SCIC Early NBA All-Star Team Predictions
By Chris Walder
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
With one month of the 2012-13 NBA regular season now officially in the books, we here at Sir Charles in Charge have enough to go on after 15-18 games for each team to make our (very early) picks for both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference all-star starters.
The 2013 NBA All-Star game will take place on February 17th at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
We reserve the right to change our picks and fill out both rosters once the actual festivities draw closer.
SCIC EDITOR CHRIS WALDER PICKS (@WalderSports)
(Eastern Conference)
Guard Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics): 12.9 points, 12.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds — Don’t let his recent two-game suspension and infamous short temper deter you. With the exception of perhaps Chris Paul out West, there isn’t a point guard in the NBA playing better basketball than Rondo.
Guard Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers): 18.2 points, 9.4 assists, 39.6% from three-point range — The leagues third ranked passer in assists has helped lead the Sixers to a 10-7 start despite the absence of one Andrew Bynum.
Forward Lebron James (Miami Heat): 25.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists — The reigning MVP of the league continues to prove to the world on a nightly basis why he is simply the best thing going in the sport today.
Forward Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks): 26.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists — New Yorks strong start (11-4) can be directly linked to the stellar play of Carmelo, who has not only continued his dominance on offense, but stepped up his defense in a huge way as well.
Forward Chris Bosh (Miami Heat): 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 56% from the field — The seldom thought of third member of Miami’s “Big Three” currently sits 8th in the league in scoring and 7th in field-goal percentage.
(Western Conference)
Guard Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers): 16.5 points, 9.6 assists, 2.8 steals — It’s a toss-up at the moment between Paul and Rondo for the leagues best point guard, in my humble opinion.
Guard Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers): 26.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists — The NBA’s current leading scorer deserves a starting spot on the all-star team. He’s 34 and playing as if he were ten years younger.
Forward Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder): 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists — With James Harden out of the picture, Durant has had to become more of a facilitator on the offensive end, averaging a career high in assists.
Forward Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies): 16.3 points, 12.6 rebounds, 49.2% from the field — The Memphis Grizzlies have the best record in the NBA at 12-3. That should be recognized on this squad.
Center Dwight Howard (Los Angeles Lakers): 18.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks — His numbers may have seen a slight decrease across the board, but “Superman” is still the most dominant low-post presence in the sport today.
SCIC WRITER JAY ROSALES (@Rosalesaurus)
(Eastern Conference)
Guard Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics): The engine that runs the Celtics, Rondo has evolved into arguably the best point guard in the league. He leads the league in assists (12.9) and fake behind-the-back passes.
Guard Jason Kidd (New York Knicks): 8.0 points, 3.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds — Did you know that Kidd leads all East guards in over 10 statistical categories? No, age is not one of them. For my entire reasoning, click here.
Forward Lebron James (Miami Heat): The reigning MVP has picked up where he left off in London – dominating the competition in various ways. Whether he’s sucking in the defense before kicking out to Ray Allen for a game-winning three (on three different occasions already), or simply taking over when his team needs (4th in scoring), the NBA leader in PER is showing why he’s the best player on the planet.
Forward Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks): The East’s leader in plus/minus (143) and scoring (26.1), Anthony has embraced his new role as Power Forward and led the Knicks to the top of the league in offensive rating (112.7) and 3-pointers made (almost 12 per game).
Center Anderson Varejao (Cleveland Cavaliers): 14.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists — The new anti-flopping rule seems to have set the King of Flops straight. Varejao leads the NBA in rebounds per game (15.1), offensive rebounding % (18.2), total rebounding % (25.3), and ranks 3rd in the East in PER (24.3).
(Western Conference)
Guard Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers): CP3 has been simply amazing for the Clippers thus far in the season. He leads all West guards (or ranks second) in PER, win shares, assists per game, steals per game, and offensive rating.
Guard Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers): Having to integrate two new superstars, as well as switching coaches over the first month, Kobe has managed to put up some outstanding numbers. He leads the league in scoring (26.9), while also putting up career highs in FG% (49.3), 3pt FG% (40.5), and FT% (87.5).
Forward Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder): Durant leads the NBA or all West Forwards/Centers in a multitude of categories: points, points per game, PER, win shares (offensive and defensive). He’s clicking on all cylinders and looking to dethrone a king as MVP.
Forward Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs): 18.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks — Duncan is playing so well, the league fines the Spurs for not playing him! He leads the NBA in defensive rating (94.5), and ranks second among West Forwards/Centers in PER (27.3) and Win Shares per 48 minutes (.256), behind my next starter.
Center Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies): 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks — The Grizzlies have the best record in the NBA (12-2), thanks in large part to the younger Gasol. He ranks first among West Forwards/Centers in offensive rating (127.9), and second to Durant in offensive win shares (1.9).
(Eastern Conference)
Guard Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics): He has been playing the best basketball of his career an has proven himself to be in the elite point guard class in the NBA.
Guard Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets): 15.7 points, 8.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds — It’s no surprise that his numbers are down with Brooklyn’s huge influx of talent, but the Nets are still balling with Deron as their unquestionable floor leader.
Forward Lebron James (Miami Heat): Is there even a question? The Heat have the best record in the East and he’s playing as well as ever.
Forward Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks): The Knicks started the season with the best record in the NBA. He has turned into a complete player this season on both sides of the court.
Center Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks): 15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks –Hasn’t shown any signs of being hurt after coming off an injury-filled 2011 season. The Hawks are winning while he leads the team in both points and rebounds.
(Western Conference)
Guard Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers): Solid numbers for the superstar this season. Second in the league only to Rondo in assists.
Guard Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers): Despite the Lakers struggles, Kobe Bryant has kept up his production. He leads the league in scoring while shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Forward Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder): The Thunder are balling! They already have a five game lead in the Northwest division. The numbers don’t lie; The “Durantula” is going to work.
Forward Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers): 16.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 0.7 blocks — The NBA’s walking highlight-reel is back at it again.
Center Dwight Howard (Los Angeles Lakers): The Lakers may get two all star starters for Christmas this year. Despite a troubling start to the season, Howard remains the best center in the Western Conference.
Christopher Walder is the Lead Editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You can follow him on Twitter @WALDERSPORTS