2011 NBA All-Star Reserves: The Players They Should Pick

The NBA will announce the reserves for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Thursday.  There will inevitably be plenty of players getting snubbed, but in a perfect world, these are the players that would be picked by the coaches.  Like the coaches, I have chosen two guards, two forwards, one center and two from any position from each conference.

Rajon Rondo

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics handles 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

Leading the league in assists per game and second in the league in steals per game behind only Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo has earned a spot.  While shooting under 50 percent on the year on free throws is atrocious for a point guard (or any player), shooting better than 50 percent from the field and piloting the best team in the Eastern Conference's first half more than makes up for it.

Odds he makes it: 80 percent

Joe Johnson

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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

While many have overlooked him, Joe Johnson absolutely deserves a spot as the best and most important player on a winning team.  Oh, and averaging 20-5-4 isn't bad either.  While, it looks like he may ultimately be left off the team, he shouldn't be.

Odds he makes it: 35 percent

Chris Bosh

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat takes a shot during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

His coach calls him the most important player on the Miami Heat, and it's hard to argue with the impact he has on his team.  He may be a "fake tough guy," but Chris Bosh's 18.5 and 8.2 deserve to be in LA.

Odds he makes it: 65 percent

Kevin Garnett

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics is cut above his left eye against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (Ph

The 'Heart & Soul' of the best team in the East, KG's stats may have slipped, but his importance and impact on the game cannot be overlooked.  While his 15 and nine numbers won't wow you, you will find very few who object to his inclusion.

Odds he makes it: 85 percent

Al Horford

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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

Averaging 16-10 is very good, but the real reason Horford gets in is because there are no other centers worth discussing.  The Hawks get their second representative.

Odds he makes it: 95 percent

Paul Pierce

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics yells after scoring a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (

He leads the Celtics in scoring, and he is shooting a better percentage than Ray Allen. Really there is no debate here.

Odds he makes it: 95 percent

Ray Allen

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics attempts a three point shot over Vince Carter #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NO

Ultimately this spot came down to Ray Allen and Carlos Boozer (Josh Smith and Raymond Felton got some consideration, but c'mon).  A very strong case can be made for Boozer and he may very well get in, likely over Joe Johnson, but he simply hasn't played in enough games to justify a spot this year.  Ray Allen—all he's doing is shooting his best three-point percentage in his entire career. You read that right.  Four Celtics really?!?!?! 

Odds he makes it: 55 percent

Deron Williams

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball against 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 and

Is he the best point guard in the NBA?  He's certainly an All-Star, as he is for the Utah Jazz this season.

Odds he gets in: 75 percent

Manu Ginobili

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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

Forty wins, seven losses: That's the Spurs record, and Manu is both their best player and their leading scorer this season.

Odds he makes it: 95 percent

Dirk Nowitzki

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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 25: Forward Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks holds his eye after being hit during play against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center on January 25, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Still one of the best, and his importance was highlighted when he missed a few games, and the Mavs went into a tailspin.

Odds he makes it: 99 percent

Blake Griffin

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 01: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to his dunk in front of DeJuan Blair #45 and Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center on December 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER:

He averages 22 points and almost 13 rebounds a game, oh yeah, and all those incredible plays.  Blake Griffin is the most exciting rookie since LeBron James and he has almost single-handedly started to change the culture for LA's other team.  He's not a gimmick and he deserves a spot.

Odds he makes it: 45 percent

Pau Gasol

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks over Paul Millsap #24 of the Utah Jazz in the second half at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Jazz 120-91. NOTE TO USER: Use

He'll most likely start in place of Yao Ming, and he presents the easy choice for the center pick from the West.  The Lakers certainly deserve more than one All-Star, and Pau earns the spot.

Odds he makes it: 99 percent

Russell Westbrook

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ATLANTA - JANUARY 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks against Josh Smith #5 and Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 18, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

This is where the picks begin to get extremely tough.  Steve Nash and Tony Parker got serious consideration for this spot, but Westbrook deserves it.  He is the biggest reason the Thunder have made a jump this season and lead their division (Carmelo distracting the Nuggets aside).  Averaging 22.6, 8.5, and 5.2 is incredible too, by the way.  He's taken a huge leap this year and deserves to be rewarded.

Odds he makes it: 25 percent

Kevin Love

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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

The toughest pick to make came down to Kevin Love or Tim Duncan (though Tim Duncan would be picked by Stern as Yao Ming's replacement in my perfect world).  Tim Duncan's numbers are way down this year, as his minutes have dropped, but his team is 40-7, and he is clearly still a vital cog. 

Kevin Love plays on a losing team, but he is having special year.  Ultimately, his year is too special to pass up.  He had a 30/30 game people and he leads the NBA by two full rebounds per game.  Rebounds are important, Love's in.

Odds he makes it: 30 percent