With the recent news of Russell Westbrook‘s third knee surgery within a year, which will sideline the former Bruin until after the All-Star break, an opening in the selection for backcourt reserves for the West in the 2014 All-Star Game has surfaced. It was pretty much safe to say that Westbrook was on his way to his fourth consecutive reserve selection prior to his latest injury.
Another spot in the Western backcourt may open up if Kobe Bryant, who leads the West backcourt in fan voting by far, decides to sit out of All-Star weekend, even though his return from a fractured knee is slated before All-Star festivities kick off in New Orleans. However, we will assume The Mamba will play in his 16th ASG for this article’s purpose. We will also assume Chris Paul will lock up the starting nod from the fans for the other backcourt position.
Since point guards dominate the league more than ever, especially in the stacked Western Conference, an entire All-Star team could be comprised strictly of deserving point guards. As interesting as that would be, doing so would violate All-Star rules. So, let’s talk about the top five point guards who are contenders for one of the reserve roles for the Western Conference in the 2014 All-Star Game.
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5. JRUE HOLIDAY
Jrue Holiday swooped in for an All-Star spot last year to represent Philadelphia with the injuries to Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo. This year, injuries to Westbrook and Bryant may allot him the same opportunity, but this time in the West with the Pelicans. After all, the All-Star festivities are in New Orleans and the local fans would appreciate their young and deserving point guard making the cut.
Holiday has found a home in New Orleans, as his role is expanding at a rapid pace. His impact to the team is becoming more and more profound, as his individual contribution (15.4 PPG, 8.2 APG), his value as a point guard, and his two-man game with Anthony Davis gets stronger. His recent 31-point, 13-assist game against Portland turned NBA fans’ heads, which should also bring attention to the consistently solid performance he is putting together for the Pelicans.
4. TONY PARKER
Once again, the San Antonio Spurs are among the best of the best not only in the West, but in the entire league as well. Since the Spurs are running in high gear, it will be difficult to imagine the Western Conference All-Star coaches overlooking arguably San Antonio’s best player, Tony Parker, when making reserves selections.
Parker continues to be the figurative glue for the ever-consistent Spurs, and additionally continues to post dependent numbers of 17.8 PPG and 6.1 APG on 49.9 percent shooting. It has become a staple in the NBA that Parker ranks among the best point guards in the league, and this season is no different. Parker is ol’ reliable on the ol’ reliable Spurs, and in all probability headed to his sixth All-Star Game in New Orleans.
3. ERIC BLEDSOE
The Phoenix Suns continue to be the biggest surprise in the NBA this season. Going into the regular season, the Suns were expected to be among several teams to tank for a high lottery pick in this year’s Draft. Flash forward to the New Year, and the Suns can dismiss any notion of tanking, as they are in clear playoff position and are creeping up on the Clippers for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The risky decision to pair up Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic in the backcourt has paid off beautifully thus far, as the backcourt tandem is the engine that drives the Suns these days.
The Suns have proved that they aren’t a team to be ignored, and Bledsoe has done the same individually. Prior to the three-team trade that sent him to the Valley of the Sun, Bledsoe had been playing the role of Chris Paul’s backup in Los Angeles. While impressing everyone with his competitiveness, quickness and athleticism in limited minutes as a reserve, Bledsoe needed the chance in a starting position to truly shine and prove his true value to the game. That is exactly what he has done in his time in Phoenix, as the 24-year-old has put together an All-Star-worthy season so far, averaging 18.0 PPG, 5.8 APG and 4.3 RPG on 48.6 percent field goal shooting.
2. DAMIAN LILLARD
The reigning Rookie of the Year is proving to be a legitimate star in the NBA. The Blazers have certainly found their point man for the future in drafting Dame in 2012. Despite an MVP-caliber performance from LaMarcus Aldridge, who should additionally represent Portland as an All-Star reserve in the West’s frontcourt, the Blazers would not be in the position they currently are in the standings without the outstanding play of Lillard this season.
Lillard is posting 21.4 PPG and 6.0 APG on 42.4 percent shooting from the field and a sizzling 45.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc. On top of that, the 23-year-old has flexed his clutch gene arguably more than any other player in the league today, let alone the West this season. Dame is responsible for multiple clutch shots, including back-to-back buzzer-beaters to win a game earlier this season. While some are still hesitant to completely buy into the Blazers as legitimate contenders, watching Lillard’s performance so far can sway those nonbelievers, and he is deserving of serious All-Star consideration.
1. STEPHEN CURRY
Within the span of one year, Stephen Curry has gone from All-Star snub to a favorite to be named to the Western All-Star team. Curry has quickly grown into one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA, and should be a lock for a reserve spot. One of the best and most prolific pure shooters in the game today, Curry and his explosive shooting can ignite at any time, and never puts the Warriors out of a game.
Steph Curry is putting up 23.4 PPG, 9.6 APG and 4.6 RPG on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and an impressive 41.6 percent from downtown. In December, the 25-year-old averaged a blazing 24.4 PPG and 10.3 APG as the Warriors went 11-5 in the last month of 2013. He could be in contention for a staring nod if Kobe Bryant does decide to sit out of the ASG and if the commissioner sees it that way, although James Harden has a case as well if Kobe sits. Curry is lightning in a bottle, and his entertaining and thrilling game and skill-set is a must-see in New Orleans in February.
Who do you think will make the West team?
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