2012 NBA All-Star Game: Predicting Rosters for East and West Teams in Orlando
With the lockout still hanging over the heads of NBA fans and players everywhere, it may be a bit premature to look ahead to the 2012 All-Star Game.
That said, it's still an interesting way to look at the most talented and most popular players that the league has to offer.
When you look through the rosters, try to remember how the players are selected.
Each conference starts two guards, two forwards and a center. The guards can both be shooting guards, both be point guards or be one of each. And the same goes for the two forward positions but with small forwards and power forwards.
It's also important to note that the starters are not necessarily the best players at their positions, just the ones that have the largest number of fan votes.
As for the reserves, each conference gets seven of them, and they're selected by the head coaches. The reserves are comprised of two guards, two forwards, one center and then two players selected regardless of position.
Then there's the coaches. Each conference's All-Star coach is determined by the win-loss records of the teams at the All-Star break. But the Pat Riley Rule prevents coaches from earning this honor in back-to-back seasons, rendering Greg Popovich and Doc Rivers ineligible this year.
With that in mind, read on for your 2012 All-Star Game roster preview.
Eastern Guard: Derrick Rose
1 of 15Position: Point Guard
Age: 22
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 25.0 points, 7.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds
All-Star Selections: Two
It's quite possible that our reigning league MVP is nowhere near realizing his full potential. In fact, I may go so far as to say that it's not only possible but certain.
Derrick Rose has been blessed with a tremendous work ethic, one that has allowed to him to realize where flaws exist and go out of his way to fix them. If the Chicago Bulls' point guard recognizes his weakness in the downtown shooting department and then fixes it, well, look out Eastern Conference.
Rose is a fantastic scorer whose number is called more often than not on the offensive side of the court. While he's by no means a true point guard, that's not what the Bulls are asking him to be.
Western Guard: Chris Paul
2 of 15Position: Point guard
Age: 26
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 15.9 points, 9.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds
All-Star Selections: Four
Not to discredit anything that I said about Derrick Rose on the previous slide, but Chris Paul is the absolute best point guard in the game when he's completely healthy. Even though he's not as gifted a scorer as his Eastern counterpart, CP3 is one of the most cerebral players in the game today and an absolutely brilliant floor manager.
No player is better at making his teammates look better than Paul, and I see no reason why this is going to change during the next season. If anything, the possibility of an extended layoff thanks to the lockout helps Paul and his battered knees recover even more.
In what many expect to be his last hurrah with the Hornets, Paul is going to put together yet another stellar campaign during the 2011-12 season.
Eastern Guard: Dwyane Wade
3 of 15Position: Shooting guard
Age: 29
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 25.5 points, 4.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds
All-Star Selections: Seven
Dwyane Wade may not be the best player on his own team anymore, but that doesn't diminish his status as the best shooting guard in the NBA. Yes, I'm including the guy you'll see taking up the second guard spot for the Western Conference on the next slide.
Wade is the premier slasher in this league and seems to be able to get to the rim at will. His blow-by speed is unbelievable, and it doesn't matter which defender stands in his way. After all, there's a reason he once earned the nickname "Flash."
As the wins start adding up in Miami, so too will the votes for No. 3.
Western Guard: Kobe Bryant
4 of 15Position: Shooting guard
Age: 32
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 25.3 points, 4.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds
All-Star Selections: 13
Although the gap between the present day and Kobe Bryant's prime is growing wider and wider as every day passes, the Black Mamba is still one of the absolute top-notch players in all of the NBA.
That said, he still has many of the skills and the same killer mentality that he has always possessed even if injuries and advancing age are starting to hamper his ability to be effective on an everyday basis.
Bryant remains the unquestioned leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, but don't be surprised to see him take a bit of a smaller role this next season.
In my opinion, Bryant is now the fourth best player in the league, which is still quite impressive when you stop and realize just how many superstars the NBA can currently lay claim to.
When you combine that incredible gift for the game of basketball with his immense popularity around the country, he's a lock for a 14th All-Star game selection.
Eastern Forward: LeBron James
5 of 15Position: Small forward
Age: 26
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 26.7 points, 7.0 assists, 7.5 rebounds
All-Star Selections: Seven
Love him or hate him, please don't deny that LeBron James is an incredible talent on the basketball court. That talent is enough to make him the best player currently playing today, bar none.
James may not have won a championship ring yet, and he may have earned a reputation (deservedly or not) for fading away when the going gets tough, but he is an amazingly impressive basketball player.
But he's become more than just a basketball player now. If you looked up the definition of "household name" in the dictionary, you would see James' picture staring right back at you. Please don't actually do that, but if you do, gullible is written on your ceiling.
My mom, bless her heart, tries her best to keep up with sports, so she can have conversations about them with my younger brother, my dad and I whenever the opportunity arises.
After the NBA Finals, even she was making jokes about LeBron's fourth quarter disappearances and telling me that I would only get three quarters back if I asked LeBron for change for a dollar.
When you've reached that level of stardom and add in the terrific on-court performances, you're certain to make the All-Star squad.
Western Forward: Kevin Durant
6 of 15Position: Small forward
Age: 22
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 27.7 points, 2.7 assists, 6.8 rebounds
All-Star Selections: Two
Can you believe that Kevin Durant is still only 22 years old? It's hard to fathom that a player as young as Durant has accomplished quite as much as the Oklahoma City Thunder small forward has in his career.
Durant has been in the league for just four seasons and been a part of two All-Star squads and two All-NBA First Teams. He's even led the entire NBA in scoring for each of the past two seasons, and there's no reason to believe he doesn't have the potential to three-peat in that area.
No. 35 is just a man who loves to play basketball and was born to put the ball in the hoop. How many players dream about playing in Rucker Park AFTER their NBA careers have taken off? How many players live, eat, sleep, dream and breathe basketball quite like Durant does? The answer to both of those questions is not many.
Even with the myriad other talented young players firmly in place in OKC, Durant will remain the No. 1 option. There's no looking back now as he continues his quest towards the top of the NBA ranks.
Eastern Forward: Carmelo Anthony
7 of 15Position: Small forward
Age: 27
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 25.6 points, 2.9 assists, 7.3 rebounds
All-Star Selections: Four
Carmelo Anthony made four All-Star teams as a member of the Denver Nuggets and will likely add to that total as a part of the revamped New York Knicks. Although he's no longer the only star in town, Melo is still going to remain one of the league's absolute top scorers.
He will have to adjust to Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense that may put a nix on his tendency to hold onto the ball well into the shot clock, but Anthony is offensively talented enough to take that in stride.
I wouldn't expect him to compete for a scoring title in the city that never sleeps unless Stoudemire's knees give out for good, but I would expect slightly worse production that this past season. That level of play would still allow him to make the All-Star team with plenty of votes to spare.
Western Forward: Blake Griffin
8 of 15Position: Power forward
Age: 22
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 22.5 points, 3.8 assists, 12.1 rebounds
All-Star Selections: One
By the time All-Star voting finishes, Blake Griffin may very well be the most popular player in the league. What's not to like about the personal, hard-working, high-flying, SportsCenter highlight-producing young man who is turning around a pitiable franchise?
As good as Griffin's rookie season was, he's only going to get better as he adds more post moves and a reliable jumper to his arsenal. I wouldn't doubt anything when it comes to Griffin.
He could just as easily break his neck by hitting his head on the backboard as he could become the league MVP as soon as next season.
Regardless of the ceiling, Griffin's floor is still higher than most other power forwards in the league. So too is his popularity.
Lock him in to the roster now.
Eastern Center: Dwight Howard
9 of 15Position: Center
Age: 25
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks
All-Star Selections: Five
The three-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year is clearly the best player in the league on that end of the court, regardless of position.
As scary as it is, he's only getting better and better on the other end after averaging 22.9 points per game last season for a Orlando Magic team that was nowhere near what it has been in the past.
Dwight Howard is the best center in the league. There is no doubt about it. In fact, the gap between Howard and the second-best center in the NBA is larger than the No. 1 and No. 2 player at any other position.
Although it's not entirely related, I'll go ahead and give my opinion on those rankings here.
No. 1 and 2 point guards: Chris Paul and Derrick Rose, respectively, as are all the other sets.
No. 1 and 2 shooting guards: Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant.
No. 1 and 2 small forwards: LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
No. 1 and 2 power forwards: Dirk Nowitzki and Amar'e Stoudemire.
No. 1 and 2 centers: Dwight Howard and Al Horford.
See what I mean? The only way that Howard doesn't earn this spot is if he is traded to a team in the Western Conference.
Western Center: Andrew Bynum
10 of 15Position: Center
Age: 23
2010-11 Per Game Stats: 11.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks
All-Star Selections: Zero
Yes, I know this seems crazy. Andrew Bynum has never played at an All-Star level before for any extended periods of time thanks to injuries and a resounding failure to live up to his immense potential thus far.
But now, stop and consider the other centers that call the Western Conference home: DeJuan Blair, Tyson Chandler (if he stays in Dallas), Serge Ibaka, Nene Hilario (if he stays in Denver), Greg Oden, Emeka Okafor, Marc Gasol, Chuck Hayes, Marcin Gortat, Al Jefferson, Andris Biedrins (if he stays in Golden State), DeAndre Jordan, Samuel Dalembert and Darko Milicic.
Do any of those names scare you? That's what I thought.
Eastern Reserves
11 of 15Guard: Deron Williams
In his new New Jersey Nets uniform, look for Deron Williams to be just as good as he was while in Utah. He might not average 20 points and 10 assists per game again, but he'll still be elite.
Guard: Rajon Rondo
The young point guard for the Boston Celtics can only get better at shooting the ball and his passing skills are virtually unmatched.
With a larger role thanks to the inevitable decline of the Big Three, Rajon Rondo's star will shine even brighter.
Guard: John Wall
Despite playing with a ton of young, inexperienced players in Washington, John Wall put up some incredible numbers during his rookie season. He's only going to get better and better.
Forward: Chris Bosh
He may have been somewhat of a punching bag during this past season, but Chris Bosh still made last year's All-Star team and should play at a comparable level this next year as the Miami Heat get even better.
Forward: Paul Pierce
Even though Paul Pierce is no longer the all-time great that he once was, he's still a premier scorer in the NBA and retains immense popularity with the incredibly large Boston Celtics fanbase. Pierce is too valuable a player to leave off this roster entirely.
Forward: Amar'e Stoudemire
A great offensive talent, Amar'e Stoudemire's offensive numbers may take a slight dip with Carmelo Anthony now in town for a full season. Fortunately for him, there's a lot of leeway before he dips below the All-Star cutoff.
Center: Al Horford
The second-best center in the NBA, Al Horford should make his second All-Star team despite not even playing at his natural power forward position. If Josh Smith leaves, as many expect he will, Horford's role for the Atlanta Hawks will only increase.
Notable Snubs: Kevin Garnett, Danny Granger, Andre Iguodala, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith
Western Reserves
12 of 15Guard: Russell Westbrook
One of the most physically gifted point guards in the NBA, Russell Westbrook took leaps and bounds forward in his development last season and became a true threat to score or dish out an assist at any point. He and the Oklahoma City Thunder are only going to continue getting better.
Guard: Rudy Gay
An unfortunate injury sidelined him for the end of the season and the Memphis Grizzlies' memorable playoff run, but Rudy Gay is by no means a disposable asset for the Grizz.
As good as they were with Zach Randolph leading the charge, they'll be even better with Gay at the helm once more.
Guard: Eric Gordon
Blake Griffin's running mate in Los Angeles, Eric Gordon made tremendous progress after his time with the national team at the FIBA World Championships. A second season averaging over 22 points per game coupled with a repeat of the rest of his numbers should earn him a reserve spot.
Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
The biggest snub on the All-Star rosters last season, LaMarcus Aldridge is going to play with a chip on his shoulder all year long now. If he averages 21.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game once more next season, he's a shoo-in.
Forward: Kevin Love
The biggest question surrounding Kevin Love will be whether or not he can handle the added pressure next season and prove once and for all that his 2010-11 campaign was by no means a fluke. I think he can.
Forward: Dirk Nowitzki
It's amazing that Dirk Nowitzki can't make his way into the starting lineup on the Western squad, but he's not going to surpass either Kevin Durant or Blake Griffin. Durant is a better player and Griffin is too popular now to lose the fan vote.
As a result, the reigning Finals MVP is relegated to the reserves.
Center: Marc Gasol
Assuming that he stays with the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol will pair up with Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph to form an incredible team that no one in their right mind would want to face.
Gasol broke out during the playoffs last season and should pick up right where he left off.
Notable Snubs: Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, Zach Randolph
Eastern Coach: Eric Spoelstra
13 of 15The Chicago Bulls may have had the best regular season record in the Eastern Conference last year, but that title will belong to the Miami Heat during the 2011-12 campaign.
With LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all fully accustomed to playing together, the trio could become extremely deadly. Couple that with a healthy Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem and improvement is definitely coming. That's without any free-agency splashes, which could still be coming.
There is no better team in the East, which means that Eric Spoelstra will be pacing the sidelines in Orlando.
Western Coach: Scott Brooks
14 of 15It's going to be difficult to bet against the Oklahoma City Thunder next season.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook form the most dynamic duo in the entire league with the slight exception of two guys that call South Beach home. James Harden broke out in a big way and will make a ton of people fear the beard next season if he remains the sixth man and doesn't push Thabo Sefolosha.
Then there's Serge Ibaka, the young blocking machine who is only improving on the offensive end, and Kendrick Perkins.
All of this adds up to a very impressive young contender that I'm sure Scott Brooks is quite pleased to lead.
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15 of 15Adam Fromal is a syndicated writer and Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
