NBA All-Star Starters Announced

Here's a quick look at who the fans voted in as starters for the 2012 NBA All Star Game. I feel like people like to be critical sometimes of who the fans select, but here's the thing. This is an exhibition game that is ultimately for the fans. If the fans vote someone in, it's because they want to see them play. Whether they're the best or "most deserving" players or not, it shouldn't really matter. Anyhow, let's take a lot at the starting fives.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

C - Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic - Howard has been somewhat of a controversial figure this year as his desire to get out of town has served as quite a distraction for the Magic. After a 10-3 start, the Magic have won just 3 of their last 9 games including a number of embarrassing losses. Still, while Howard may be a distraction, he's the league's leading rebounder and he's averaged over 20 points a game this year. Six times this season, Howard has grabbed at least 20 rebounds in a game. This will be Howard's 6th All-Star Game.

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F - LeBron James - Miami Heat - Love him or hate him, there's no denying James's talent. The polarizing forward is second in the league in scoring, and is averaging better than 8 rebounds a game (a career high) this season. Even with running mate Dwyane Wade missing 9 games due to injuries, James is still averaging 7 assists a game as the Heat lead the Southeast Division with a record of 16-6. This will be James's 8th All-Star Game.

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F - Carmelo Anthony - New York Knicks - Anthony hasn't been enjoying a great season in New York. The Knicks have lost 10 of 12 games and Anthony is shooting a career low 40.4%. Anthony even endured a game against the Bobcats last month where he failed to make a field goal and finished with just one point. Still, despite his poor finishing, Anthony is still 5th in the league in scoring and is averaging a career high 4.4 assists per game. This will be Anthony's 5th All-Star Game.

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G - Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat - Wade's been limited to just 13 games this season, but the Heat are 8-1 without him compared to just 8-5 with him. Still, Wade is the unquestioned leader in Miami and is averaging over 20 points and 5 assists for the Heat this season. This will be Wade's 8th All-Star Game.

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G - Derrick Rose - Chicago Bulls - The reigning league MVP is enjoying another stellar season for the Bulls this year. The Bulls have the best record in the Eastern Conference (19-6) and despite his health issues, he entered play tonight as the league's 6th leading scorer and is averaging close to 8 assists a game. This will be Rose's 3rd All-Star Game.

Photo Credit: chicagomag.com

WESTERN CONFERENCE

C - Andrew Bynum - Los Angeles Lakers - The 24 year old Bynum is averaging career highs in points (16.5) and rebounds (12.1) and is starting to come into his own this year. It will be interesting to see what happens with Bynum moving forward as the Lakers have been linked to Dwight Howard and any deal for the Magic center would almost certainly include Bynum. This will be Bynum's 1st All-Star Game.

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F - Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder - Durant and the Thunder have the best record in the NBA right now (17-4). The 23 year old superstar is third in the NBA in scoring and is averaging career highs in rebounds and assists while shooting a career best 50.6% from the field. This will be Durant's 3rd All-Star Game.

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F - Blake Griffin - Los Angeles Clippers - Griffin and the Clippers are in 1st place in the Pacific Division right now, a full game and a half ahead of the Lakers entering play tonight. The reigning Slam Dunk Champion is currently 9th in the league in scoring and 5th in the league in rebounding. This will be Griffin's 2nd All-Star Game.

Photo Credit: nydailynews.com

G - Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers - The 33 year old Bryant is proving doubters wrong by averaging over 30 points a game for the first time since the 2006-2007 season. While the Lakers have struggled (by Laker standards) to a 13-9 start, Bryant has certainly been a bright spot. This will be Bryant's 14th consecutive All-Star Game tying an NBA record shared by Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West and Karl Malone. Bryant tied a record with his 4th All-Star MVP Award in last year's game.

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G- Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers - Paul has been hampered by a hamstring injury, but still has the Clippers in first place. With high fliers Griffin and DeAndre Jordan teamed up with him, Paul has provided no shortage of highlights in 'Lob City' and ranks third in the league with over 9 assists a game. This will be Paul's 5th All-Star Game.

Photo Credit: usatoday.com