NBA All Star Game 2014: Predicting the rosters

Western Conference Starters

Backcourt – Chris Paul, LA Clippers – Yes, I know that Chris Paul is injured. I really do. The Clippers star hasn’t appeared in a game since January 3rd, and he’ll be out approximately 6 weeks with a shoulder injury. In fact, it’s a very real possibility that he won’t be available to play in the All-Star game at all. The “problem” is that it doesn’t matter. Paul has been the best guard in the entire NBA this season, leading the league in assists (11.2 per game) while scoring nearly 20 points per game and posting top-3 marks in PER and win shares. There is no argument against CP3 as a choice, and given the fact that he played 34 games pre-injury, it’s more than enough to get him here.

Backcourt – Stephen Curry, Golden State – Quick resume check for Steph Curry. 1) Top-10 in PER, 2) Top-10 in scoring, 3) Top-2 in assists, 4) Leading the hottest team in the NBA. Okay, I think I can stop. It’s amazing to think that Curry is only 25 years old at this stage, but the sharp-shooting guard is, once again, taking the league by storm. Some people may dispute his inclusion over guys like Harden and Westbrook (or Lillard and Parker), but Curry’s team success pushes him up, and any thought that he “couldn’t play point guard” is long gone with his 9+ assists per game.

Frontcourt – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City – Let’s see. Kevin Durant is leading the league in scoring, PER, and win shares while leading a West contender without the benefit of his No. 2 guy in the lineup. Any questions?

Frontcourt – Kevin Love, Minnesota – Love has the most impressive statistical profile of anyone not named Lebron James or Kevin Durant. He’s in the top-5 of both PER and win shares (for the more “advanced” crowd), and in the top-5 in both rebounding (13.1 per game) and scoring (25.5 per game). The former UCLA Bruin has come under some fire for the way Minnesota has performed (currently 18-19 in the standings), but he’s done basically everything possible to keep them afloat.

Frontcourt – LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland – Lastly, LaMarcus Aldridge captains the best “story” of the 2013-2014 season. Portland has emerged from virtually nowhere to post a 28-9 record, and LMA has been off-the-charts good. He’s averaging a career-high 11.0 rebounds per game to go with nearly 24 points per contest, and while Damian Lillard gets a ton of credit for leading them in crunch time, there are very few shots that are more “automatic” than Aldridge in mid-range. There is a lot of competition for the final starting nod, but he’s earned it.