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The league's coaches make the decisions and have to take two guards, two forwards and one center, along with a pair of so-called wild cards that can play any position. The results will be unveiled Thursday night at 7 p.m. (et) on TNT, before the Celtics-Magic contest.
With that in mind, let's play Carnac and reveal who should make the trip to Jerry Jones' opulent Palace just outside of Dallas, along with a few deserving players that just missed the cut...
EASTERN CONFERENCE
GuardsJoe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks have officially joined the Eastern Conference's elite, and Johnson is a lock to make his fourth straight All-Star appearance. One of the NBA's best pure scorers, Johnson can give even the best defensive teams fits with a vast array of offensive skills. He can score from anywhere on the floor and can break down even the best defenders off the dribble. Few teams have a better option down the stretch of a game than Atlanta, and Johnson is also an underrated defender.
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics - Rondo leads the NBA in steals and is third in assists behind Chris Paul and Steve Nash. On a team filled with big-name talent, the former University of Kentucky star may be the most deserving All- Star. Rondo's Achilles' heel, the jumper, is still a problem (he's shooting just 7-of-40 from beyond the arc) but his lightning-quick first step has enabled him to amass a 53.4 shooting percentage from the floor, an unbelievable mark for a guard.
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Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics - I admit that when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen arrived in Boston, I thought Paul Pierce was the one who would have trouble fitting in. "The Truth" had always struck me as a scorer that needed his touches or he would sulk, affecting his play on both ends of the floor. Well, I was wrong. Pierce's numbers have certainly gone down with all the talent assembled around him but the vaunted skills are still there in spades, and an eighth All-Star appearance is virtually assured. A superlative offensive player, Pierce is the man of 1,000 moves, who uses his brilliant body control to abuse defenders and parade to the free throw line at will. He's also an underrated defender when motivated.
Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors - This is certainly going to be Bosh's swan song north of the border, since he will be one of the prized free agents in the vaunted 2010 class and he's not re-signing. In fact, Bosh could be moved by the Feb. 18 trade deadline. Either way, he is going out in style as one of the best offensive power forwards in the game, averaging 23.9 ppg and 11.1 rpg.
Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats - Wallace may be the most underrated all- around player in the Eastern Conference, averaging a double-double of 18.6 ppg and 11.0 rpg. An extremely athletic wing man, Wallace has always been more of a slasher and a scorer than shooter, but he's taken the next step and helped turn Larry Brown's latest club into a legit playoff contender.
Centers
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls - Offensively-challenged guys usually aren't regarded as All-Stars but Noah has turned into one of the most improved players in the NBA, averaging a double-double of 11.3 ppg and 12.1 rpg. Noah has always played with great energy and his wingspan along with his athletic ability enable him to wreak havoc on the defensive end.
David Lee, New York Knicks - Lee is a double-double machine and I can't figure out why New York wouldn't want a guy like this around for the long-term. He may not awe anyone with his physical skills but he's consistently productive for an overachieving team.
ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls - Rose has overcome a slow start due to an ankle injury and the Bulls, who underachieved early, may be ready to take off behind him. One of the quickest players in the game and an excellent ball-handler, Rose can get to the front of the rim at will.Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks - Smith remains on the verge of stardom but still relies a little too much on his extraordinary athleticism and must improve his fundamentals to get to the next level.
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers - Iguodala is one of the game's most underrated players. An athletic marvel, Iguodala can stuff the stat sheet like few others and covets the big moment. However, he has only been an All-Star- level performer at the three spot, and has been a consistent disappointment playing the two thanks to a minus jumper.
Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets - Lopez is obviously on a horrible team but in a league virtually devoid of solid big men, he's a star in the making. A daily, double-double threat, the former Stanford stalwart has great hands and a nice touch around the rim.
Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons - These are certainly not your father's Pistons, or even your big brother's but on a team that still sports Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, it's amazing that Stuckey is the closest thing they have to an All-Star. He's no Chauncey Billups but Stuckey is an emerging player at the point with a solid defensive presence.
Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks - The rookie has impressive baseline-to- baseline speed but, like most young players, lacks the consistent jumper right now. A year or two down the line and Jennings may be unstoppable.
WESTERN CONFERENCE RESERVES
GuardsChris Paul, New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets have had a bit of a down season thus far but Paul remains the game's best pure point guard, averaging 20.0 points and a league-high 11.2 assists. Paul has an almost innate sense on the floor and always understands what his team needs, whether it's scoring when necessary or distributing to the right spots when his teammates have it going on.
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz - It's hard to believe Williams has never made an All-Star team since he's probably the best point guard in the NBA not named Chris Paul. The Illinois product takes like a duck to water in Jerry Sloan's pick-and-roll heavy offense. He's incredibly strong, knows where his teammates are at all times and can knock down the jumper when you need it. Williams also runs the break like few others.
Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers - The Blazers remain relevant despite a ton of injuries thanks, in large part, to Roy and his smooth stroke. He plays in relative anonymity in the Pacific Northwest but Roy may be the game's best closer other than Kobe Bryant.
Forwards
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks - I'm not sure a superstar can be underrated but I'm starting to consider it with Nowitzki. The German star has overcome a rough offseason to turn in one of his most complete performances thus far. The bread and butter of Nowitzki's game is being able to use his 7-foot, 245-pound frame to overmatch defenders and he is putting up another monster year with free agency on the horizon.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder - Durant and his Thunder have turned the corner and this will be the first of annual All-Star berths for the slim, high-scoring forward. The silky smooth Durant is battling LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant for the scoring title. That's impressive company.
Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies - Randolph has always been one of the few NBA players to be a daily 20-10 threat but he has put it together off the floor this season, becoming a team leader for the very young and very talented Grizzlies.
Center
Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers - Kaman should actually be the starting center in the West, averaging over 20 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the floor.
ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN
Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors - When healthy Ellis is a threat to play 48 minutes a night and is averaging over 26 ppg. Only the incredible depth in the West keeps him out of the All-Star game.Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies - Gay is part of the big three in Memphis along with Randolph and O.J. Mayo. An athletic forward, averring 20.5 ppg, Gay is still hounded by questions about his desire and intensity on a daily basis.
Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz - Everyone knows Boozer can play when healthy and the former Duke star has been able to stay on the floor this season. Williams and Boozer isn't quite Stockton and Malone but it's a reasonable facsimile. Like Malone, Boozer has great movement skills, can run the floor and finish like few others.
Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets - Brooks has proven last year's coming out party in the postseason was no fluke. The Rockets' leading scorer (18.7) and assist man (5.0), Brooks has a first step that can torture any defender in the league.
Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings - The presumptive Rookie of the Year has made the Kings much more competitive this season although they have slumped badly recently. That said, Evans is stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis, averaging 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per night.
O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies - Yep, the Memphis Grizzlies have three players worthy of All-Star consideration. Randolph is the only one getting in this season but the Grizz are really making noise, already matching last season's win total and currently occupying the seventh seed in the very competitive West. The fact that Mayo is a third option for Lionel Hollins explains all you need to know.
Carl Landry, Houston Rockets - Without Yao Ming, someone had to step up in the Houston frontcourt. Who knew it would be Carl Landry? A leading candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man Award, Landry comes off Rick Adelman's bench to change games with his incredible energy.
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