NBA Tickets – Western Conference All-Star Reserves

The best players in the NBA usually sell the most NBA tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/nba-tickets ; these are the players that are selected to the All-Star team. Here are the seven players I think should make the Western Conference All-Star team as reserves. (Note: All Statistics are as of January 29th.)

Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves: Jefferson is an old-school big man. He’s got a series of post moves and does the bulk of his damage in the painted area. He’s on a team where he faces constant double teams and is still averaging 23 and 10 with more than a block a game and less than two turnovers per contest. He’s a force inside and is one of the league’s up-and-coming star players. I thought he deserved to start over Amare Stoudemire.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: First of all, I throw out team’s records when considering All-Stars; leave that for the MVP voting. Durant has taken the leap from his rookie to sophomore season that most team’s pray their youngsters will. Considering that Durant was rookie of the year last season, I’d say that means he’s playing pretty well in 2008-09. Durant is already one of the twelve best players in the NBA, let alone the western conference. He’s a scoring machine and is developing a good knack for rebounds as well. His defense is improving and he looks destined to be one of the best five players in the league very soon.

Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers: Roy has catapulted himself into the upper echelon this season. He was a really good player last season and he’s looking more and more like a great player these days. He’s showing the ability to be a team’s true go-to guy and should be rewarded with his second selection to the All-Star team.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: I don’t know whether it’s because he makes it looks so easy, because he does it every season or because he’s been labeled by some as mentally soft, but Dirk Nowitzki just doesn’t get enough credit. Dirk is averaging almost 26 points per game and adding over eight boards per contest as well. He shoots a good percentage from the field for his style of play and is one of the league’s best from the line. For me, he’s a no-brainer.

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs: Parker doesn’t get enough credit either, which is somewhat understandable when your teammate is Tim Duncan and your coach is Greg Popovich, but he’s having the best year of his career thus far. He’s averaging more points and assists per game than he ever has before and is playing at a very high level. He did miss some time, which I always consider, but I don’t think it’s enough to deny him the nod.

Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns: I know he’s having a down year, but that’s in comparison to the phenomenal performances that he put up under offensive guru Mike D’Antoni. I still think he deserves a spot thanks to his out-of-this-world shooting percentages and the fact that he’s averaging more than nine assists per contest.

Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz: Millsap is having his breakout season thanks to an injury to Carlos Boozer. He posts a double-double pretty much every night and is one of the hardest workers on the glass. He’s going to be rewarded with a big contract this summer, but first he should be rewarded with an All-Star spot.