Some of the NBA All-Star roster predictions have died down due to the recent announcement of the starters for West and East All-Star teams.
But now NBA fans are predicting who will be the reserves for both teams in the upcoming NBA All-Star game this coming February 16.
Now that the starters for both Western and Eastern conference has been announced, it's now time to determine the reserves for this year's All-Star game which is happening on Feb. 16, 2014 at New Orleans Arena. The announcement will be made on TNT this January 30, 2014 wherein the coaches will select the reserves. Many big names such a Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, and Al Horford won't be able to participate due to injury. To start with, the Starters for the Western Conference All-Stars will be Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. However, Kobe Bryant requested to be replaced since he was injured for the most part of the season and wishes for a younger player to start in his place. So, who will replace Bryant? James Harden. Kevin Durant is the leading vote getter for the West All-Stars with 1,396,294 votes. So, let us guess who we think will make the cut for the Western Conference on this exhibition game every basketball fan is excited about.
Tim Duncan: the Big Fundamental, will be appearing on his 15th all-star game. Yes, we will definitely see him in this year's game. Right now though he is playing on borrowed time! This is not how a man his age (37 years old) is supposed to play; most guys at whose at the twilight of their careers are sitting at the end of the bench cheering for his younger teammates. He's been averaging 14.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg on 47.3% fg shooting. He has helped his team, the San Antonio Spurs; achieve another winning record alongside his longtime backcourt partner, Tony Parker.
LaMarcus Aldridge is playing his best season in his NBA career right now. He is leading the young Portland Trail Blazers team to the top of the Western Conference. He averages 24.2 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 47.6% fg pct., and if we look carefully, most of his shots are coming from the perimeter and that just shows terrific efficiency.
Dwight Howard has been tearing up the stat sheets again this season. Coming from a forgettable season with the Los Angeles Lakers, he is now playing with a renewed purpose for the Houston Rockets. He is back to his Orlando Magic days where he rebounds at a great rate; hustles for every possession, and most importantly, he is smiling again, which means he enjoys playing basketall again. Right now, the Houston Rockets are one of the elite teams in the Western Conference and he is not surprisingly the biggest reason in transforming this young Rockets team to a possible title contender. He's been averaging 18.3 ppg, 12.6 rpg, and 58% fg shooting, the only thing that would make it a dream season for Howard is if he can improve his 52% Free Throw shooting.
Damian Lillard: The hot-shooting point guard of the Portland Trail Blazers has been lighting up from 3 point range since the start of the 2013-2014 NBA season. Be it a spot-up or pull-up jumpers, you name it! He will make it. Coming from a stellar 2012-2013 NBA season in which he won the Rookie of the Year award, he is totally making the jump to stardom. This season, he's been averaging 21.2 ppg, 5.8 apg, and he's been making 3 out of 7 attempts which translates to 43 percent shooting from downtown, that is just terrific efficiency,
Tony Parker: Although Tony Parker has been on and off this season, but he is definitely one of the key reasons why the San Antonio Spurs are enjoying another winning season. Averaging 18.4 ppg, 6.3 apg on 51.6 percent shooting, he is the one orchestrating this San Antonio offense for Greg Popovich's team which has made a lot of opposing teams look silly.
Anthony Davis has been a revelation this season. On just his sophomore year in the NBA, his stats are phenomenal as he is contributing on every category in the stat sheet. He is averaging 20.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 3.0 bpg. If he has not been injured for a more than a month and his New Orleans Pelicans is on the winning track, he should definitely be a no-brainer pick.
Dirk Nowitzki: The sweet shooting German never cease to amaze fans on that shooting stroke. At his age, he is still averaging 21.1 ppg, on 48% fg shooting and 39% 3pt shooting. What's more impressive is he keeps the Dallas Mavericks afloat on a very competitive Western Conference along who is not expected to be on the playoffs this season.
Honorable Mention:
Goran Dragic has been one of the most underrated point guard in the NBA ever since he started his NBA career. He has always been overshadowed by his mentor Steve Nash and was only seen as good as a reserve point guard. But this season, it is impossible to overlook the type of effort Dragic is bringing in for the Phoenix Suns. After three years, the Suns are now back on the winning track and even playoff contention. Although it has been a total team effort, plus the emergence of Eric Bledsoe who is currently on the injured list, Dragic might be getting a bit more credit here, but still 19.4 ppg, 5.9 apg on 49% FT shooting is remarkable and All-Star worthy.
Now that we are done with Western All-Star Team, let's talk about the East All-Stars!
The Starters for the Eastern Conference All-Stars will be Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Paul George, Dwayne Wade and Kyrie Irving. LeBron James is the leading vote getter for the East All-Stars with 1,416,419 votes. So, let us guess who we think will make the cut for the Eastern Conference All-Star team!
Andre Drummond is one of those players who every fan anticipates to perform a highlight reel, and fans love seeing spectacular dunks in an All-Star game. Not only is he a phenomenal athlete, but he is also having a breakout season worthy of being an All-Star. He is averaging 12.6 ppg, 12.6 rpg and 1.8 bpg. For a player who is just on his second year of his NBA season, he is showing way more potential and someday might make him one of the best centers in the NBA.
Joakim Noah: ever since Derrick Rose went down with another devastating injury, and Luol Deng being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, it seemed that all hope was lost for the Chicago Bulls. However, they should have known better that they still have the guy with the biggest heart in the NBA. Joakim Noah has been averaging 11.7 ppg, 11.4 ppg, and 3.9 apg. Although those numbers might not look that impressive, if you watch the Bulls play, Noah is the catalyst that makes his teammates play harder. He is just that infectious. In the All-Star game, where defense is seldom played, it would be great if someone can insert some sense of competitiveness that will make the game lovelier to watch.
Roy Hibbert: The Indiana Pacers stalwart, has been one of the biggest key as to why the Indiana Pacers are enjoying great success. Aside from Paul George's ascension to superstardom, he has been holding opposing teams' offense by blocking and changing shots. Although his stats may not be as impressive (12.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 2.6 bpg), With the amount of work Hibbert has put on his craft, he is one worthy candidate to represent the East All-Stars.
Paul Millsap turned out to be one of the greatest off-season moves for the Atlanta Hawks in franchise history. Some even thought that he was overpaid but he proved his critics wrong. He is averaging 17.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, and 2.9 apg & carrying the Hawks since Al Horford went down with a Torn Right Pectoral injury. It may be debatable though if he or his teammate Jeff Teague will Represent the Hawks in the All-Star game. Nevertheless, The Hawks must not head to the All-Star weekend without a representative as they are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.
John Wall has lived up to the expectations when he was chosen as the number 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He is averaging 20.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 8.5 apg for the Wizards who seems to be playoff bound this season. His jumper has become more consistent & he is almost impossible to stop on the fast break. In the next few years, I wouldn't be surprised if the Washington Wizards become one of the East's top contenders and might give Miami and Indiana a run for their money.
Chris Bosh: It seems wherever Lebron James & Dwayne Wade go, so does Chris Bosh. The third member of the big 3 has been performing well this season, especially when one or two of his co-stars are out with injury. He stepped up big time against the Los Angeles Lakers by scoring 31 points last Jan. 23 when Wade was out and LeBron not as effective as usual. Which is why this year, there are no questions if he should be part of the All-Star Game.
Kemba Walker: The Charlotte Bobcats are finally on the hunt for a playoff spot again since the Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson era. This past off-season, they acquired Utah Jazz big man Al Jefferson. However, the big man was plagued by injuries. Kemba Walker carried his Bobcats team on his shoulder and is averaging 18.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.0 apg. Kemba is one of those few bright spots looking back at the Charlotte Bobcats draft history.
Honorable Mention:
Evan Turner: Just when everyone is about to give up on Evan Turner and consider him a bust, he suddenly lived-up to his draft status and is having a break-out season. He has now fully adjusted to the NBA game and he is one of the strongest candidates to win the Most Improved Player Award. The 76ers has been a very fun team to watch not only because of Turner, who is averaging 18.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 3.7 apg, but also his teammates who have improved a lot. The future is bright for the city of brotherly love, as they are in the position to land a high pick in the talented 2014 NBA draft as well.
What do you think? Are we right with our predictions? What are your NBA All-Star 2014 Roster Predictions?
