NBA All Star 2008 (My Selections) Part 2

It's been about 12 days since since the polls opened, and I've changed over half of my votes. I guess the reason why I changed a lot of my votes is because I followed a lot of the hype last time, ie. Kevin Durant, Boston Big 3, Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams (no doubt those are all good players and all star material). So I took a look at other performances and I saw more. So here's an update. I'll probably have the next one with 35 days left to vote.

WEST

FORWARD: CARLOS BOOZER. He hasn't let up yet averaging 25 ppg, 11 rpg, and 2.6 apg. He also has 5 double doubles. He should because that's what he's averaging.

FORWARD: RON ARTEST. He's only played 5 games due to the 7 game suspension, but he is really doing good with 22 ppg, 7 rpg, and 4 apg. He can post up a lot of forwards and get them to struggle. He's already held Shawn Marion to 2 points this season and has held big names like T-Mac and KG below their averages in the past. He said that before the brawl, he was on his way to a "MVP" season with 24 ppg, 6 rpg, and 3 apg through 7 games. I don't think he'll be in the running for MVP, but we'll just have to see how he does for the rest of the season. I'll vote for him as long as he stays out of trouble. Last Time (Kevin Durant)

GUARD: BARON DAVIS. I'm hearing a lot about Deron Williams and Chris Paul and I understand that, but Baron Davis has been phenomenal so far. He's outplaying them averaging 24 ppg, 5 rpg, and 9 apg. He's #4 in apg. too. Last Time ( Chris Paul)

GUARD: KEVIN MARTIN. He's been quiet lately, but he's had ten 20 point games including 43 against the Knicks. He's averaging 25 ppg, 5 rpg, and 2 apg. He's still in the top 5 in scoring and is in the top 10 in 9 categories. He's improving himself defensively. In the past 5 games, he's averaged 7 rpg.

CENTER: CHRIS KAMAN. How 'bout Kaman? He's been doing great with 18 ppg, 14 rpg and 2 apg. Only 4 centers on the ballot average more points than him and 2 centers rebound more. That's some pretty good company he's in right now. Last Time ( LaMarcus Aldridge)

EAST

FORWARD: RICHARD JEFFERSON. This might be his year. Early on he's outperforming Vince Carter. RJ's got 25 ppg, 5 rpg, and 3 apg. It's good to see him playing so well. Once VC starts to rev it up and stay like that, the Nets could be a very dangerous team. Their center, Nenad Kristic, needs to step up though.

FORWARD: CARON BUTLER. With Gilbert Arenas out of the picture for 3 months, the rest of the Wizards' starters can take the spotlight like Caron Butler has. He's averaging 22 ppg, 7 rpg, and 3 apg right now, on his way to his best season. He already dropped 39 points in the win over the Bobcats. 39 is good on any team. Last Time ( Kevin Garnett)

GUARD: JOE JOHNSON. I knew he was good, but not this good. With 23 ppg, 4 rpg, and 6 apg, you're up there in the top. If the Suns would have kept him, they might have a championship. Right now he's leading the darkhorse Hawks for their first playoff appearance in over a decade. Last Time ( Jason Kidd)

GUARD: MICHAEL REDD. He's been averaging 24.5 ppg, 6 rpg and 4 apg so far. I haven't seen him play recently, but he's been playing good with the Bucks. Hopefully, good teamwork will lead the Bucks to the playoffs after a one year's absence. Last Time ( Ray Allen)

CENTER: DWIGHT HOWARD. Youngest player to pass the 5,000 rebound mark. Not only that, he's the scoring leader of the centers right now, 1 point over Yao Ming. He's also second in rebounding to Marcus Camby. He's proving that he should be the future of the Magic with 23 ppg, 14.5 rpg, and 2 apg.

WRITE-IN: BRENDAN HAYWOOD. With Etan Thomas out, he's really stepped up with his start, getting double doubles early in the year. He's basically averaging 9 ppg. and 9 rpg. and jumped on the scene pretty early. Last Time ( Kenyon Martin)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Shaq's been playing a lot better and I'm glad to see that, but I think that Dwight Howard has a shot of starting at center this year. Remember, when LeBron went to play 3 games in China? He was there too, so he might have some fans voting for him over there too. Tim Duncan got moved from center to power forward. I think that's a good move because he's been classified as the best PF in the NBA. I also spotted Luis Scola on the ballot. If he's there, why isn't Yi Jianlian there too? I don't think that's fair that he got on there and Yi didn't, especially when he's doing better. And Antoine Walker is on the ballot at guard. Hasn't he started at small forward the past few years? I don't know, if you can move Tim Duncan, you can move him too.