Is there a certain number of guards that they can have? 7 reserve spots right?
Tracy, Kobe, Duncan, Yao, and Melo will probably be the fan-voted 5, unless AI/Nash make a move for Tracy or Dirk somehow mounts a comeback to pass Melo orDuncan, unlikely.
Now that leaves 7 spots for the COACHES to decide, they're not going to choose 5-6 guards, with that said, Steve Nash is a given. Not being a homer, butDirk will make the all-star game unless coaches hatin'.
, I think it's pretty safe to say that Amare will be voted in as well, and Chris Paul.There's three of the reserve spots left. Who else is deserving for those final three spots? Kaman, Camby, Marion, Boozer, Baron, and AI. Given thatNash/Paul and Dirk/Amare are probably locks (two guards and two forwards), there will probably be one more forward, one center, and one guard. With that said,Kaman/Camby getting in is a lock, and I think Boozer will get in, and that leaves Baron and AI. Roy is worth consideration, and he may get voted in, butcoaches probably seeing as he's a rookie, if he was to be voted in, it'd have to be by the fans. AI has been good this year second best scoring in theWest, but Baron has outplayed him and I think Baron will get that last playoff spot.
So, finally, I think the reserve spots will go to Nash, Paul, Baron, Dirk, Amare, Boozer, Kaman/Camby, and if Tracy gets injured, either Roy or AI.
It's rough out there, I'd love for Josh Howard to get voted in the ASG again this year, will it happen? No. Al Jefferson has played VERY well thisyear, will he get in? Unlikely. TP and Manu are both really good, but they'll probably get snubbed, just because there's so many limitations. Rudy Gayhas played well, but for a losing team. Deron Williams probably is the reason why Boozer has been doing so well, but he's a guard, and there's not asmany spots available, so he'll probably get snubbed.
And just for the hell of it, I'll post who I think will get the spots in the East.
Starters: Garnett, Dwight, LBJ, Wade, Kidd/Ray Allen.
Whoever doesn't get in between Ray/Kidd, WILL get in as reserves, so that takes up one spot. The other two guards I'd choose are Rip Hamilton and JJ. Idon't think VC deserves it this year. As for Forwards, I think it's relatively easy, Caron, Pierce, and Bosh. All three are key to their team, allthree are having great years. The last center spot is a bit iffy, give to to Sheed? Who is a good player on a great team? Give it to Big Z? Second best playeron the defending EC champs? Keep Shaq's ASG streak alive? Peresonally, I'd probably give it to Sheed, the Pistons need more representation then justRip (who SHOULD get in)
So, I think the East team will be... Starting: Garnett, Dwight, LBJ, Wade, Kidd. Reserves: Jesus Shuttlesworth, Rip, Joe Johnson, Caron, Pierce, Bosh, andSheed.
A couple guys out the East who will probably get snubbed are Michael Redd (unless the coaches choose him, it's not exactly impossible), and RichardJefferson, who's having a VERY good year, I just don't see him getting in, but I'm not a coach, so I don't know. Joe Johnson could be replacedwith either of those two guys, and I wouldn't be the bit least surprised.
