NBA All-Star Game: The Top Six Candidates To Replace Yao Ming in the West
The starting lineups for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles were recently announced, and among the fold was Yao Ming—the biggest and most injury-plagued player in the NBA.
Despite appearing in just five games this season, Yao’s enormous fan base garnered him enough votes to win the starting spot at center for the Western conference.
Unfortunately, Yao will be unable to participate in the game due to injuries, and thus a replacement needs to be picked. Rather than simply handing the spot to the West’s second leading vote getter at center, Andrew Bynum, NBA commissioner David Stern will select the player who he thinks is most deserving of the spot to replace Yao Ming. But who should that be?
Without further ado, I present the top six candidates to replace Yao Ming in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game.
6. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers
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Despite playing in just 23 games this season, Andrew Bynum was the second highest vote getter at center in the West, behind only Yao Ming. Bynum’s numbers and minutes are down as he recuperates from another injury, but he has still managed to put up solid numbers, averaging 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game.
Bynum doesn’t have as good of a chance as his teammate Pau Gasol at replacing Yao, but he could get the nod purely based on his efficiency at the center spot.
5. Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz
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In his first season with the Jazz, Al Jefferson has been putting up excellent numbers from the center positions. Jefferson is currently averaging 16.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on a playoff caliber team and has been one of the top centers in the West this season.
Although Jefferson isn’t the lead candidate to take over Yao Ming, he still has a chance to snag the spot, as he has started every game this season at center and wouldn’t have to change position.
4. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
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Tim Duncan’s stats and minutes are both down this season, but he continues to be the anchor of the dominant Spurs. Duncan’s reduced role in the Spurs offense has turned out fine for the team, as it has allowed guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to flourish and has helped the development of center DeJuan Blair.
Despite the offensive drop-off, Duncan is still averaging a solid 13.6 points per game, along with 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 blocks in under 30 minutes a contest. Although his stats won’t garner him the honor of replacing the injured Yao Ming as the West’s starting center, Duncan’s leadership and defense while playing on the league’s top team very well could.
3. Nene, Denver Nuggets
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Nene is another player whose statistics this season won’t get him into the All-Star game. But another thing might—his field goal shooting.
Nene is averaging 15 points per game this season while shooting a ridiculous 64 percent from the field. Granted, the majority of Nene’s attempts are either dunks or inside shots, but so are Dwight Howard’s, and Howard is shooting about seven percent lower than Nene.
Among centers, Nene trails only Tyson Chandler, Shaq and DeAndre Jordan in field goal percentage, but his scoring output has been significantly higher than these players.
Nene has also averaged 7.4 rebounds per game, and his efficiency and impressive comeback from injury could inspire David Stern to select him as the West’s starting center.
2. Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
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After a down season in Charlotte last year, Tyson Chandler was traded to the Dallas Mavericks during the offseason, where he has made it very clear he is still a force to be reckoned with.
It’s hard to tell whether Chandler’s rejuvenation is due to the presence of Jason Kidd, his participation in the FIBA World Championships or just a new system to play in, but whatever the cause, Chandler has become a dominant force this season. Chandler has joined forces with Dirk Nowitzki to form arguably the best big man duo in the league, and he has played as well as any other center in the West through his 43 games this season.
Chandler’s stats aren’t exactly jaw dropping, but a look at his production during January shows he has been one of the most effective centers in the West. Throughout January, Chandler has averaged 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while being a force defensively and connecting on incredible alley-oop jams.
Although Chandler likely won’t make the All-Star game, he certainly deserves to.
1. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise to many that Pau Gasol comes in first on this list. Although he spends most of his time at power forward, Gasol is a 250-pound, seven-footer who is more than capable of holding his own against other centers.
The two-time NBA champion out of Spain continues to put up dominant stats in his 10th season, averaging 18.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Gasol is easily the league’s most proficient post scorer, and it’s very likely he will end up starting in the All-Star game for the Western conference.
Thanks for Reading
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Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed my article.
My pick for Yao Ming's replacement is Tyson Chandler.
Who is yours?
