Rajon Rondo Injury: 5 Replacements for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game Starter

Celtics fans, brace yourselves.

Rajon Rondo tore his ACL in a double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. And while things can't get any worse for the C's, who are battling for their playoff lives, there's one bigger, possibly more relevant question at hand:

Who will replace him in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game?

Rondo was named a starter alongside Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett, but now that he's sidelined indefinitely, the NBA will have to send an invitation to some deserving player—likely a guard— to replace him.

Here's a quick look at five All-Star-caliber players in the Eastern Conference who would be less flashy, but adequate replacements for Boston's star point guard.

Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)

Stats: 18.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 35.2 3P FG%

Why not replace a Celtic with a Celtic?

I somehow found myself considering Detroit's Jonas Jerebko as a possible Rondo replacement until "The Truth" pulled that smooth spin move in the fourth quarter of Boston's win over the Miami Heat on Sunday.

That's when I knew Paul Pierce still had it and could be an All-Star.

He's getting up there in age and his numbers are dropping as he gets older, but Pierce will always be one of the more dynamic, silky-smooth scorers in the NBA.

J.R. Smith (N.Y. Knicks)

Stats: 16.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 39.5 FG%

No matter what you think about the N.Y. Knicks or J.R. Smith, there's no questioning that both are having their best seasons in recent history on both offense and defense.

Even though he's shooting sub-40-percent from the field, Smith has shown growth and maturity in his shot selection and willingness to give his all on the defensive end.

Why don't we reward him?

Smith's been one of the Knicks' better fourth-quarter closers, knocking down game-winning shots against both Phoenix and Charlotte. It's been an honor to watch this kid slowly transition into a man, and he should be rewarded for his accomplishments.

Brook Lopez (Brooklyn Nets)

Stats: 18.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG  

If anyone's been snubbed from this year's All-Star Game, it's Brook Lopez.

He's having a better season than both Kevin Garnett AND Tyson Chandler, yet still couldn't make his way into his first All-Star appearance.

It would almost be a sin for him not to be Rondo's replacement.

Lopez isn't flashy by any means, which has become an underlying criteria to make the All-Star Game, but he's efficient and one of the best scoring big men in the NBA. He's got a smooth mid-range jumper and a great repertoire of low-post moves to go with it.

Can we see Brook Lopez in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game?

Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks)

Stats: 18.6 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 36.9 3P%

Despite his team's losing record, Brandon Jennings is quietly making some noise in Milwaukee. The Bucks are seventh in the East with a 23-19 record, and Jennings is easily the engine behind their winning season. He would be a great replacement for the injured Rondo.

Jennings also has dangerous handles, but he's proven to be a lethal shooter when left open and would be fun to watch as a first-time All-Star.

Now, if only we could find a way to squeeze Josh Selby on the court to renew their Summer League rivalry.

Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks)

Stats: 16.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 BPG, 1.3 SPG

There's no one more deserving to be Rajon Rondo's replacement than J-Smoove himself. Josh Smith was snubbed from the All-Star reserve list yet again, and while this isn't the way he would want to get it, this would be a great opportunity for the high-flying forward to pick up his first ever All-Star appearance.

Smith would add electrifying athleticism and at least one highlight reel jam to the All-Star Game. Can't you see a half-court alley-oop pass from King James to J-Smoove already?

I know I can.

@KrisWinfieldXCI