The final 14 spots remaining for the NBA's greatest showcase will be filled when the 2013 NBA All-Star Game reserves are announced Thursday night.
With the final roster selections up for the coaches to decide, debate has been raging as to who deserves to be recognized as among the NBA's brightest and best stars when the All-Star Game comes to Houston on Feb. 17.
With only seven spots on each conference available, there will be notable snubs among a crop of deserving players. So, the question remains: Who deserves to go to Houston on Feb. 17?
Latinos Post breaks down the predictions for each team:
Eastern Conference
Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks: Chandler has been the rock of the Knicks since he arrived in New York last year. Almost single-handedly, the fiery Chandler has changed the culture of the defense played by New York, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (averaging 12.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks this season) leads the NBA in field goal percentage and is one of the league leaders in rebounds. He's as big a reason as any why the Knicks are on top of the Atlantic Division and could get their first division crown since 1994.
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat: He might be commonly thought of as "the other guy" when it comes to Miami's Big Three of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Bosh, but his effectiveness can't be ignored. Averaging 17.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks this season, he makes the defending champion Heat that much better when he's involved.
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls: Without Derrick Rose, many figured the Bulls would be out of it this season. Not so, thanks to Noah, who has kept the Bulls on pace and currently on top of the Central Division with his all-around play and double-figure averages in points and boards.
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers: For the first time since LeBron James left Cleveland, Cavaliers fans have someone that they can look forward to watching. The 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year has blown off any sophomore slump with a stellar second year at 23.7 points and 5.7 assists--and he's only 20. With a knack for clutch shots and an explosive first step to the hole, Irving is the perfect player for the Cavs to rebuild around.
Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers: Explosive and slick, the 22-year-old Holiday has been establishing himself as one of the best point guards in the Eastern Conference, a league leader in assists (9.0) and scoring 19 points per game for the Sixers.
Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets: The Nets have become serious Eastern Conference contenders, and a big--very big--reason why is the seven-foot Lopez, whose 18.6 points and 7.4 rebounds with 2.1 blocks this season have made the paint a very scary place to be for Nets opponents.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers: Even without their best player, Danny Granger, the Pacers have managed to stay hovering around the top of their division and remain a force in the East thanks to George's 17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Western Conference
James Harden, Houston Rockets: This one's a no-brainer. Harden is one of the league leaders in points with 25.8 points a night, and has helped make Houston into not only a playoff contender, but one of the most exciting teams in the league this season.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder: Another easy pick. Westbrook is the only point guard in the west who is among the Top 10 league leaders in points, assists and steals. Between his dynamic play and the killer scoring of Kevin Durant, it's no wonder why the Thunder are a favorite to win the NBA Championship this season.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: Even at age 36, Duncan remains the standard in the power forward spot in the NBA. Averaging 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds with 2.7 blocks this season, Duncan has been keeping the Spurs with a strangle hold on the Southwest Division and having their efficient league offense looking like they could be making another trip to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007.
Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies: After years of being an expansion team joke, the Grizzlies are a force to be reckoned with thanks to Randolph, whose bruising style of defense and reliable offense have made Memphis into one of the league's best defenses and make them a perennial threat to win the Western Conference crown--as long as they can still afford him, that is.
David Lee, Golden State Warriors: Lee has evolved into one of the game's best power forwards, averaging 19.6 points and 10.8 rebounds this season. Behind his effective and, at times, dominating play, the Warriors have been making noise in the Pacific Division, and could be a lock for a high seed in the playoffs.
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs: In his prime, Parker is the heart of the Spurs' No.3 ranked NBA offense, keeping the ball moving with grace and fluidity while providing a lethal shooting touch and proven scoring power from the point guard position.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: The sensational Curry has helped turn around a once-dismal Golden State team into a contender with his offense (20.9 points this season, eight among NBA scorers) passing (6.6 assists) and overall energy.
TV Schedule
The NBA All-Star Game reserves will be announced during NBA Tip-Off, a one-hour pregame special, airing 7 p.m. EST Thursday on TNT.
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