Selecting the All-NBA teams at the All-Star Break

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San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) shoots the ball as Atlanta Hawks power forward Al Horford (15) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

At first blush, the statistical profile of Tim Duncan doesn’t appear worthy of All-NBA inclusion. The future Hall of Fame power forward is averaging 14.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and while those are solid numbers, they aren’t what separate Duncan from the crowd. His defense has been incredibly impactful this season, as evidenced by top-5 marks in both defensive rating and defensive win shares, and Duncan is blocking 1.9 shots per game in only 30.0 minutes per contest. Tim Duncan is the epitome of a player who cannot be fully measured by raw statistics, and at 38 years old, he has having an elite season.

Jan 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts after almost making a basket as he was fouled in the fourth quarter of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 91-85. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are the toast of the Eastern Conference, and it shouldn’t be considered a coincidence that their latest rise in play coincided with Al Horford shaking off the rust of an injury-plagued 2013-2014 season. Horford averaged just 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in November, and the Hawks began the season with a solid but unspectacular 9-6 record. Since that point, Horford has been a menace for the opposition, upping his season-long averages to 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, but more than that, his defense has come along to lead Atlanta on both ends in what has amounted to a 34-4 stretch as a team.

Horford’s two-way play has always been underrated, but his efficiency is off the charts offensively (54.4% FG, 21.86 PER) and his ability to deter opposing pick-and-rolls greatly aids the Hawks in operating at a top-five level defensively. Many have opined that Horford is “not a traditional center”, but all he does is play the position at an elite level on a nightly basis.

Feb 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) reacts after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Sacramento Kings 104-86. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

Despite turmoil, the Chicago Bulls are in great shape with a 33-20 record to lead the Central Division, and they have gotten a huge return from their prime offseason acquisition. Many doubted the potential impact of Pau Gasol as a 34-year-old after a couple of lean years in Los Angeles, but all Gasol has done is set a new career benchmark in rebounding (12.2 per game) while putting up four-years highs in scoring (18.4 points), true shooting (55.2%) and PER (22.92).

It would be a mistake to say that Gasol is fully “back” to his standing as an unquestioned top-10 player, but he has put together a renaissance season in Chicago.

Feb 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) drives the ball down the court against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

John Wall, Washington Wizards

John Wall has been good for quite some time, but in 2014-2015, he has made the leap to elite status. The former number one overall pick is leading the NBA in assists (10.1 per game) while also averaging 17.4 points and 1.9 steals per contest, and his efficiency has progressed to the point where he is now putting together a career-best 53.9% true shooting over the body of the campaign.

Beyond statistics, Wall’s athleticism and defense are terrifying for the opposition, and he has begun to fully take advantage of his length (6-foot-4) and overall physical gifts at a position where he is almost always the most athletic player on the floor. The Wizards are a legitimate threat in the East, and their most outstanding player is one of the best six guards in the league.

Feb 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) argues a call with the referees during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

It took far too long for Damian Lillard to receive the All-Star nod that he richly deserves, and now that he has been correctly anointed, we can give him further due in this space. For my money, Lillard has been every bit as important as more respected teammate, LaMarcus Aldridge, and the former Weber State point guard is averaging 21.5 points and 6.3 assists per game while captaining the offense with the ball in his hands.

Lillard’s improvement defensively has been noticeable, which allows him to make this jump in overall play, and it certainly helps that the Blazers remain a big-time contender in the West. Lillard isn’t a traditional point guard in the sense of a pure passer or distributor, but he is more than capable of getting his teammates involved, and when you have the added dimension of elite shot creation at your disposal, it is hard to fault Damian Lillard for pulling the trigger.

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