NBA All-Star Weekend: East Reserves

With the All-Star game coming in a few weeks (unfortunately on Valentine’s day, might I add), the east and west starters has already been decided. That being said, all there’s left is the bench, which are voted by NBA coaches (so you won’t have the likes of A.I. or any other undeserving players on the team… yea that’s right… I don’t think A.I. should be on the team). Anyways, enough with my complaining… below is what I believe to be a suitable bench for the East and West. It goes two guards, two forwards, one center and two wild cards (I think this is right). My criteria for the players is not only how well they are doing, but also how their team is doing. An all-star on one-man team can stack the stats considering that he’s the only one making the double-doubles and so on every night, so I’m taking the team that he’s playing on into consideration as well.

From the East:

The Guards: Rajon Rondo (PG) and Joe Johnson (SG)

Personally, I like Derrick Rose more, but as a playmaker and solid support for the injured Celtics, I would have to give it to Rondo. Joe Johnson was picked based on stats and how well the Hawks have been doing (can’t really say much other than I can’t think of any player that can play the SG position better than him in the East… aside from D.Wade).

The Forwards: Gerald Wallace (SF) and of course, Chris Bosh (PF)

Gerald Wallace has been playing extremely well this season, making numerous highlight reels and bringing the Bobcats up the standings to a playoff contender. Chris Bosh has been solid and continuing to improve, definitely deserves to be on the team (not to mention the fact that KG is injured, I have a feeling that he might even start).

The Center: Contradicting with what I said before… Brooke Lopez.

Really? When New Jersey is 4-40? Yea, and that’s cause there isn’t any other center on the East besides Dwight Howard that’s actually good. Shaq? He’s getting old and he’s not really making an impact for the Cavs. Jermaine O’Neal? No. Bargnani? He’s gotten a lot better this year but still a long way to go. Think about it, New Jersey wins games because of him, even though it’s only 4 games. If you can find another center that deserves to be here more than him, my comment box is always open.

The Wild Cards: David Lee and Josh Smith

David Lee is a given for most people. He’s the human double-double (avg. 19.4 PPG and 11.4 RPG), and not to mention that New York is overachieving this season, in my opinion. Josh Smith is… well, I just think he’s a decent player and with the stats to put him above the rest that’s left in the East.

So there you have it, my East bench. Lemme know what you think and who would you choose instead. West coming up next.