NBA 2013-14: Predictions for East All-Star starters at quarter-way mark of the season
Picking the Eastern Conference All-Star starters would certainly be a lot easier than the West. Quarter-way through the season, you can pretty much predict the starters on the basis of performance, because of the lop-sided nature of the East.
Just like the West, the absence of a center spot in the selection for the team plays a huge role. 3 spots on the line-up are pretty much known and are absolutely no surprises. Meanwhile, injuries to big name point guards in the East such as Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo have opened the doors for a new guard at the point.
Remembering that performance is the only basis for selection, here is your much deserved East All-Stars starters at the quarter-way mark in the season.
Back court -
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
Among current healthy young point guards in the league, John Wall has been the best through the first quarter of the season.
His improved performance clearly shows in his per game averages for the season so far. Averaging 19.3 points and 9.2 assists, he is shooting 40.4% from the field and has upped his three point shooting percentage to a 32.1, respectable by his standards.
Wall is a devastating player in transition whether it is creating and making shots himself or creating opportunities for his teammates. Couple the arrival of Martin Gortat and the back court duo of Bradley Beal and Wall, Washington fans could be staring at a playoff spot this season.
He might not make the line-up, courtesy Kyrie Irving’s higher fan vote but he might still make his debut as a reserve. Having said that, purely on the basis of his performance Wall wins the battle among the East point guards for a spot on the All-Star starting line-up.
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
He has quietly put up an efficient performance this season shooting a career high 52.3% from the field and not just leading but exceeding positional averages in rebounds, assists, blocks and steals recording 4.8, 5.1, 0.6,1.9 respectively.
So what if he has taken an off on the second game of a back to back? His performance when he plays releases the pressure of James. Although the number of game he has played is less, he still leads shooting guards in the East in PER (21) at the age of 31.
Despite Demar Derozan and Aaron Afflalo putting up higher scoring averages, the minimal impact on their team and Wade’s star appeal makes him the favorite to feature in the line-up. Fan vote tally clearly shows his appeal, he is the leading vote getter among East guards.
Front court -
LeBron James (Miami Heat)
There is no viable explanation for not selecting the overall leading vote getter in the line-up. He is currently the best player on the planet and yet his game is still headed upwards.
King James has refined his perimeter shooting efficiency to a career high 59.9 positioning him to fourth on the leaders table for field goal efficiency. That’s a first for the reigning two time regular season MVP.
He is averaging 25.3 points, fourth in point leaders in the league, 6.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists. Although certain players ranked ahead of him in the MVP race early in the season, but even before the quarter mark of the season is reached he is back on top and all set to win a 3rd consecutive and 5 overall MVP award.
Barring an injury, James is all set to make his 10TH All-Star appearance in New Orleans come February of 2014.
Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
He is arguably a top 5 player in basketball right now. He has the rare combination of getting hot offensively and average 23.8 points per game and at the same time is named by many experts as the one of the best defender at his position.
NBA’s Most Improved Player of last season is having a MVP caliber year this season. Trailing only James in votes among the front court players in the East, George’s vast offensive improvement and increase in efficiency on both ends of the floor is a huge reason behind the Pacers’ great start to the season.
He can dunk the ball, hit the big shot and play exceptional D. That’s quite an entertainment package for the All-Star game. He has been a revelation this season and without doubt deserves to be on the starting line-up among the league’s elite.
Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
His team has been struggling to put even 2 wins together but Anthony’s performance has elevated this season. He currently leads the East in scoring with 26.3 points and is rebounding better than he ever has in career with an average of 9. His turnovers have been cut and he his shooting only one below his career average mark.
His individual performance has not been able to translate into wins for the franchise, the team is one of the worst home teams in the league and it might just be logical to put the blame on the team’s best player or maybe not.
He has received his typical heavy volume of votes and most definitely will make the starting cut for the All-Star game but not many league fans might be pleased seeing him take court on starting duty.