The NBA has announced its starters for the 2011 NBA All Star Game. Since, the starters are chosen by the fans, there's usually a debate on whether the fans got the choices right. From the 50 Peso Seats has its own NBA All Star Starter List and let's see if they match with the fans' choices.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Fans' Choice: Dwight Howard
FtFPS Choice: Dwight Howard
Was there ever any doubt that the jolly monster from Orlando would be the slotman? The NBA's resident dominant center (despite whatever Shaq believes), Howard is carrying the Magic yet again on his impossibly muscular shoulders. He is averaging a career-best 22 points per game to go along with over 13 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. His post moves are becoming more polished as well.
Fans' Choices: Amare Stoudemire and Lebron James
FtFPS Choice: Amare Stoudemire and Lebron James
I have always questioned both players' attitude and motivations, but this year, they have been dominant. James is playing well for the Heat, averaging 25.9 points, along with over 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal per game. Stoudemire's year is even more impressive. He is averaging a career-best 26 points per game to along with 9 rebounds and a steal, but his most impressive stat is his career-best 2.3 blocks per game. The Knicks wanted a superstar and Amare has become that for the Knicks.
Guards
FtFPS Choices: Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade
The guard choices round out a successful round of voting for the fans, as they got them right too. Rose is averaging career-bests in all major categories like points (24.6), rebounds (4.6), assists (8.1), steals (1.1), along with FT anf 3 pt percentages. It's little wonder the Bulls are looking forward to a deep playoff run and Rose is currently in the MVP short list. Wade, despite missing games, has maintained his position as the Heat's main man. His averages continue to be impressive, 21.5 points 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists and over a block and steal a game. It's impressive he can still put up numbers like these with James and Chris Bosh putting up great numbers as well.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Center
FtFPS: Tyson Chandler
I realize that the West lacks a dominant center nowadays, but Yao, who barely played this season? I think the Chinese voting Yao is their way of getting back at the Oscars for picking Gladiator over Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. My choice, is a serious one. I mean if I weren't serious, I would've named Darko Milicic (DARKO!!!!) to start. Chandler is my choice as he is the closest thing to dominant in the West. While his season numbers aren't eye-popping (9.9 points 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks), he has become the defensive anchor so valuable to the Mavericks' recent run. If we are to stick to strictly picking centers, Chandler is the one.
Forwards
Fans' Choice: Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony
FtFPS: Kevin Durant, Kevin Love
Durant as a forward is certainly a no-brainer. He remains the NBA's scoring leader at 28.6 and this year has been highlighted by several highs. He just hit his first game winner against the Knicks and he established a new career-high of 47 points just the other day against the Wolves. Anthony, though, has been up and down this season. Whether it is because of injuries or the trade speculations, 'Melo has not been his best. He's still an All Star, but maybe not a starter. Love, on the other hand, deserves to be a starter. Yes, he is on a losing team, which affects the way people view his achievements, but losing team or not, what he has done is astounding. His averages on points (21.6), rebounds (15.7, league leader), even his 3 pt percentage (41.7) and ft percentage (87.7) are all career highs. More impressively, Love did a 31 point-30 rebound game, a feat done only by Moses Malone. Now that is an All Star achievement.Guards
Fans' Choice: Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant
FtFPS Choice: Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant
I guess one can say that one can't go wrong picking Paul and Bryant, but this year, it's not the case. Paul's numbers are impressive, especially his over 9 assists and 2 steals per game, but Williams has almost matched these numbers and is scoring better at 21.9 points per game. While Paul's Hornets have the better record, I think Williams is equally important to his Jazz and he has been relatively more consistent. With Kobe, on the other hand, the choice seems obvious. While he has battled age and surgery, Kobe's numbers are almost the same as his past two years, definitely an achievement.
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