In A Perfect World: Kobe Bryant and The NBA's Salary All-Stars

So much of NBA player contracts has to do with timing.

Oftentimes, players can get a huge payday following a good season, a good playoff run or even simply a good month.

I'm not suggesting that any player is worth what he gets, but everything is relative.

Bottom line: the best players should make the most money.

Now that the All-Star rosters have been filled out, I take a look at who would be playing if the highest-paid players were indeed the most deserving of being All-Stars.

Now from 24 to one.

Jason Richardson, Orlando Magic

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 24: Jason Richardson #23 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot over Tracy McGrady #1 of the Detroit Pistons during the game at Amway Arena on January 24, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Let's put it this way: if this were legit, it would mark his first All-Star selection.

Nevertheless, he'll make $14.44 million this season.

Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 15: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat reacts after a play against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Heat 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Chris Bosh was selected to his sixth straight All-Star game Thursday.

LeBron James, Miami Heat

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat posts up Daniel Gibson #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

LeBron James will earn the same amount as Bosh this season and was selected to his seventh consecutive All-Star team Jan. 27. 

Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

George Frey/Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 8: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz drives on Carlos Arroyo #8 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 the Jazz 111-98. NOTE TO

Deron Williams played as well as anyone in November.

He was selected to participate in his second All-Star game Thursday.

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets puts up a shot over Steve Nash #13 and Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets

Chris Paul earns the same as D-Will.

Coincidence?

I doubt it.

He's an All-Star this season for the fourth time.

Peja Stojakovic, Dallas Mavericks

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Stojakovic is scheduled to make his Dallas debut on Feb. 7.

He has three All-Star selections, but none since 2004.

Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Elton Brand has two All-Star games under his belt, both with the Clippers in 2002 and 2006.

Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat tries to get off a shot against Kenyon Martin #4 and Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER:

Kenyon Martin: 2004 All-Star with a 2010-11 salary of $16.45 million.

Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

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

The biggest winner in free agency in Summer 2010 was Joe Johnson.

He was named to his fifth straight All-Star game this season.

Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks during his game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

Amar'e was all smiles after he signed with New York last summer.

He was selected as a starter in the 2011 NBA All-Star game, his sixth such honor.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic grabs a rebound against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

The two-time defending NBA Defensive Player of the Year will earn $16.49 million this season.

He was selected to start in his fifth consecutive All-Star game on Jan. 27.

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on as he warms up for the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USE

He's a Nugget for now.

No matter who he ends the year with, the four-time All-Star will earn $17.15 million this season.

Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 02: Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies is defended by Ron Artest (L) #15 and Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on January 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER:

This nightly 20-10 threat will make $17.66 million this season. 

He made his All-Star debut in 2010.

Vince Carter, Phoenix Suns

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Vince Carter #25 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three point shot over Marcus Thornton #5 of the New Orleans Hornets during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets

This eight-time All-Star hasn't been selected as such since 2007.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

This one makes sense: Dirk Nowitzki, 10-time All-Star, $17.3 million for 2010-11.

Gilbert Arenas, Orlando Magic

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Gilbert Arenas #1 of the Orlando Magic moves past Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Arenas made three straight All-Star appearances from 2005-2007.

He's still getting paid for it.

Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during their game at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Yao has been selected as an All-Star each season he's been on the ballot.

He was voted in as a starter this year for the eighth time in nine seasons.

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket past Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

AK-47 has a million-dollar nickname, but his play was All-Star worthy just once, back in 2004.

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Mehmet Okur #13 of the Utah Jazz attempts to steal the ball from Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Jazz 120-91

Pau is a two-time NBA champion, a four-time All-Star and the sixth-highest-paid player for the 2010-11 season.

Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY - OCTOBER 29: Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket past Chris Wilcox #54 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center on October 29, 2008 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Bucks won 98-87. NOTE TO USER: User expres

Redd was an All-Star back in 2004, making $3 million that season.

That sounds more appropriate than the $18.3 he's making this year.

He has yet to appear in a game this season for Milwaukee.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: Tim Duncan #21 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 us

Four championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, two regular-season MVPs and an All-Star selection for the 13th straight time.

I'm okay with this one.

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics before 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 acknowledges and

KG will make $18.83 million this season. If the 14-time All-Star can lead the Celtics to another title, it will be worth it. 

Rashard Lewis, Washington Wizards

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 08: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Washington Wizards looks to pass the ball around Kwame Brown #54 of the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 8, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User

Rashard Lewis is a two-time All-Star and the second-highest-paid player in the NBA this season.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket over teammate Andrew Bynum #17 against the Boston Celtics in the second half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeat

Bryant is a five-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star.

Arguably the best player in the game will earn the most money in the NBA this season at $24.8 million.

The world makes sense again.