes much in the same way that he earned a spot on the All-Star Team in the first place for the Western Conference. 

The big man for the Dallas Mavericks earned a spot because of his legacy, not because he was playing well when the teams were decided upon. Dirk has struggled until recently, and his numbers are far lower than the ones we're accustomed to seeing. 

Even if other players are more deserving of playing time, Dirk has to find himself on the court for a little while. 

Western Conference Reserve Center: Marc Gasol

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Marc Gasol has been playing out of his mind this season, and he's a large part of the Memphis Grizzlies' efforts to stay afloat in the Western Conference, as Zach Randolph recovers from a knee injury. 

As another fundamental big man who plays well on both ends of the ball, Gasol isn't a tremendously exciting player even if he is skilled. Moreover, his name doesn't really have that much recognition yet, as this has truly been his breakout season. 

Next year, when Gasol is starting for the West, he'll earn far more minutes than he will this year. 

Eastern Conference Starting Guard: Derrick Rose

Projected Playing Time: 25 minutes

Seeing as Derrick Rose is the best point guard in the NBA right now, I was tempted to increase his minutes up to 30, but with his recent back problems and his importance to the Chicago Bulls, I don't see any way that Tom Thibodeau will leave him on the court for that long. 

Rose's style translates perfectly to the All-Star Game, and he's always a joy to watch. 

But our enjoyment won't trump Rose's health in the mind of the Bulls' head coach. 

Eastern Conference Starting Guard: Dwyane Wade

Projected Playing Time: 25 minutes

Dwyane Wade is the best shooting guard in the Eastern Conference, and it really isn't even close. In fact, the only other member of the All-Star Team who consistently lines up at shooting guard is Andre Iguodala, and he's really more of a swingman. 

Wade will find himself on the court often (almost out of necessity) if the East wants to throw a semi-normal lineup out there. 

Plus, he's incredibly talented and one of the most exciting players to watch in all of basketball. 

Eastern Conference Starting Forward: LeBron James

Projected Playing Time: 30 minutes

If you don't want to see LeBron James doing what he does best at the All-Star Game for at least 30 minutes, then you are absolutely crazy. 

James is possibly the most athletic player in the league and produces highlights at the highest rate of any player who doesn't have the initials B.G. 

If you need any more evidence, please go to YouTube and type LeBron's name into the search box. 

Eastern Conference Starting Forward: Carmelo Anthony

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Lining up alongside LeBron James to start the game in the backcourt for the Eastern Conference will be Carmelo Anthony, who is in the midst of a very below-par season (at least by his lofty standards). 

There's no way to justify Melo's inclusion in the starting lineup by using his numbers, so we'll chalk it up to the fact that he's a superstar playing in one of the largest media markets in the world. 

That said, this forward loves playing in the spotlight and is sure to use his offensive talents to create nightmarish matchups for whoever attempts to guard him. 

Eastern Conference Starting Center: Dwight Howard

Projected Playing Time: 30 minutes

The best center in the NBA deserves to play 30 minutes with a team he actually wants to play for after putting up with the "team" that Otis Smith has put together as his supporting cast. 

Dwight Howard has recorded sensational statistics with the Orlando Magic, so just imagine the havoc he will wreak on the Western Conference while he's motivated to play well. 

In a game where everyone loves offense and big plays, we have to have at least one guy on the court who's going to swat a few balls into the stands. 

Eastern Conference Reserve Guard: Andre Iguodala

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Out of all the reserve guards, Andre Iguodala will receive the most minutes off the bench simply because he's versatile enough to line up at either shooting guard of small forward, and he's the only backup shooting guard on the team. 

Iggy is a highlight machine who will be motivated to play well during his first appearance in an All-Star Game. 

Expect to see at least one big dunk and a surprising amount of effort on the defensive side of the ball. 

Eastern Conference Reserve Guard: Deron Williams

Projected Playing Time: 15 minutes

As hard as Deron Williams is to guard, I'd hate to have to try to play lazy defense and still manage to at least slow the monstrous floor general. 

The same argument that applied to Dwight Howard also applies to D-Will. After half a season of putting up with running the show for the New Jersey Nets, he's going to be excited to do the same with All-Stars on the court around him. 

Eastern Conference Reserve Guard: Rajon Rondo

Projected Playing Time: 15 minutes

I was tempted to give Rajon Rondo a DNP just out of spite. After all, he did take a spot away from a much more deserving player named Josh Smith, who just happens to play for the same team as Joe Johnson, who he's replacing. And, it also just so happens that I root for the Atlanta Hawks. 

But, even though my heart wants me to, I have to attempt to stay at least a little unbiased. 

Rondo is an incredibly talented point guard who plays with flair and is great at getting other players involved. He's the perfect point guard to have coming off the bench for the Eastern Conference. 

Even if he shouldn't be here. 

Eastern Conference Reserve Forward: Chris Bosh

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Chris Bosh is going to come on the court in two different situations: 

1. At some point, the novelty of having all three members of the Miami Heat's Big Three is going to come into play and Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will all have to be on the court simultaneously. 

2. When size is needed, Bosh will be the first player off the bench. After all, he is the team's only true power forward.  

Eastern Conference Reserve Forward: Luol Deng

Projected Playing Time: 15 minutes

Luol Deng is in the All-Star Game for the first time, and he absolutely deserved his place amongst the Eastern Conference reserves. 

Deng is a gifted and versatile player who needs a little bit more name recognition than he already has. Seeing his lanky arms stuff the ball into the basket should do the trick. 

The second of the two members of the Chicago Bulls to make the squad, Deng will be the second small forward off the bench, behind Andre Iguodala. But with two small forwards in the starting lineup, that will come fairly early on in the game. 

Eastern Conference Reserve Forward: Paul Pierce

Projected Playing Time: 10 minutes

Just like Dirk Nowitzki in the Western Conference, Paul Pierce made the squad in the Eastern Conference because of his legacy in the NBA. Pierce may have been one of the best players in the league a few years ago, but he's fallen off that perch a little bit this season. 

Pierce has some veteran tricks up his sleeve, and he'll be able to do his fair share of damage...if he can make it on the court. 

Tom Thibodeau will have to play The Truth because the fans want to see him, but he won't have to play him for long. 

Eastern Conference Reserve Center: Roy Hibbert

Projected Playing Time: 20 minutes

Somebody has to spell Dwight Howard when he needs a rest. 

Personally, I would rather have seen Greg Monroe in this spot, but Roy Hibbert isn't exactly a bad alternative. 

As a whole, the Western Conference lacks size in the paint, so Hibbert is going to find himself on the court because a big body is needed. He won't be the most exciting player to watch, but he'll be solid.