Yesterday, I wrote about who should be the reserves for the Eastern Conference All Star team. It was a pretty damn good piece of writing. Today, I’m going to try to emulate that type of success by writing about who should be given the honor of backing up Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. This is a list of who SHOULD make the team, not who actually will, because we know this is a Mean Girls-esque popularity contest.

Like yesterday’s column, I’ll pick two guards, two forwards, a center, and the next two best players. The real rosters don’t come out until Thursday, but do not be alarmed when these predictions are pretty much spot on.

Western Conference Reserves

Guards

Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City- This choice is pretty easy. Westbrook is one of the best guards in the entire league, and is having his best season as a pro. He’s third amongst West guards in scoring, second in rebounding, and fourth in assists. Altogether, that’s a pretty impressive resume. If Chris Paul weren’t having an outstanding season, Westbrook could easily slide into a starter’s role on the All Star team. Westbrook also has great style, so I’d like to see what he busts out in Houston.

Stephen Curry, G, Golden State- The Warriors have been surprisingly successful this year, and it’s not a big mystery why. Despite always having talent, the Warriors were derailed in the past by injuries. Not this year. This Ms. Prissypants has managed to avoid missing games and has finally put up the numbers we knew he could. Usually he’s a strong gust of wind from missing a month, but this year he’s stayed on the court and produced 20+ points a game. He rebounds and passes the ball well, and shoots very high percentage shots. He has quick hands and plays exceptional defense on the perimeter. His biggest asset is his ability to run the point, or slide into the shooting guard’s role.

Forwards

David Lee, PF, Golden State- Quick, when was the last time the Golden State Warriors had two All Stars? Seriously, go look it up, I can wait. If my predictions are correct, which they should be, the Lee will be the second player to represent the Warriors and is very worthy of the honor. Lee averages a double-double with 19.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He’s not much of a force on the defensive end, but he shoots over 50% from the field and almost 80% from the free throw line. Lee is more than good enough to make this All Star roster.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Portland- Aldridge has secretly been one of the best players in the Western Conference for a couple years. He’s second in the West amongst forwards in scoring, behind Kevin Durant. The Blazers have a triumvirate of fringe All Stars with Aldridge, Damian Lillard, and Nicolas Batum, but the team as a whole isn’t good enough to warrant the inclusion of more than one of these guys. Aldridge is the best player on Portland and has played well enough to earn a spot in Houston.

Center

Marc Gasol, C, Memphis- Gasol has been a dominate force of fundamental nature in the post for the Grizzlies. He’s a big, fat, hairy Spaniard that plays the game like a big, fat, hairy Spaniard. He can shoot a mid-range jumper, he makes free throws, he blocks out and moves people to get his share of the boards, and he probably has a great sense of humor. There aren’t many true centers left in the world, but Gasol is one, and he is a good one.

Best of the Rest

James Harden, SG, Houston- Let the hometown kid play. Best known for his beard, Harden has channeled the power of the chin mop and used his newfound powers to score. Lots. Harden is third in the West in scoring, behind Durant and Kobe Bryant. He sees the court very well for a shooting guard, and it shows in his stat line. Harden averages 5.3 assists a game, which is first among shooting guards in the West. Above average perimeter defense, combined with an outstanding offensive game, make Harden deserving of a spot on the All Star roster.

Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio- Someday Duncan has to start to slow down, right? This year he’s looked like a power forward in his prime, but the man is 36 years old. His 17.3 points per game ranks him fifteenth in the West. He’s shooting over 50% from the field, and is shooting 82% from the free throw line, which is 13% higher than his career average. Where he’s shocked me the most has been on the defensive end. He’s second in the West in blocked shots, at 2.78 per game. Shot blocking is a young man’s skill, but Timmy continues to defy logic and is swatting shots like it’s 1997.

Apr. 19, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward (32) Blake Griffin talks with guard (3) Chris Paul in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Clippers 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

When it comes to true point guards, the first name to come to mind is Chris Paul.  Here’s a guy who went to the Clippers and they end up winning a playoff series. He also placed third in MVP voting, so you can see how valuable of a player he is.  He can also lock down on defensive as he’s been right near the top of the league in steals.  He helped USA get the Gold this past summer,and should help the Clippers become more of a recognized Los Angeles team this coming season.

Deron Williams

Mar 21, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) brings the ball up court during the second half against the Washington Wizards at the Prudential Center. Washington Wizards defeat the New Jersey Nets 108-89. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

I’d view Deron Williams as the face of the Brooklyn Nets, which is huge as they’re moving to a new arena, and want that lull of being the plain old Nets into something more.  Deron can help turn that around.  He’s another true point guard, who can look for others and get his own points when asked.  I remember he torched the Indiana Pacers in a game, so I always give credit where credit is due.  He could help Joe Johnson find better avenues to score as the Nets look to make a leap in the Eastern Conference.

Derrick Rose

Apr 28, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) reacts to scoring during the third quarter in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. The Bulls won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Derrick Rose is the type of player who goes out there with nothing left in the tank afterwards.  He is so aggressive in the lane, it’s no wonder he ended up injuring himself so much last season and wound up missing the entire playoffs.  But that’s the type of play you want from a point guard.  I had a hard time deciding if he was a “point guard.”  Ultimately, thinking that the way he leads the Chicago Bulls is point guard status.

Russell Westbrook

Jun 19 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) agains the Miami Heat during the third quarter of game four in the 2012 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

On any other team, Russell Westbrook is the star player.  Right now, he does player number two to Kevin Durant, but can play number one when called upon. Both guys can score.  But Westbrook has gotten better in his point guard role. He can look for the other players on the floor, and isn’t afraid to voice his opinion about what’s going on.

Rajon Rondo

June 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes over Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Boy did my opinion change on Rondo once I actually sat and watched him play in the playoffs.  Going out and playing a full game plus overtime and producing the way he did is saying something.  He’s almost like Derrick Rose and Dwayne Wade with the way he plays.  No caution to the wind and drives down the lane like no one is there.  He can find those great passing lanes that sometimes end up as a turnover because the other guy doesn’t realize he’s open there.  He’s a vocal guy as well, which earns him a bit of a bad rep.  There’s no denying now the Celtics are his team with the age of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Tony Parker

Jun 06, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) drives to the basket around Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first half in game six of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

Here’s a guy who had a great season last year after falling off a bit the season before.  There’s no doubt what a tremendous player Tony Parker is for the Spurs as evident by his fourth place finish in MVP voting.  He’s got his own style of play as well and can get guys to where they’re in great positions to score.  He’s got a couple of years left with Tim Duncan, so hopefully they can continue the success they’ve had.