For the East, the starting lineup has been set as
G Allen Iverson
G Dwyane Wade
F LeBron James
F Kevin Garnett
C Dwight Howard
As for the West, the starting lineup will consist of
G Chris Paul
G Kobe Bryant
F Amare Stoudemire
F Tim Duncan
C Yao Ming
Of course, these are all big time names and each of them deserve a good argument to be awarded a starting position in this event but there are plenty of other names that are more deserving, if not by a lot more. One of the biggest controversies in deciding these positions is the popularity contest. Every one of these guys is a big time name and are easily some of the most exciting players to watch in the league, but many can agree with me that they aren't the most deserving this season.
Starting from the Eastern Conference,
Allen Iverson? I don't know if this crossed anyone elses minds, but the mans been in Detroit for only a few months. He got traded over from the West so therefore, I don't understand how he could be awarded not only a spot on the Eastern team but the starting point guard position? The top three point guards in the East this season are without a doubt Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, and Rajon Rondo. They might not be big time names like AI, but they have all outperformed him and they have all led there teams, as the floor leader, to success respectably. Without a doubt, AI never fails to be exciting to watch, going coast to coast, going hard to the basket, and taking some of the toughest shots possible but this is the All Star Game. Let the top performers for the season get their well deserved spots. Any of these three would be a smart choice as this year's starter at point but AI is a no no.
DWade... To some, the man out of Robbins Illinois, deserves this spot more than any other shooting guard. Some may argue, though, that a certain guy named Joe Johnson or maybe even Mr. Funk himself, Vince Carter, deserves that starting position more. Wade has been renown as one of the most versatile players in the league and he is capable of doing almost anything. But wait just one moment, did you know that the Hawks are currently 4th overall in the Eastern Conference? They have a winning record for the first time in years? Joe Johnson has led this team through injuries and tough losses and has taken over games in crunch time. The man can turn it on whenever he wants and is capable of winning games in clutch situations. He might not be into dunking so much but the man can do anything you need him to do when it comes to stepping up and taking care of business. Vince Carter.. Some may say his legs are getting old and he just doesn't have the same kind of juice he once had as a Raptor. I can't keep track of how many game winners and clutch shots the stud has made in just this season. He has played above expectations as age has supposedly started to kick in and his dunks are just as powerful and smooth as before. In the end, Dwyane Wade is the right choice for the starter but who could go against JJ and VC?
LeBron James. Why bother trying to make an argument for any other small forward in the entire league. There couldn't be a wiser choice here.
Kevin Garnett.. This man was once a league MVP and the most difficult man to stop on the court. He isn't the same Garnett from back then but he is still one of the top players in the NBA. He is obviously a huge part of why Boston has been successful this season but there is another name that deserves the spot in place of KG. Chris Bosh. He has had a breakout season. The guy has turned it up a notch when some believed he hit the pinnacle of his game. The Raptors might not be too hot right now but other than because of his nasty hairstyle, Bosh has plenty of reason to wonder why his name wasn't on that starting roster. Maybe you should consider trying to shave your head or something, Chris. CB4 should be starting but KG isn't a bad choice either. You decide for yourself.
Dwight Howard. His nickname is superman. What more do you need to stay. He has improved so much since he was first drafted and not many people probably thought that he would become this destructive. He is a force and can do things most big men only dream of doing.
Now to the West...
Chris Paul.. He is a top candidate for this year's MVP award and with all due respect to the deep talent in point guards in the West, CP3's competition for this starting spot wasn't even close.
Kobe Bryant. This guy can do whatever he wants. He can lock you down, score on you, slam it down your throat, and end your dreams of acquiring a championship ring. He is the Jordan of this generation and all you haters can argue all you want, Kobe is the best active player in the NBA.
Amare Stoudemire... The man child is not even a small forward first of all. I know that KG and Dirk have been in this same position in the past, but Amare doesn't really fit this position. Believe me, he can do many things that could badly hurt a defender's feelings. He definitely deserves to be in the All Star Game, but my choice for the starting small forward would be... actually you know what? Amare sounds good to me.. Other than him, I guess someone can make an argument for Kevin Durant to be the go to starter at this position but it isn't going to be me that backs him up. Carmelo would have been the favored choice, but injuries seem to keep him from really being in this argument.
Tim Duncan. The 7 foot former swimmer from the Virgin Islands will soon enough find himself in the hall of fame but his game is so fundamental, I just can't favor him as the starter. I know I said that this is for the best players of the year and not the flashiest, but fundamental Timmy needs to come off the bench. Sorry big guy. Give it to Pau.. How about Al Jefferson? Let him gain SOME joy out of this season.
Yao Ming. The Great Wall of China is a tower and a force. It just wouldn't be right for him not to start. And besides, until the guy retires, the Chinese population won't stop voting for him. Yo.. Yao..
So for the most part, the picks for this year's starters seem accurate enough but there can be plenty of arguments made for some of the guys that got the short end of the deal. In reality, what's the big deal of starting in an All Star game. As long as your in it, if you come out and do your thing, you'll probably end up being the one that gets the most playing time. Just a thought.. So why did I just spend the last half hour writing all that? It's just what I do.
Let me know what you want to hear me rant on about in the next article. My ears are open.
-Jason Chong
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