2013 NBA All-Star Game Rosters

Since we have already taken a look at the Sprite Slam Dunk and Foot Locker 3 Point contests it's time to talk about the All-Start game itself. The Eastern Conferene has six first-time selections and Luol Deng making his second. The starters are not much of a surprise: Lebron, D-Wade, KG, Melo, and Rondo (None are a surprise, the reason I called them by nickname). The Western Conference starters misewell be renamed "Team LA" as Kevin Durant is the only starter who does not play for a Los Angeles team. James Harden is a first time selection while LaMarcus Aldridge, David Lee, and Zach Randolph all are making their second appearances. In this piece I am going to list the starters and reserves for each conference and simply give my observations about each roster.

Eastern Conference

Starters
G - Rajon Rondo (BOS)* 4th selection
G - Dwyane Wade (MIA) 9th selection
F - LeBron James (MIA) 9th selection
F - Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 6th selection
F - Kevin Garnett (BOS) 15th selection
Reserves
G - Kyrie Irving (CLE) 1st selection
G - Jrue Holiday (PHI) 1st selection
F - Chris Bosh (MIA) 8th selection
F - Luol Deng (CHI) 2nd selection
F - Paul George (IND) 1st selection
C - Tyson Chandler (NYK) 1st selection
C - Joakim Noah (CHI) 1st selection
C - Brook Lopez (BRK)* 1st selection
     *Brook Lopez replaces an injured Rajon Rondo
Coach - Erik Spoelstra (MIA)
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Western Conference

Starters
G - Chris Paul (LAC) 6th selection
G - Kobe Bryant (LAL) 15th selection
F - Kevin Durant (OKC) 4th selection
F - Blake Griffin (LAC) 3rd selection
F - Dwight Howard (LAL) 7th selection
Reserves
G - James Harden (HOU) 1st selection
G - Tony Parker (SAS) 5th selection
G - Russell Westbrook (OKC) 3rd selection
F - LaMarcus Aldridge (POR) 2nd selection
F - Tim Duncan (SAS) 14th selection
F - Zach Randolph (MEM) 2nd selection
F - David Lee (GS) 2nd selection
Coach - Greg Popovich (SAS)

Observations
The Western Conference is the better conference as in the quality of the teams, but in All-Star rosters its an even fight that slightly favors the East.
- I like the East's starting 5 over the West's becasue LeBron, D-Wade, and Melo makeup a trio of elite 1-on-1 players. Durant is arguably the best 1-on-1 player in the league and Kobe is still top 10, maybe even top 5, but three is better than two.
- The West's reserve front court is uncomparable, consisting of Aldridge, Lee, Randolph, and Duncan
- The youth movement is obvious in the Eastern Conference with six 1st time selections and Luol Deng making his 2nd appearance.
- KG and Melo are teammates for one night! This provides us with a fantasy come true, as roughly a month after Melo waited for KG outside in the Madison Square Garden bus terminal to "talk" about some in-game trash talk we now get to see these two on the same bench let alone sharing the same frontcourt.
- Kobe and KG both are making their 15th appearance, sharing the most among any of the all-stars in this year's game. Tim Duncan will be playing in his 14th all-star game
- Miami has the most selection among any team with three all-stars, two starters
- LA has a total of four selections, two for the Clippers and two for the Lakers, all four are starters
All in all the All-Star game is ment to be a fun, fan-loving spectacle where we get to see the game's biggest names and talents perform and do crazy things. Defense is not wanted or needed in this game so expect high-flying dunks, alley-opps, and many other things that make our jaw drop every year. Even though this is just a big pick-up game, its a way to say thanks to all loyal NBA fans by putting on a high scoring and a high-flying show!

*** I do not own or have the rights to any photos used in this post. No copyright infringement is intended. All rights belong to the respective photographers and NBA.com***