A New Year With New Faces: Predicting The 2010-2011 NBA All Stars

This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report

We are getting close to NBA training camp season and since the NBA Rumor mill hasn't been producing lately, I feel that it is time to shift our thinking towards next season.

with many NBA All-Stars changing places, How will the change of scenery end up effecting the NBA's All-Star Game.

Here is my prediction of the 2011 NBA All-Star Lineups.

Please Enjoy.

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Last Years Team- Eastern Conference

Starters-

PG- Allen Iverson

SG- Dwyane Wade

SF- LeBron James

PF- Kevin Garnett

C- Dwight Howard

Reserves- Joe johnson, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce, Gerald Wallace, Chris Bosh, Al Hortford, and David Lee.

* Notes: Allen Iverson should have had nothing to do with last years all-star game. I find it rather irritating that a player can find his way into the game without accomplishing anything. Also, I wouldn't expect Kevin Garnett to make break into the starters this year either.

Especially with Amare Stoudemire in the eastern conference and Chris Bosh on a good team.

Maybe he'd even be lucky to make the cut.

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Last Years Team- Western Conference

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Starters-

PG- Steve Nash

SG- Kobe Bryant

SF- Carmelo Anthony

PF- Tim Duncan

C- A'mare Stoudemire

Reserves- Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul, Derron Williams, Jason Kidd, Brandon Roy, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol, and Chris Kaman

* Notes- Amare Won't be on the team next year, leaving a huge hole at the center position in the Western Conference. Who is going to fill that void as the best center in the Western Conference?

Greg Oden is my top pick if he can stay healthy. Others like Marc Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Chris Kaman will probably be battling for the spot.

Starting Point Guard For The Western Conference

Chris Paul-

18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 10.7 assists is by far enough to get you into the all-star game, but my main concern is that his offseason trade demands may hurt his standing within the fan base.

If the team is losing and Chris Paul is unhappy, I don't think that Chris stays with the Hornets.

But as was the case last season, the Hornets will stay relevant through the first half of the season and then taper off towards the end.

I wouldn't take my eye of the Chris Paul situation, something may very well happen heading up to the trading deadline.

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Starting Shooting Guard For The Western Conference

Kobe Bryant-

Big Surprise.

As the best player in the NBA (Yes, he still is the best) he averaged 27 points and 5 assists in what was a down year last season.

All signs point to Kobe being healthy heading into the 2011 campaign. There isn't a major tournament to play in and Kobe can just relax and recover his way into next season.

As of right now, there is no reason Kobe Bryant should not be an All-Star starter.

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Starting Small Forward For The Western Conference

Kevin Durant-

If Durant can play anything like he did last season, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be the Western Conferences Starting Small Forward.

At 30.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists there is little to debate towards Durants All-Star Standing.

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Starting Power Forward For The Western Conference

Dirk Nowitzki-

This is more of a game of chance. Is Dirk going to fight off the test of time and continue to play like he is in his prime or are the age fairies going to catch up to him?

As for now, I consider Dirk to still be a basketball All-Star. 

Especially after a season in which you average 25 points and 7.7 rebounds.

The only thing I see stopping Dirk from becoming an All-Star starter is his own age.

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Starting Center For The Western Conference

Pau Gasol will be the Western Conferences center by default.

I mean really, name someone else that is more qualified.

I would choose Greg Oden if there wasn't the giant wildcard dangling over him.

Or even Andrew Bynum, but still, neither have proven they an stay healthy.

So I guess the West will have to settle with Pau... 

Really.

Pau Averaged 18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks last season.

So it's not exactly like your getting B-level talent.

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Reserves For The Western Conference

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G- Steve Nash

G- Brandon Roy

G- Aaron Brooks

F- Carmelo Anthony*

F- Tim Duncan

F- David Lee

C- Greg Oden/ Yao Ming**

* Carmelo Anthony may be leaving the Western Conference soon. If that happens, an eastern conference team is the most likely of situations.

** Greg Oden may not be able to stay healthy next season and in that case, the West will be without a true Center. That is, if Yao Ming isn't healthy.

Yao is an unlikely choice to be a reserve, mostly because his home country, China, will vote him in no matter how poorly he plays. One of these two players will be healthy, it just is a matter of which one at which time.

Starting Point Guard For The Eastern Conference

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Rajon Rondo may be the most controversial pick on this list.

Who would you choose? 

Derrick Rose, Raymond Felton, Jameer Nelson, who?

I personally think that Rajon Rondo is the best point guard in the Eastern Conference.

He very well may be the only true point guard in his generation.

A good passer, good leader, good decision maker, and a heck of a playmaker.

He's like a young Andre Miller or a Jason Kidd type of player.

If only he could develop a mid range and three point game...

Rondo averaged 13.7 points, 9.8 assists, and 2.3 steals last season.

Starting Shooting Guard For The Eastern Conference

Dwyane Wade

I have a feeling that three Miami Heat players will be in the All-star game.

Starting with Dwyane Wade.

26.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.9 rebounds is sure to get you into the All-star game.

Especially when you play for a team that will be in the public eye more than most teams will be next season.

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Starting Small Forward For The Eastern Conference

LeBron James will get the votes even though he burned bridges, exposed his arogance, and spoke in third person on a regular basis.

No one likes a person that talks about themselves in third person.

Still, it is fair to say that LeBron will continue to be LeBron. filling up the stat sheet, but failing to execute in the most important of moments.

Look for him to average lower numbers next season, but still solid numbers none the less.

James averaged 29.7 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.3 rebounds last season with the Cavaliers.

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Starting Power Forward For The Eastern Conference

Chris Bosh

It is up in the air whether or not chris Bosh will benefit, stat wise, from playing with two other all-stars, but even if he averages significantly lower numbers, the Country will vote him into a starting role by default.

Last season Chris Bosh averaged 24 points and 10.8 rebounds with the Raptors last season, but he will see fewer plays called for him and less time in the post while playing with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Still, I see no other option better than Chris Bosh in the Eastern Conference.

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Starting Center For The Eastern Conference

Dwight Howard

Superman doesn't exactly have stiff competition in the Eastern Conference for his starting Center spot and even if he did, I don't see it being very likely that the fans would vote a fan favorite out of a starting role.

Ever since his superman dunk in the dunk contest, fans have flocked to Dwight like he is this amazing superstar.

Howard isn't a superstar, but he is a really good center.

Superman averaged 18.3 points, 13.2 assists, and 2.8 blocks last season.

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Eastern Conference Reserves

G- Derrick Rose

G- Joe Johnson

G- Jameer Nelson

F- Paul Pierce

F- A'mare Stoudemire

F- Gerald Wallace

C- Andrew Bogut

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Key All-Star Snubs

Kevin Garnett- Getting too old. Unfortunately, the Eastern conference is becoming crowded at his position and will eventually force him out all together.

LaMarcus Aldridge- Not really ready yet. He has the tools and he plays for a very good team, but the forward position will be crowded next season, leaving LaMarcus on the outside looking in.

Jason Kidd- A case of being too old and just not as good as the other point guards in the Western Conference

Al Horford- Again, the forward position is crowded. Just happens that Al will have to watch the game on TV next season.

Josh Smith- See above explanation.

Deron Williams- Unfortunately, Deron lives in Utah and isn't exactly in the national eye. Being voted into the all-star game will be difficult, but I think he has a good chance of being chosen by the coaches.

I have him being snubbed until further notice.

Chauncey Billups- Much like Kidd, I see Billups being past his prime and playing a position that is very competitive. It is difficult to see Chauncey getting the votes or the coaches recognition.

This Article Courtesy Of Rip City Report

Thanks For Reading

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