2012-13 All Star Weekend: Starting Squads Announced
Are you excited for the coming All-Star Weekend at Houston this year?
The starting lineups have finally been announced.
Eastern Conference
Front court:
Back court:
- Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)
- Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
Western Conference
Front court:
- Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Dwight Howard (Los Angeles Lakers)
Back court:
- Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
The All-Star lineup this year does not differentiate between forwards and centers, hence the term “front court” is used to denote players from the 3 to 5 spots.
King James led the pack with 1,583,646 votes, with Melo trailing at 1,460,950 votes.
For the guards, Wade had the top votes for the East with 1,052,310, Rondo had 924,180 and Garnett with 553,222. Bosh was close to the fight, but finally lost by 25,208 votes.
Will we expect any talk of “Honey Nut Cheerios” between teammates Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony, following the recent fracas on and off the court?
One would expect the two of them to move on by now, but you never know.
The Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant trumped the West votes with 1,591,437.
It was a close fight on the final guard spot, but Chris Paul edged out Rockets guard Jeremy Lin by 45,346 votes, winning with 929,155. Kevin Durant had 1,504,047, Howard received 922,070 and Griffin got 553,222 to round out the front court.
The seven reserve roster spots will be decided by voting among the league coaches and announced on 24 January.
The reserves will include two front court players, three back court players and two undefined spots (which can be filled by players of any position), so look out for your favourite players like Jeremy Lin and Kyrie Irving to possibly make it to Houston after all.
With Wade and Kobe facing each other once more, will we be witnesses to a Wade-style nosebreaker this time?
What do you think of this season’s All-Star lineup?
Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
Photo Credit: Adidas and NBA.com
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KG very lucky to be selected, Paul George or even David West having much better seasons, hell even Bosh…
I’m glad KG is getting a hat tip this time, pretty sure he won because it’s probably his final (or close to it) All-Star appearance. Granted the All-Star selection is a popularity contest but really, lucky?
We’ll have to agree to disagree there.
Here’s a look at the stats this season:
22 year old Paul George logs 36.4 minutes per game, makes 6.3 of 15.0 FG per game, 16.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.7 APG while shooting 42% on FG, 80.4% on FT.
28 year old Bosh logs 33.4 minutes per game, makes 6.7 of 12.4 FG per game, 17.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.8 APG while shooting 54.5% on FG, 83.8% on FT.
32 year old West logs 33.4 minutes per game, makes 6.8 of 14.3 FG per game, 16.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.7 APG while shooting 47.3% on FG, 73.1% on FT.
36 year old KG plays 29.5 minutes per game, makes 6.1 of 12 FG per game, 14.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.1 APG while shooting 51.1% on FG, 79.3% on FT.
If we take it to a per 36 minute level, it gives a better picture:
1. KG would be 17.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.6 APG
2. West would be 17.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.9 APG
3. Bosh would be 18.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 APG
4. George would be 16.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.6 APG
Paul George is most definitely having a breakout season, and West is doing well. KG however deserves the nod based on his age, minutes and scoring efficiency. Let’s not get started on his defensive impact