2011 NBA All-Star Game: Potential Starting Fives In The East

Each year the NBA All-Star Game throws up a number of interesting selections, whether it be due to a players reputation or even a continued romance of watching the same players year-in-year-out. With the voting set to close in a little over one months time we take a look at who, purely on current form, should be selected to take part in LA on February 20, 2011.

Eastern Conference Point Guard: Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 11: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up the court during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on November 11, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Rajon Rondo is putting up crazy numbers so far this season. Only two years ago Rondo was one of 'the other guys' on the Celtics roster, along with Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis, but he has taken his game to a whole new level this season, elevating himself into the upper echelon of not only Boston players but the entire NBA. Averaging 11 points, 4.5 boards and nearly 14 assists per game, Rondo is the obvious, and only reasonable, choice for starting point guard in the East. His standing should be emphasized by the fact that no other Celtics player should make starter at this seasons All-Star game.

Honorable mentions go to Derrick Rose, Raymond Felton and John Wall. 

Eastern Conference Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)

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SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 11: Dwayne Wade #3 of the Miami Heat in action against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena on December 11, 2010 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using th

Dwyane Wade can consider himself lucky that he is playing in the East as there is a handful of SG's in the West that would be picked before him this season. Wade, whilst still averaging 23 points and six rebounds a game, has put in a number of terrible performances this season and has been far from consistent. Six games with five or more turnovers is uncharacteristic for Wade, and could be prove that the new set-up at the Miami Heat is taking some adjusting too.

There is the temptation to play Derrick Rose at shooting guard, and on form he would get the spot before Wade. But when we are looking at a pure shooting guard Wade gets the nod, ahead of Ray Allen and very little else.

Eastern Conference Small Forward: LeBron James (Miami Heat)

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SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 11: Lebron James #6 of the Miami Heat warms up before their game against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena on December 11, 2010 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Danny Granger and Paul Pierce have both had excellent season so far, but they would have to be averaging 30+ points to dethrone King James from starting at the three spot for the All-Star game. Like Wade, James took a little while to get going at the Heat. However in recent weeks he has clicked into gear, leading Miami to eight straight wins, including a season-high 38 points against his old side, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Starting the season with 17 turnovers in the first two games, LeBron has found his bearings with the Heat and it would take a miracle for him to miss selection for the All-Star starting five.

Eastern Conference Power Forward: Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks)

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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 30: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks on the court against the New Jersey Nets on November 30, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Another player who had a relatively slow start to his career with a new team this season, Stoudemire has found his feet, propelling the Knicks to 13 wins from their past 14. In the process Amare Stoudemire has put together eight straight 30+ point games, coinciding with an eight game winning streak. Averaging 25 PPG, leading the Eastern Conference for scoring, and nine rebounds, Stoudemire has been a revelation for the Knicks. And with rumors circling that Carmelo Anthony may soon be joining him in New York, the Eastern Conference may be harboring four of the strongest sides in the entire NBA.

Eastern Conference Center: Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)

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ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic blocks the shot of Darko Milicic #31 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game at Amway Arena on November 3, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Generally Dwight Howard is the only man in contention for the Center spot in the East, however this season Andrea Bargnani has provided a real test. Bargnani is sure to get a spot on the bench if he continues his current form, but there is no argument that Howard is still the best Center in the league.

Averaging 21 and 12 so far this season, including a number of games missed or affected by the virus that swept through the Orlando line-up in recent weeks, Howard is more-or-less a shoe-in for the Defensive Player of the Year title and the season is barely 20 games old.

A line-up with the scoring power of James, Wade, Stoudemire and Howard, the defense of James and Howard and the passing ability of Rondo and Wade is a scary proposition for the Western Conference in 2011. Tomorrow we will take a look at the potential Western Conference All-Stars.