NBA All-Star Predictions

The All-Star Game isn’t until February but voting has already begun. There are plenty of deserving players in both conferences this season. One question that will be raised is; should Kobe Bryant be voted an All-Star? Kobe announced a few weeks ago that this is going to be his last season and while he isn’t have a Kobe-like season and the Lakers are heinous, fans will have the chance to send Kobe off with one final All-Star appearance. The argument is that if Kobe is voted in there will be someone who is left out from a loaded Western Conference. That’s a debate that will be hot until voting is done, but for now lets take a look at who could make up the starting lineups for the Eastern and Western Conference. 

Eastern Conference:

Point Guard: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors- Lowry isn’t the best point guard in the East but with the game being in Toronto he figures to be voted in. You can’t knock his production in recent years however, this season he’s averaging 21.6 points and 6.0 assists. He’s slowly climbing the ladder of best point guards in the NBA.

Shooting Guard: DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors- Much like his Raptors teammate, DeRozan isn’t having an “All-Star season” like some other players but again, with the game being in Toronto, it’s likely that he will be voted in by the fans. DeRozan was voted an All-Star in 2014 and thus far is averaging 21.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 2015.

Small Forward: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers- James is going to become a 12-time All-Star when the rosters are announced. James has won the All-Star MVP twice in his career and looks to add a third. James is fourth in the NBA in scoring this season averaging 26.3 points a game.

Power Forward: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers- Love is having a much bigger role than he did last season until Kyrie Irving comes back (Irving by the way could be voted an All-Star once he returns), Love isn’t putting up double double numbers like he did in Minnesota but he’s still putting up 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

Center: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons- Drummond is a beast and partly the reason why the Pistons have a chance to make the playoffs. The third year big man hasn’t been named an All-Star in his young career but this year that will change. Drummond is putting up huge numbers this year averaging 17.7 points and 16.2 rebounds per game with 23 double doubles in 27 games.

Western Conference:

Point Guard: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors- The Warriors are 25-1 and Steph Curry is leading the way with 32.0 points a game. The reigning MVP is slowly becoming one of the most popular players in the NBA and will likely lead the league in All-Star votes.

Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers- This is by far the least likely out of anyone I have on this list, but there aren’t many shooting guards in the West that would really deserve to be voted in. Kobe is averaging 16.5 points a game on a 4-win Laker team but hey, it’s Kobe Bryant.

Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs- Leonard has arguably been one of the most improved players in the NBA over the last two seasons and is one of the best defensive players the league has. He finally gets his chance to shine during All-Star weekend. Leonard leads the Spurs in scoring with 21.0 points a game.

Power Forward: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers- Griffin’s game has improved every year and he’s become one of the more versatile players in the league. The fifth year player leads the 4^th place Clippers with 23.9 points per game.

Center: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies- Gasol isn’t a “sexy” pick for an All-Star game because he’s more of an old school type of player, but he’s becoming one of the better two-way centers in the NBA. The 2-time All-Star is leading the Grizzlies in points (16.1) and blocks (1.2).

Stephen Springer, Follow him on Twitter @Stephen_Springs