NBA All-Star: Probable Starters

Toronto is all set to host the All-Star game in February.On Thursday before the Los Angeles Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers game, the NBA announced the starters for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto. As usual the fan’s vote over a month and a half period for who they want to see on the court when the game tips off in February.Kobe led the voting with 1.9 million votes, while LeBron James led the Eastern Conference with 1.1 million votes. The All-Star game will be held on February 14th marking the first time it has been in Toronto.

#1 Western Conference

Kobe Bryant was the top vote-getter for the All-Star game.

BC: Stephen Curry – This was a no-brainer as Curry has been the best player on a historic team through the first half of the season. He is playing with a more carefree attitude than we have ever seen and it is producing the greatest three point shooting we have ever seen. It doesn’t hurt that he is every teenager and little kid’s favorite player.

BC: Russell Westbrook - The Thunder’s dynamic guard seems like he has found the perfect way to play alongside Kevin Durant this season, as he is averaging more assists than ever and scoring efficiently. He is the most relentless attacker in the league and is duly rewarded as a starter.

FC: Kobe Bryant - Everyone knows this is a legacy pick and a tip of the cap to one of the best ever to lace them up. Kobe has started to play better as the season has gone on. Here’s hoping he can be on the court healthy one last time in the All-Star game.

FC: Kevin Durant - The Thunder’s other superstar has bounced back greatly from last season’s injury plagued year, and might be playing his best all around the ball. Just like Westbrook, he has found almost the perfect way to play with his sidekick and his on the quest for a 50/40/90 season.

FC: Kawhi Leonard - Have no fear, the Spurs, sporting the best point differential of all time through 42 games, have a starter, and what a gem Leonard has been this year. Fresh off winning the Defensive Player of the Year last season, Leonard is now a 48% three-point shooter and unquestioned number one option on offense. His star is fully realized with this start.

#2 Eastern Conference

LeBron James was the Eastern Conference’s leading vote-getter.

BC: Dwyane Wade - Wade is still chugging along, using his crafty old man game to score 18 points per game this season. His shooting percentage has dipped but he still finds a way to keep defenders off balance and get to the free throw line to buoy his efficiency.

BC: Kyle Lowry - Skinny Kyle has been a blast to watch this season, bullying his way to the cup and stroking the ball from deep at a 38% clip. He also plays dogged defense on the other team’s ball handler and has lead to the Raptors to the second-best record in the East. The Toronto fans will love that he is starting.

FC: LeBron James - Just as the sun rises in the East, LeBron James will be starting for the Eastern Conference. Even though he is not quite at his regular season apex anymore, he still affect the game as much as anyone on the court. He’s tossing up 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game and it’s not even one of his top five seasons.

FC: Paul George - Fresh off breaking his leg in the summer of 2014, George has come back this season and been better than ever. He leads the Pacers on both ends of the floor and is keeping a Pacers team in flux very competitive in the East.

FC: Carmelo Anthony - While everyone loves the rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis (rightfully so), Melo has been playing some of the finest all-around balls of his career and has the Knicks just outside the playoff picture in the East. Since the last month, he is showing signs of being almost all the way back from 2015 knee surgery.

#3 Western Snubs

The heart and soul of the Warriors should be a starter.

There is one snub and one snub only in the Western Conference and that is Draymond Green. The Golden State Warriors are on pace for 74 wins and absolutely deserve two starters in the All-Star game, but I understand why Kobe is starting. And honestly, I’m not mad about it, Kobe deserves a send off at the NBA’s exhibition and I am glad he is getting it.

But don’t think for a second anyone deserves that third front court starting spot more than Draymond. It is quite an insult that Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia got more All Star votes than Green.

Green is currenlty averaging 14.5 points per game, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, all while playing All-NBA defense and serving as the heart beat for the team with the best record. Steph Curry might be the best player on the Warriors, but Green is their vocal and emotional leader who challenges them day in and day out to be great

He may rub opponents the wrong way with his brash words and antics, but don’t let that overshadow the superstar that Draymond Green has become in his fourth season.

#4 Eastern Snubs

Either Paul Millsap (white) or Chris Bosh should be starting for the East.

With all due respect to the fine careers and seasons that Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony are having, they do not quite deserve to be on the court for the tip-off of the All-Star game.

Wade has noticeably slipped from premier status, while Carmelo’s shooting efficiency has been low and he’s not quite able to hit his scoring highs like years past. You could make an argument for four people to take the two spots and, really, can’t go wrong with either.

At the guard spot, a case can be made for either Jimmy Butler or John Wall, each who are having great seasons while having to carry more of a load than expected.

In Chicago, Butler is the unquestioned number one option on offense, and has had to play with a subpar Derrick Rose for much of the year, while also being the lead defender on the team. In Washington, Wall has bounced back from a rough first month to average 22 points, 10.5 assists, and shoot 38 percent from three since December 1st.

Taking Melo’s frontcourt spot, you have either Atlanta’s Paul Millsap who is having a career year averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds on 49% shooting. While he doesn’t have Melo in raw numbers he makes up for with efficiency and the fact that his team is in the playoffs currently.

The other player who could take Melo’s spot is Chris Bosh, who plays expert defense at both the center and power forward positions while also dropping 19 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.

#5 Which Lineup is Better

These two point guards are dynamite

At first glance, you could immediately say the East, since they don’t have the giant Kobe hole in their lineup, but a more nuanced look is needed.

BC: Steph vs Lowry - One player is the best in the league right now and the other is merely really, really good. Lowry is winning a lot of matchups, but not this one.

BC: Russ vs Wade - Another win for the West, this one in big fashion as Wade is not able to match go-go nature that Westbrook brings, nor the athleticism.

FC: LeBron vs Kawhi – This matchup is oh so close, as Kawhi takes the defensive side while LeBron takes the offensive side. In the end, I give the edge to LeBron for all of his offensive creativity and the fact I think he has a little more left in the tank than what he’s showing right now.

FC: Paul George vs KD - As great of a season as George is having, he can’t come close to matching Durant’s efficiency offensively, while Durant is close enough on the defensive end to give the West a victory here.

FC: Kobe vs Melo – As much as I respect Kobe’s game, this is a landslide win for the East. Melo is ticking up in offensive efficiency and affecting the game in many other ways right now that Kobe just can’t match at his advanced age.

That gives the West a 3-2 win in matchups, and because defense is optional and I believe Kobe will have something good for the fans on February 14th, I think the West has the better lineup on the court when the game tips off.