All-Star Picks - West

Voting for the 2012 NBA All-Star teams began on January 4, 2012. Here are my picks for the Western Conference starters.

Center - Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers

Once again, this is the toughest decision on the ballot... due to a general lack of deserving candidates. Last year, I voted for Portland's Marcus Camby over a weak field, as a sort of "Lifetime Achievement Award." This year, I'll (grudgingly) select Andrew Bynum... at least he's a fine player - when he isn't hurt and/or suspended.

Of course, the ballot-makers could have made this a lot easier by listing Pau Gasol or Tim Duncan or LaMarcus Aldridge as a center...

At least we don't have to worry about Yao Ming winning this spot again. Yao was selected as the West's starting center last season - despite the fact that he had played in only five games, and none the year before that. Yao formally retired over the summer, which will probably cut his overall vote total considerably.

Actually, Yao might be a better choice than most of these guys. Maybe I'll write him in.

Forward - Dirk Nowitzki

Getty Images - Mike Ehrmann

The Western Conference forward ballot probably has the deepest pool of deserving candidates. Kevin Durant is a gimme... but who else? You could make a very strong case for Pau Gasol, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, Zach Randolph or LaMarcus Aldridge... but after last season's run to the championship, I'm inclined to honor Mr. Nowitzki in this spot.

Forward - Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

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Durant is the only player not named "LeBron" with a legit claim to the "Best Player in the World" honorific. And he won't reach his 24th birthday until late September.

Shooting Guard - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

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Honestly, I'm torn here. Selecting Kobe as a Western Conference guard is like checking Derek Jeter's name for American League All-Star shortstop... it's habit. It's comforting. But I'm wondering if it's still the right decision. I'm torn between Kobe - who will almost certainly win regardless of what I do - and Russell Westbrook. I'll stick with Kobe for one more year... he's already been dumped once this season.

Guard: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

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The only thing that would have taken Paul off my Western Conference ballot? A trade to the East.

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All-Star Picks - East

Voting for the 2012 NBA All-Star teams began on January 4, 2012. Here are my picks for the Eastern Conference starters.

Generally speaking, I try to select an all-star team that fairly reflects a standard NBA lineup; though the league insists - for reasons I've never understood - on lumping all "guards" and "forwards" together in two groups, I prefer to select a point guard and a shooting guard, and a small forward and a power forward. I'll make exceptions on occasion... and this year's Eastern Conference roster is one such occasion.

Voting continues until January 31st. Teams will be announced on February 2nd.

Center - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

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The Eastern Conference is much deeper at the center spot than the West, with Atlanta's Al Horford, New York's Tyson Chandler and Chicago's Joakim Noah all deserving of mention. But this spot belongs to Dwight Howard unless (until) he gets traded to a Western Conference club.

Forward - Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Rebecca Taylor/MSG Photos

Ordinarily, I prefer to pick a true power forward and a true small forward on my all-star ballot, but this year I'm making an exception because 'Melo is putting up some eye-popping numbes for Mike D'Antoni's Knicks. If you'd rather Amar'e Stoudemire in this slot, I won't object.

Forward - LeBron James, Miami Heat

Getty Images Sport - Mike Ehrmann/Staff

Who else? Joke all you want about James' late game troubles in the playoffs... that doesn't change the fact that he's the best all-around player in the game today.

Guard - Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

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Another absolute no-brainer, especially now that Wade and his buddy LeBron seem to be working out the whole "who is the real top dog in Miami" thing.

Guard: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

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I gave Boston's Rajon Rondo the (slight) edge at this spot last season, but his play tailed off in the second half while Rose led the Bulls to the league's best record and was named league MVP.

New Jersey's Deron Williams also deserves consideration here... at this point, I'd put Williams behind Rose, ahead of Rondo.

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