NBA's Hollywood Heroes: Blake Griffin and the 2011 All-Star Game Reserves

The votes are in. The starters have been named for the NBA All-Star game Feb. 20 in Los Angeles.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Amar'e Stoudemire, Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard will represent the Eastern Conference at Staples Center.

The West starters are Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and injured center Yao Ming.

The starters are often no-brainers. Picking the reserves is where it gets tricky.

The East roster is difficult to round out because of its lack of standout performers.

The West is tough for the exact opposite reason; it has a number of great players who simply won't be selected.

Whoever gets picked will carve out a small space in NBA history.

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics dives for the loose ball after he was fouled by Anthony Parker of the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Rajon Rondo leads the league in assists but more importantly, he leads the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics.

Rondo also ranks second in the league in steals per game. It would mark his second straight selection.

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics heads to the basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 112-95. NOTE TO USER:

Paul Pierce is having a banner shooting season, converting 51 percent from the field, 42 percent from the arc and 85 percent from the line en route to 19.1 PPG on a loaded team.

His efficiency is another reason the C's look like the team to beat in the East.

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Hawks 93-86. NOTE TO U

Al Horford leads an admittedly weak contingent of Eastern Conference centers.

But his 16.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game through Feb. 2 are nothing to scoff at.

Add in the fact that he's the incumbent pick and Horford gets the nod over Chicago's Joakim Noah and the Bucks' Andrew Bogut.

Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Marc Serota/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 03: Center Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on February 3, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photog

Bosh took the heat for his team's early struggles, but his 18.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game have helped Miami to the second-best record in the East through Feb. 3.

It was Bosh's sixth straight selection.

Ray Allen, Boston Celtics

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics drives the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Much like teammate Paul Pierce, Allen is shooting a career-best 51 percent from the field, including 46 percent from the arc.

Additionally, his 17.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and three assists per game are all up from last season.

It would be his 10th selection.

Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 18: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks posts up against Carlos Arroyo #8 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 18, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Johnson may get the nod simply based on reputation.

After being selected to the last four All-Star games, he may have won over coaches in the league with his quietly consistent play.

Knicks point guard Raymond Felton is having a career year for the resurgent Knicks (17.1 points, 8.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game), but may have to wait another year to showcase his talents in the All-Star game.

Johnson's 20.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game are right on par with his numbers over the last three seasons.

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User

Garnett has been selected to the last 13 All-Star teams.

It will be close, but he should make it 14 this month.

His points, rebounds and steals per game averages are all up from last season and he's shooting 53 percent from the field.

Moreover, his defensive intensity and leadership are the stuff coaches hope for, and it's the coaches who pick the reserves.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a jumper over Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 101-94 Laker win at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER

Oklahoma City's third-year point guard is having a breakout season.

In addition to his 22.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game, he has recorded three triple-doubles for the 31-17 Thunder.

Look for him to be selected to his first NBA All-Star team this season.

Steve Nash and Tony Parker are the snubs here.

Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz drives past Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz won 103-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

He's cooled off a bit since he was named Western Conference Player of the Month for November, but D-Will remains in the midst of a special season.

He is the only player in the league averaging at least 20 points (21.9) and nine assists (9.4) per game.

Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

The Spurs sport a league best 40-8 record through Feb. 2.

Tim Duncan is the Spurs' leader, but Ginobili's dynamic play has been the catalyst for San Antonio's success this season.

His 18.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game are all solid, but it is his intangibles that set him above and beyond.

Look for him to represent the league's best team with his second All-Star selection.

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives around Chuck Hayes #44 of the Houston Rockets in the first half at Staples Center on February 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 114-106. NOTE

Pau Gasol carried L.A. through the first few weeks of the season as Kobe Bryant played through nagging injuries.

His 18.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game should be enough to get him into his fourth career All-Star game.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 25: Guard Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center on January 25, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

Although the MVP talk has simmered considerably, Dirk continues to have an All-Star season for the Mavericks.

His 52 percent shooting is best among the league's top-10 scorers and represents a career high for the 2007 NBA MVP.

Dallas (33-15) has regained its early season form, winning six straight after dropping 10 of 13.

Not coincidentally, seven of those losses occurred with Nowitzki out due to injury.

It would be his 10th straight selection.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs stands for the National Anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

Duncan is the leader of the league's best team. The nod makes it 13 straight for the four-time NBA champion.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks over Kurt Thomas #40 of the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center on February 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Bulls won 106-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

Blake Superior.

The Blake Show.

Must-See BG.

Whatever he's called these days, call him an NBA All-Star on Feb. 20 on his home floor in Los Angeles.

After missing the entire season last year, Griffin has taken the NBA and YouTube by storm.

More than just highlights, Griffin has made the Clippers competitive and relevant again.

His 23 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game make him the first rookie to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists since 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year and Celtics legend Larry Bird.

Back to the highlights for a minute.

Blake Griffin was tailor-made to play in an up-and-down contest like the NBA All-Star game.

It would be an injustice and a travesty for him not to be selected.

But if not, fans will have the Slam Dunk Contest to look forward to Feb. 19.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs the rebound before Marquis Daniels #8 of the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Kevin Love was snubbed by Western Conference coaches on Thursday but hopefully, Commissioner David Stern will make things right when the time comes to name a replacement for Yao Ming.

Amazingly, Love began this season struggling to get playing time, reaching 30 minutes just once in the first seven games of the season.

He's had no trouble staying on the floor since, leading the NBA in double-doubles and rebounding.

His 31 point, 31 rebound game on Nov. 12 against the Knicks was the first 30-30 game since Moses Malone in 1982.

Malone won league MVP that year.

And while Love hasn't quite kept up that 30-30 pace, his season averages of 21.4 points and 15.5 rebounds merit him a spot in the All-Star game.

He ranks sixth in the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and is shooting 44 percent on threes.