The first half of the season is drawing to a close and it has been one full of break-out stars (such as Dwight Howard and Rudy Gay), surprise teams (most notably New Orleans and Portland) and severe disappointments (Chicago and Miami).  Regardless the NBA is deeper than ever with star ability.  A couple of years back NBA rosters were expanded to fifteen players.  Is it time to make the same change to the All-Star rosters?  Yes, of course it is.  Here are my nominees for the 2007-08 NBA All-Star game.

Eastern Conference All-Stars

POINT GUARD
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons (29-11)
Once again, Chauncey’s point guard play has helped his Pistons to the second best record in the league including a 10-3 mark against the Western Conference when he is in the lineup (0-2 without him).  He is one of the games’ best leader of men.  He takes care of the ball as well as anyone not named Calderon and he is the top defender at his position.  He also has a complete offensive arsenal. With the ability to post up any guard in the league, knock down the mid-range jumper, drop in the running floater and hit the deep trey, there’s no shot he cannot make.  There is no question in my mind that he is the best player on the Pistons’ and deserving of his first start in an All-Star game (and his five year, $60 million contract he inked last summer).

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	TO	AST	PTS
.450	.398	.901	2.9	1.30	2.03	7.2	17.4

Honorable Mention

Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors (22-18)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	TO	AST	PTS
.513	.432	.909	3.2	1.00	1.46	8.4	11.9

Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets (18-20)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	TO	AST	PTS
..363	.327	.824	8.6	1.68	3.73	10.7	11.5

SHOOTING GUARD
Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks (16-23)
The shooting guard position in the East is the weakest spot of all for this year’s All-Star contest.  However, if I had to choose one, it would be Redd.  Although his scoring is down (thanks to the health of his supporting cast) his assists and rebounds are much higher than we are used to.  The former Buckeye continues to be one of the best shooters in the league and doesn’t mind flying under the radar in Milwaukee.  His impressive stint with USA Basketball this past summer proves he belongs in this game.  Paul Pierce is just as worthy but he is not listed on the ballot as a guard.  Dwyane Wade, who will certainly be voted in, is simply not 100% and is leading the league in turnovers per game by a ridiculous margin while playing for the worst team in the league.

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	TO	AST	PTS
.441	.370	.861	4.7	1.03	2.54	3.6	22.8

Honorable Mention

Ray Allen, Boston Celtics (32-6)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	TO	AST	PTS
.419	.368	.919	3.9	.94	1.65	3.0	18.1

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat (8-31)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	TO	AST	PTS
.470	.158	.738	4.1	1.97	4.59	6.8	24.1

SMALL FORWARD
Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (21-18)
The King continues to live up to the hype.  His 4th quarter play, entertainment value and dominance in close games have rarely been witnessed.  Sure this was an easy pick, but Caron Butler may be the second best player in the East up to this point.  The Wizards can rest easy knowing that with Gilbert likely leaving via free agency, Butler can shoulder the load as Eddie Jordan’s go-to guy.

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.483	.296	.698	7.8	1.97	1.12	3.32	7.5	29.7

Honorable Mention

Caron Butler, Washington Wizards (20-17)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.484	.359	.905	7.0	2.28	.36	2.58	4.4	21.7

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (32-6)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.439	.368	.813	5.8	1.46	.43	3.00	4.9	20.6

 

POWER FORWARD
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (32-6)
No surprise here.  KG remains the best captain in the NBA despite leading a new army.  His consistent tenacity and desire for a championship is unparalleled.  Not only has he saved basketball in the city of Boston, but also the jobs of Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, and the entire Eastern Conference’s credibility.  On a list full of guys who embody unselfishness and dependability, Garnett stands out.

FG %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.550	.796	9.8	1.46	1.46	2.11	3.6	19.5

Honorable Mention

Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks (18-19)

FG %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.434	.714	7.9	1.82	3.32	3.32	3.3	18.1

Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards (20-17)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.434	.347	.758	10.8	.92	.49	1.38	1.5	21.2

 

CENTER
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (24-17)
No player has seen a more dramatic improvement in one year than this 22 year-old transformer.  Howard abuses his opposition like a true capitalist.  He leads the league, by a large margin, in double-doubles.  I haven’t seen a player combine power and athleticism like D-Ho since Shaquille O’Neal’s days in Orlando.  Get this:  the last player to average at least twenty points, fifteen rebounds and two blocks was Kareem Abdul Jabbar in his 1975-76 season – arguably his best year ever.  Howard’s doing it at 22.

FG %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.595	.604	15.2	1.10	2.51	3.34	1.5	22.4

Honorable Mention

Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors (22-18)

FG %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.471	.850	9.3	.91	1.18	2.15	2.2	21.7

Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons (29-11)

FG %	3P %	FT %	REB	STL	BLK	TO	AST	PTS
.428	.359	.803	7.2	1.30	1.46	124	1.9	12.7

Click to Continue onto Page 2 (Western Conference Picks)

Photos Courtesy of espn.com