All-Star Predictions

Let's take a break from talking about the Raptors (mainly because talking about the team week by week has taken me from emotional highs to emotional lows - mostly emotional lows) and focus on something that's always hyped up yet very seldom delivers: The All-Star Game!

The all-stars won't be announced until Thursday night on TNT, but I'm going to spoil my one or two readers and provide a list of the players who should be all-stars starters - you know, if the league didn't leave voting for starters up to fans, making the All-Star Game nothing more than a popularity contest.

"But aren't you just a fan, Matt? What gives you the credibility to name who the starters should be?" is what you're saying.

My answer: nothing. Let's get started!

East All-Stars Starters

C - Chris Bosh
Bosh will start only because there are no other quality centers in the East with the exception of Tyson Chandler. I expect Chandler to be selected to the East reserves.

PF - Carmelo Anthony
Anthony, averaging 29.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg, deserves this starting spot. He has been the offensive center piece for a Knicks squad that sits only half a game back for best record in the East. Even if it is the East, that's still an impressive accomplishment for a team that hasn't done anything meaningful in the playoffs since the 1999-2000 season, where they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

SF - Lebron James
Best player in the world. I think that's enough.

SG - Dwyane Wade
In the meager East, Wade is the best shooting guard. His only competition? Joe Johnson. Exactly. 

PG - Kyrie Irving
Irving is playing out of his mind so far this season. Unfortunately, there's no way the fans will vote him in ahead of Rondo.

West All-Star Starters

C - Marc Gasol
It's either Marc Gasol or Tim Duncan who's going to win the starting position. Duncan is a more recognizable name but Gasol is playing better. Timmy-D is almost 40 years old and his decline has been blatant. He's still a solid center but it's time to give it up to someone else.

PF - Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin is a freak of nature and legitimately terrifies me with some of his dunks. Most of my picks are based on merit or a dearth of talent (thanks Eastern conference). This pick is based solely on the spectacle that is Blake Griffin. He needs to be a starter just so he can dunk on the other nine players on the court and run back with a look on his face that says, "Yeah, I don't give a shit."

SF - Kevin Durant
The second best player in the world. I think that's enough.

SG - James Harden
Harden has shown he can consistently be the go-to option on a team, slashing and getting to the rim on what seems like every offensive possession. He won't win the starting position though. The ageless wonder, Kobe Bryant, will start.

PG - Chris Paul
Paul has lead the Clippers to the second best record in the NBA this season. His numbers are nearly the same as last year, with the exception of a slight dip in scoring. Paul usually doesn't have to score for the Clippers to win but will if he has to. His game against the Lakers earlier this year is enough evidence to warrant this selection.

Like most All-Star Games, this year's will probably be underwhelming. Combine that with the over-hyped dunk contest and it should amount to a disappointing weekend. Having said that, I can't wait!