NBA All-Star 2015: Western Conference Roster Predictions
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
This time I am giving my predictions for the Western Conference All-Star roster. If you'd like to read which players I predicted would make the East roster click here.
Starters:
G: Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
After the 2nd returns, Steph Curry was the leading vote getter among guards by a large margin. Curry has been having a MVP-type season and is one of the most explosive and fun to watch players in the NBA and deserves a starting spot. Curry so far this year is averaging 23 points and 8 assists per game.
G: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Kobe being one of the most iconic players in the game today, is no surprise to be the 2nd highest vote getter among guards. Doesn't exactly deserve to be here due to his teams 12-31 record, but this is a fan vote and Bryant is an electric player, so he should be an all-star, but Harden should be the starter. Bryant is averaging 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game for the Lakers this season. Unfortunately, Bryant may end up missing this year's game because of a torn rotator cuff. If his season is indeed over, Harden will likely step in the starting spot.
F: Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
Anthony Davis this season has further progressed into being the best young big man in the game today. If his team had a better record he'd be farther up in the MVP conversation, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Davis was the top vote getter among forwards and deserves to be a starter this year.
F: Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
The new human highlight reel seems like a lock to be a starter this year. While putting up 23 points and 8 rebounds per game this year he's improved much of his game including his mid-range jump shot and post game. Also helps that he's a threat to put someone on a poster every time he touches the ball.
F: Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
I was surprised that Gasol was one of the leaders in front court votes after the 2nd returns, but I'm certainly not mad about it. The Grizzlies are one of the great teams in the NBA and Gasol is their best player. One of the best post scorers in the league and probably the best passing big man in the league. Gasol deserves to be an All-Star, I'm just surprised he's gotten the votes to be a starter.
Bench:
Reserve Guard 1: James Harden (Houston Rockets)
James Harden should be the starter over Kobe Bryant this year. He's putting the Rockets on his back and his having a MVP caliber season. Averaging 27 points, 6 boards, and 5 rebounds per game he's the reason why the Rockets have been one of the better teams in the league. With Kobe's new injury, Harden moves into the starting spot, and Warriors guard Klay Thompson takes this spot.
Reserve Guard 2: Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)
Damian Lillard is becoming the new Mr. Big Shot (sorry Chauncey). Last year the Blazers surprised the West and went to the playoffs and the 5 seed and they haven't slowed down a bit this season. Lillard has averaged 22 points and 6 assists per game and he's one of the reasons that the Blazers are just as good if not better than last year.
Reserve Forward 1: Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Sure KD missed a bunch of the season due to injury, but he's still averaging 26 points per game and he's one of the best players in the NBA. No chance he misses the All-Star game this year.
Reserve Forward 2: DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
The Kings aren't a playoff team with their record of 16-26, but that's not because of Cousins. Cousins always had the potential to be one of the best centers in the NBA if he got his head straight, and it seems like he has. Putting up huge numbers (25ppg, 12rpg), and if it wasn't for him, the Kings would be more irrelevant than they already are. He deserves to make his first All-Star appearance this year.
Reserve Forward 3: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers)
Along with Lillard, Aldridge is a key cog in the Blazers machine. To many's surprise, Aldridge is putting up better numbers this year than his teammate Lillard, and is continuing his dominance of the lost art called the mid-range jumper. Sadly he might not make it due to his hand injury, but he should be named an All-Star by the coaches.
Reserve Wild Card 1: Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
I think it's a no brainer this year that Thompson will be an All-Star this year. The 2nd half of the leagues best backcourt is one of those guys that when he takes a shot, you think it's going in. Can get hot at anytime and as part of the Splash Bros, deserves to be an All-Star and is perfect for this type of game. With Thompson likely moving into the reserve spot that Harden had due to Kobe's injury, I expect Russell Westbrook to take this wild card spot.
Reserve Wild Card 2: Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
Hard to imagine Chris Paul might not make the All-Star game this year, but he might due to the insane amount of top class guards in the NBA, but I still think Paul will make it. He's close to averaging a double double, is on a top team, and still considered a top 3 point guard.
Coach: Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors)
Coach Kerr locked up this job by having the best record in the Western Conference when voting ended. Kerr has done a fantastic job this season after replacing the well liked (by players) Mark Jackson. His team has an explosive offense along with a top notch defense. He's also up there in the Coach of the Year running with Mike Budenholzer of Atlanta.
