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Will
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The All Star Weekend is upon us again, let's take a closer look at the potential All Star roster for the Western Conference. This article will be breaking down each position, looking at the contenders and narrowing it down to my predicted 10 man roster (not my personal choices), feel free to agree/disagree/give your own predictions in the comments below.
Center:
The Contenders:
Derrick Favors C 34 36.9 22.0 11.7 2.0 1.5 1.4 2.5 .430 .708 .000
Marvin Bagley C 38 32.7 21.6 10.4 2.3 0.9 1.0 2.0 .415 .665 .294
Jarrett Allen C 37 35.4 12.9 12.5 3.2 0.9 2.6 2.3 .393 .637 .000
Myles Turner C 34 32.7 14.1 10.6 2.1 0.8 2.6 1.9 .405 .684 .214
Joel Embiid C 43 33.4 18.5 12.1 2.7 0.9 2.1 4.2 .426 .672 .237
Being traded to the Houston Rockets from the Washington Wizards hasn't slowed down Derrick Favors production as he is averaging 22PPG, 11.7RPG for the season which makes he a standout candidate. Despite the San Antonio Spurs sitting with a 13-25 record at the All Star break it is hard to look past the numbers rookie sensation Marvin Bagley is putting up, 21.6PPG, 10.4RPG. Joel Embiid of the Thunder is another guy who is putting up some impressive numbers on a losing team, 18.5PPG, 12.1RPG, 2.1BPG although he is leading the league in turnovers. Jarrett Allen (Memphis Grizzlies) 12.9PPG, 12.5RPG, 2.6BPG and Myles Turner (Los Angeles Lakers) 14.1PPG, 10.6RPG, 2.6BPG probably won't make the team but definitely deserve a mention. Probably the deepest position in the Western Conference, all five of these guys can make a case to be part of the All Star team.
Power Forward:
The Contenders:
Paul Millsap PF 39 31.7 19.9 8.5 2.4 1.0 0.6 1.3 .466 .735 .409
John Collins PF 42 33.2 17.7 11.2 2.8 0.8 1.8 2.2 .459 .728 .393
Nikola Jokic PF 39 34.8 14.4 12.5 2.8 1.1 1.1 2.2 .419 .746 .471
LaMarcus Aldridge PF 47 33.9 26.4 9.8 2.5 1.1 0.7 2.0 .494 .740 .000
Two old guard and two up and comers feature as our contenders for the Power Forward slot. At 33 Paul Millsap is having another great season averaging 19.9PPG, 8.5RPG for the Utah Jazz. Portland Trailblazers sit just outside of the playoff spots largely down to the play of their franchise guy LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging 26.4PPG and 9.8RPG, I would be very surprised if Aldridge isn't the starting PF for the Western Conference squad. Second year PF John Collins (Los Angeles Clippers) has made a big leap from his rookie year, averaging an impressive 17.7PPG, 11.2RPG could very well see himself playing in both the Rookie/Soph game and the All Star Game. Nikola Jokic who was traded mid-season from the Miami Heat to the Los Angeles Lakers is having a solid year averaging 14.4PPG, 12.5RPG, deserves a mention also.
Small Forward:
The Contenders:
Wilson Chandler SF 34 34.4 22.1 6.5 2.5 1.0 0.6 1.5 .451 .783 .405
Carmelo Anthony SF 42 30.7 18.0 5.8 1.8 0.9 0.1 1.7 .455 .857 .362
Andre Iguodala SF 47 35.7 13.5 6.2 8.0 1.4 0.2 2.5 .418 .687 .308
Josh Smith SF 41 36.4 15.0 9.8 3.4 1.4 0.7 2.1 .477 .618 .386
Wilson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks leads all Small Forwards in scoring in the Western Conference averaging 22.1PPG, 6.5RPG 2.5APG which should be enough to claim the starting spot. Gets a little tricky to predict after that though with three guys pushing for the second spot. Carmelo Anthony of the red hot Minnesota Timberwolves is averaging 18PPG, 5.8RPG and while the Timberwolves deserve to have a participate he might lose that spot to Andre Iguodala (Portand Traiblazers). Iguodala is averaging 13.5PPG, 6.2RPG, 8APG, 1.4SPG and those all round numbers might just give him the edge over Carmelo Anthony. Josh Smith (Sacramento Kings) 15PPg, 9.8RPG, 3.4APG deserves a mention but can't really see him making it over Anthony or Iguodala.
Shooting Guard:
The Contenders:
Eric Gordon SG 38 36.1 27.9 3.7 5.5 1.8 0.2 3.4 .464 .869 .356
DeMar DeRozan SG 38 37.8 24.0 3.8 6.3 1.9 0.1 2.7 .477 .855 .415
Tyreke Evans SG 37 39.0 26.1 5.2 4.2 2.0 0.2 3.5 .442 .832 .393
This is the toughest position to call, all three of these shooting guards deserve to make it but there will only be space for two. Eric Gordon (Phoenix Suns) 27.9PPG, 3.7RPG, 5.5APG, 1.8SPG, DeMar DeRozan (Houston Rockets) 24PPG, 3.8RPG, 6.3APG, 1.9SPG and lastly Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings) 26.1PPG, 5.2RPG, 4.2APG, 2SPG. It's a crab shoot who makes it and who doesn't.
Point Guard:
The Contenders:
Chris Paul PG 34 37.8 23.7 4.7 9.4 1.9 0.2 2.4 .513 .818 .476
John Wall PG 33 39.6 24.8 4.4 9.6 2.7 0.2 2.7 .473 .855 .366
Lou Williams PG 41 39.0 22.0 3.0 6.3 1.3 0.2 1.3 .421 .740 .373
Jeremy Lin PG 34 38.1 19.6 4.4 8.6 2.8 0.3 3.2 .465 .783 .384
The strongest position last year is arguably the weakest this year in the Western Conference, which isn't helped by Chris Paul's injury which will most likely keep him out of the all star game which opens up a spot for either Lou Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves) or Jeremy Lin (Utah Jazz). John Wall (Sacramento Kings) who is averaging 24.8PPG, 9.6APG, 2.7SPG will be the starter so with Chris Paul nursing a Groin Pull leaves one spot open. Lou Williams 22PPG, 6.3APG is having a great season for the Timberwolves but despite Jeremy Lin playing for 16-23 Utah Jazz team his all round numbers 19.6PPG, 4.4RPG, 8.6APG, 2.8SPG we may see Lin giving the nod ahead of Lou Williams.
Predicted Roster:
Center (Starter)- Derrick Favors (Houston Rockets)
Center (Backup)- Marvin Bagley (San Antonio Spurs)
Power Forward (Starter)- LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers)
Power Forward (Backup)- John Collins (Los Angeles Clippers)
Small Forward (Starter)- Wilson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks)
Small Forward (Backup)- Andre Iguodala (Portland Trailblazers)
Shooting Guard (Starter)- Eric Gordon (Phoenix Suns)
Shooting Guard (Backup)- Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings)
Point Guard (Starter)- John Wall (Sacramento Kings)
Point Guard (Backup)- Jeremy Lin (Utah Jazz)
