2011 NBA All-Star Game: Potential Starting Fives in the West

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. 

The starting five in the Eastern Conference is far more straight forward than the West, and my selections are likely to cause debate. This potential starting five is based purely on form, and features three of the main chances for this seasons MVP.

Western Conference Point Guard: Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 8: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz drives the ball down court during a game against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA game December 8, 2010 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Heat beat th

The battle for best point guard in the West, and potentially the entire NBA, comes down to Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Williams, averaging 23 points and 9.8 assists, just shades Paul, averaging 16 points and also 9.8 dimes, in the fight for the starting berth. It really is a toss of the coin, but in making the decision Williams' scoring power and Utah's better record would be arguments in favor of Williams.

At the same time Chris Paul has arguably a lot less to work with at the Hornets, and could quite easily slip into the starting role come the All Star game. Honorable mentions go to young guns Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and Brandon Jennings.

Western Conference Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 10: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Taj Gibson #22 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 88-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

You have to feel sorry for the likes of Monta Ellis, Kevin Martin and Eric Gordon; for as long as Kobe is playing in the NBA this position will always be his. And that's not to say he hasn't earned it, he is having yet another exceptional season, but for these youngsters averaging around 24 points per game it seems like the starting berth will be a long time out of reach!

But let's not take away from Kobe's efforts; averaging a touch under 27 points, Bryant is likely to be in MVP contention yet again in 2010/11. He still has a tendency to shoot too much when the game gets tight, but when you have the shooting prowess that Bryant does he is forgiven very quickly.

Western Conference Small Forward: Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks the ball over D.J. Mbenga #28 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on December 10, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Thunder defeated the Hornets 97-92.

After a relatively slow start to the season, including a number of games hampered by injury, all of a sudden Durant has shot back to the top of the scoring charts with 27.3 points per game. During the opening exchanges of the season it looked as though Russell Westbrook had taken the mantle of best player at the Thunder, but Durant quickly put payed to that suggestion with three straight 30+ games.

In the same vein as Bryant, Kevin Durant also has the propensity to try to shoulder too much responsibility and put up low percentage shots. 

He has incredible scoring power, and his height helps to add an ever-strengthening rebounding facet to his already impressive repertoire. 

Western Conference Power Forward: Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)

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ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves attempts a shot over Brandon Bass #30 of the Orlando Magic during the game at Amway Arena on November 3, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

My tip to be the surprise selection of the All-Star game, the 22 year old Love has had an outstanding break-out season. Averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds, including an unbelievable game against the New York Knicks where he had 31 boards to go with his 31 points, Love has been a revelation for the struggling Timberwolves this season. 

The future looks bright with Love, Michael Beasley and an improving Darko Milicic providing a more than imposing front court for Minnesota. And let's not forget Ricky Rubio may still one day play for the T'Wolves, but who knows what the future holds for the Spanish wonder kid.

Love will face stiff competition in years to come for this position; one need look no further than the unbelievable talent that is Blake Griffin.

For all those mystified fans of Dirk Nowitzki, hold your fire...

Western Conference Center: Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 17: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 17, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 99-97. NOT

Dirk Nowitzki has been arguably the form player of the NBA so far this season. I found it impossible to leave Kevin Love out, which forced the move of Nowitzki to starting center.

Nowitzki has been a model of consistency throughout his career and this season has been no different. Averaging 25 points and near on eight rebounds a game, Dirk has led the Mavericks to a formidable 19-5 record bettered only by fierce rivals San Antonio. 

Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bogut are all having great seasons; the latter may have even forced his way into the starting five had he not missed games through injury.

As always the All-Star game promises to be a brilliant spectacle, and the result is often lost in a myriad of unbelievable skills and show-boating. If I was to be pressed and make a selection, on paper, the East look to have the West covered this year. But expect to see a high-scoring game with several lead changes to keep the viewers interested for the entire 48 minutes.