2010 NBA All-Star Game: Can Kobe lead the West to victory in Los Angeles?

Western Conference Starters

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (16.4 ppg, 9.7 apg and 2.7 spg)

At the beginning of the NBA regular season, the New Orleans Hornets surprised everyone as the quickly turned into the best team in the Western Conference.

Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to keep up with the best of the best in the West like the Spurs, Mavs and Lakers, but Chris Paul is having another great season as the team’s floor general. If CP3 can keep it up, the Hornets will be playoff bound and might be the dark horse in the West.

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Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (25.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

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The two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers may have hit a rough patch as of late with three straight losses coming into the All-Star break, but Kobe Bryant is having another solid season as the team’s leading scorer.

Whether or not the Black Mamba can turn this team around in the second half of the season remains to be seen, but with Kobe healthy and on the floor every night, this team has a chance to pull off the three-peat.

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (24.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg)

Trade rumors galore! Not since Kobe Bryant a few years back has such an elite player in the league been surrounded with more speculation and trade talks.

At this point time, Melo seems to be headed elsewhere, but destination unknown. Despite all the distractions, the Nuggets leading scorer has had another solid season.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (28.9 ppg, 7 rpg)

Last season Kevin Durant became the youngest player ever to win the NBA scoring title, but he wasn’t done there as he look like he will have a repeat performance this season and might be able to lead the Thunder deeper into the playoffs.

Yao Ming, Houston Rockets (out for the season)

When he is healthy, Yao Ming is arguably the best center in the league or at least the Western Conference, but the injury bug has struck him again as the Chinese import will most likely be forced to retire after suffering another foot injury.

Tim Duncan is set to take his place in the starting lineup.

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West Reserves

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs– The San Antonio Spurs are back to form once again as they are arguably the team to beat in the NBA with the league’s best record headed into the All-Star break.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves- As arguably one of the most promising young players in the league today, Kevin Love has quickly turned into a force to be reckoned with in the paint this season.

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Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs- Tim Duncan usually gets the credit for being the best player on the Spurs, but this season Ginobili has been the team’s MVP as he is the main reason for the Spurs’ recent success.

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers- Heading into this All-Star game, Gasol is coming off his best game in recent memory with 30 points and 20 rebounds in the loss to the Cavs.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers- As arguably the most entertaining player in the league, rookie phenom Blake Griffin has quickly become the league’s brightest star.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks- Usually, Nowitzki is a All-Star starter in the West, but with the emergence of Durant the German will be coming off the bench.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder- Every single season, Westbrook seems to get better and better. In time, Westbrook and Durant will be the best duo in the NBA!

Deron Williams, Utah Jazz- The Jazz are going through a drastic transition right now with the recent retirement of head coach Jerry Sloan, but Deron Williams has been able to keep this team afloat and in the hunt for the playoffs.