2012 NBA All-Star Game: 5 Reserves Who Could Compete for MVP

Last year's NBA All-Star Game MVP was Kobe Bryant, and why not?

He shot better than 50 percent from the field, scored 37 points and had 14 rebounds in less than 30 minutes of play.

Being a starter in the NBA All-Star Game is not just an honor—it's an opportunity for players to showcase their skills in front of fans, analysts and celebrities alike. 

But each year, following the announcement of the All-Star starters, debates begin to swirl about who got snubbed from each starting lineup.

Well, let's take it a step further.

The reserves this year are all capable of playing at an All-Star level, even against All-Star competition, and could make some noise off the bench in this year's game.

The MVP favorites are probably going to be guys like Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and who's to argue against them?

But while the game's trophy has historically gone to the starters more often than not, there are a handful of players in this year's contest who could show off their skills and threaten to take home the award come Sunday.

Rajon Rondo

There aren't many All-Star reserves who will receive as many minutes as the game's starters, but with injury troubles plaguing Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, recently added Rajon Rondo could step up should the East decide to monitor Rose's minutes. 

Rondo is not a prolific scorer, but the nice thing about his game is that he doesn't appear to care about individual offense. 

While the fast-paced nature of the game could inflate his points, the more likely scenario is that the assists will be flying through the air from a player who already averages nearly 10 per game. 

Rondo, who leads the NBA in triple-doubles so far this season, is a threat to grab rebounds as well, and in a game where boxing out becomes less of a focus, he could sneak in and snag a fair share of boards.

If the minutes come his way, don't be surprised to see the game's MVP award do the same.

Deron Williams

Like Rajon Rondo, the question marks over the head of Derrick Rose could lead to more minutes and more recognition for New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams.

Not that he's not deserving anyway.

Williams has been the only bright spot for the Nets this season, scoring more than 22 points per game and dishing out eight assists as well.

Although Williams is a great pick-and-roll point guard, he is also able to get out on the break and finish above the rim—something that's not too hard to spot in an NBA All-Star Game.

Attempting 6.5 three-pointers per game this season while completing 37 percent of them, Williams is a threat to score in many different ways, all of which are perfectly suited for NBA All-Star Sunday.

Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert could easily be one of those guys whose effort stands out more than anyone else's during this weekend's All-Star Game.

In his first All-Star appearance, Hibbert is coming in averaging career highs in points, rebounds and field-goal percentage.

While the All-Star Game isn't exactly known for its set of back-to-the-basket plays, anyone who can pull down an offensive rebound is a threat to put up some points around the rim.

The ball won't go through Hibbert often, and it's going to be difficult for him to find minutes behind hometown favorite Dwight Howard. However, if the center can work hard around the rim and clean up some of the sloppy plays from his Eastern Conference teammates, he could prove to be the team's most valuable player when it's all said and done.

Russell Westbrook

If you think that Russell Westbrook shoots too much in a regular game, imagine what he'll do in this year's All-Star matchup.

Making his first All-Star appearance last season, Westbrook managed to put up 12 shots in just 14 minutes. Only Pau Gasol had more points off the bench in his 24 minutes. 

That's not to say Westbrook played poorly, however, as he shot 50 percent from the field and scored 12 points in the game.

Whether head coach Scott Brooks plays him more to showcase his skills or less to preserve his energy for a second-half push remains to be seen. 

But with the scorer's mentality that Westbrook has firmly established, expect him to make the most of those minutes when they do come his way this weekend.

Kevin Love

While Kevin Love was arguably snubbed of a starting spot this season, the fact remains that he will have to wait another year to try and make the starting squad on an NBA All-Star roster.

That doesn't mean, though, that he has to sit back and watch, either.

Love, who leads the NBA this season in double-doubles, could step right in and play just as well as the player who got the nod in his spot, Blake Griffin.

Although he doesn't play above the rim, Love's game is catered to All-Star Weekend.

Shooting just below 35 percent from the three-point line this season and averaging nearly 4.5 attempts per game, Love is likely to get his share of open looks from behind the arc—and not just in the three-point contest, either.

Love is used to playing fast, as the Minnesota Timberwolves play at the fifth highest pace in the entire NBA. If the defense doesn't lock down, which it likely won't for the first three-and-a-half quarters, expect Love to come in and put up the stats worthy of an NBA All-Star starter.