Tonight, on the TNT pregame show at 7 PM EST, the commentators will announce the starting lineups participating in the 60th NBA All-Star Game held on February 20, 2011 at the renowned Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (The reserves are announced in a week)
Here are my picks for the Eastern Conference - both the starting lineup and the reserve players. Most sports writers and I agree on the starting five - but the key difference is the selection of the players coming off the bench.
Click Here for my predictions on the 2011 Western Conference Roster
I will present to you the starting lineup and my analysis of the reserve selections:
Eastern Conference Starting Lineup:
Eastern Conference Reserves:
Is a Lock: (UPDATE: 2/3/11):
PG Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics: Despite being sidelined for a quarter of the NBA season so far, Rondo is still an all-star-caliber player and the catalyst for the Boston Celtics' offense.
PG Raymond Felton, New York Knicks: Unlike Rondo, who started slowly, Felton - who is in his first season with the Run-N-Gun New York Knicks - started En Fuego with the team. Once the new year came around, his production as the Knicks' point guard has decreased - but he should be selected as the back-up point guard for the Eastern Conference.
SG Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
SF Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: While Rondo was out for 11 games this season, most of the assists, leadership and poise came from the wily veteran, Paul Pierce. He's been the Celtics' MVP so far - no doubt - and we should see him wear an Eastern Conference Jersey come February 20th.
PF Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics: We might see the Boston Big Three - but not the three you normally see and hear every day. Garnett, the emotional and defensive leader for the Celtics, missed 9 games with the team due to injury, but is still playing at a high level for the team. His teammate Ray Allen might not make the cut, based on the number of quality guards and forwards in the East.
C Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks: Horford has been the glue guy and MVP for the Hawks this season, leading his team in rebounds and field goal percentage.
Making the Cut: (UPDATE: 2/3/11):
PF Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls: Boozer would make the team because he and Rose have carried the Bulls to a 31-14 record and third place in the Eastern Conference. They have done this without Joakim Noah (who coincidentally shares the same birthday as me) and continue to sizzle this season. Boozer is the perfect complement to Rose's driving and slashing capability night-in and night-out.
PF Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
PF Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks: Like Al Horford, he has also played a big role for the 29-17 Hawks squad this season. He might just barely make the team over the likes of Ray Allen, Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers), Andrea Bargniani (Toronto Raptors), Chris Bosh (Miami Heat) and teammate Joe Johnson.
SG Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: Hey, At least I got the correct team!
Click Here for my predictions on the 2011 Western Conference Roster
Here are my picks for the Eastern Conference - both the starting lineup and the reserve players. Most sports writers and I agree on the starting five - but the key difference is the selection of the players coming off the bench.
Click Here for my predictions on the 2011 Western Conference Roster
I will present to you the starting lineup and my analysis of the reserve selections:
Eastern Conference Starting Lineup:
PG: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (24.6 ppg, 8.1 apg, 4.6 rpg, 1.1 spg)
SG: Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (25.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 6.5 rpg)
SF: LeBron James, Miami Heat (25.9 ppg, 7.2 apg, 7.2 rpg)
PF: Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks (26.1 ppg, 2.7 apg, 9.0 rpg)
C: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (22.0 ppg, 1.2 apg, 13.4 rpg)
Eastern Conference Reserves:
Is a Lock: (UPDATE: 2/3/11):
PG Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics: Despite being sidelined for a quarter of the NBA season so far, Rondo is still an all-star-caliber player and the catalyst for the Boston Celtics' offense.
SG Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
SF Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: While Rondo was out for 11 games this season, most of the assists, leadership and poise came from the wily veteran, Paul Pierce. He's been the Celtics' MVP so far - no doubt - and we should see him wear an Eastern Conference Jersey come February 20th.
PF Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics: We might see the Boston Big Three - but not the three you normally see and hear every day. Garnett, the emotional and defensive leader for the Celtics, missed 9 games with the team due to injury, but is still playing at a high level for the team. His teammate Ray Allen might not make the cut, based on the number of quality guards and forwards in the East.
C Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks: Horford has been the glue guy and MVP for the Hawks this season, leading his team in rebounds and field goal percentage.
Making the Cut: (UPDATE: 2/3/11):
PF Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
SG Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: Hey, At least I got the correct team!
Click Here for my predictions on the 2011 Western Conference Roster
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