The NBA All-Star Game is fast approaching. We’ve taken a look at our early selections for starters for the NBA’s Western Conference for the All-Star Game. Now, we evaluate the NBA players who deserve to start in the All-Star game for the Eastern Conference.
Remember, since this is not based on a fan vote, we select a starter for each position, meaning some very good players get snubbed.
Suite101's NBA Eastern Conference Starters
PG – Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards – Gilbert Arenas gets the nod over several other excellent players for Arenas' superior all-around play. Arenas is scoring nearly 31 points per game and handing out better than 6 assists. Plus, he has a 60-point game to his credit and he shoots it much better than most other point guards.
SG – Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics – The lone bright spot on an awful Celtics team, Paul Pierce has expanded his game and is truly deserving of an NBA All-Star Game start, over other great candidates like Dwayne Wade, Michael Redd and Joe Johnson. In addition to his 26.6 points per game, Pierce is grabbing a stellar 7.4 rebounds – a huge number for a guard. Pierce is also shooting 41% from 3-point range, pretty nice for a player who has taken nearly 150 shots from behind the arc.
SF –LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers – The Chosen One’s stats are down from a year ago, but down for LeBron James is still 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.5 steals per night. LeBron James is the obvious NBA All-Star Game Eastern Conference starter at small forward; end of argument.
PF – Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards – Hard to believe the Wizards should have two NBA All-Star Game starters, but Antawn Jamison deserves the nod, even though he’s overshadowed by teammate Gilbert Arenas. Jamison is small for a power forward at 6-9, 235, but he still gets 8.3 rebounds per game, to go along with 19.5 points. Jamison is also a deadly shooter for a power forward, averaging 40% from 3-point range.
C – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic – Aside from LeBron James, Dwight Howard is probably the biggest no-brainer selection to the Eastern Conference NBA All-Star Game starting squad. Howard, AKA the Manchild, has been scary good this year, just his third in the league, straight from high school. Howard is 17 points, a league-leading 12.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks every night. Plus, he’s turned his Orlando Magic into a contending team.
