Nugg Love Roundtalk: All-Star Reserves Selection Special

J.J. (@JJ_Vega17):

Russell Westbrook-

• Do I need to explain this to y’all? Do I need to explain why a guy who’s averaging 30.8 PPG, 10.6 RPG and 10.4 APG needs to be an all-star? I don’t think I do. But I really do need someone to explain to me WHY IN THE BLUE SKY is Westbrook not a starter? I guess the NBA is that weird. But anyways, this is an obvious one. And looking at how things are right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Westbrook wins the MVP Award for a third straight year.

DeMarcus Cousins-

• Another one that I can’t get my head on. How does the best center in the league right now (yes, I said it), is not a starter on the All Star team? This guy is absolutely phenomenal. He’s averaging 28 PPG and 10.2 RPG in 34 minutes. Above all this and what is absolutely surprising to me, he’s still in Sacramento. And he’s the main reason they win. He’s a dominant force in every aspect of the game, and there is no doubt he deserves that spot.

Karl-Anthony Towns-

• I’m going to be honest with you people. I am not a fan of KAT. But I have to admit, he’s on his way to be one of the greatest centers that this era has seen. Just like Cousins, Towns can put the ball on the floor with ease, has a great shooting percentage, can attack the basket at his own pace and he can defend. No surprise he was Rookie of the Year this past season (and won the Skills Challenge…wow) and it won’t be a surprise if he gets the invitation to the All Star team. But his numbers speak for themselves. Averaging 22 and 12 and has the ceiling to keep improving every year.

Gordon Hayward-

• My God, do I hate the Jazz. But Gordon Hayward is becoming one of the most threatening small forward in the league right now. He’s averaging 21.8 PPg and 5.7 RPG (both career highs!), and he’s shooting an amazing 40% on 3FG%. The Jazz have finally come out of the basement and they are now 5th in the Western Conference and there si no doubt that Hayward has been one of the reasons for that. he deserves to be an All Star. No questions asked.

Chris Paul-

• Yes, there is little chance that Paul would be able to make it to the All Star Game. But his amazing playmaking skills and scoring ability is what have kept the Clippers a fighting franchise. He’s averaging a little below 18 PPG and 10 APG in just 31 minutes (career low), so even when his minutes are decreasing, he’s still putting up respectable numbers. And let’s face it. Chris paul is still the best TRUE point guard in the league. What would the All Star be without him? Get CP3 in there!

(Alternate: C.J. McCollum)

Damian Lillard-

• Now, you might say that he’s here because he didn’t make it last year. Maybe…maybe not. But there is no doubt that he deserved to be there last year and there is no doubt that he deserves to be there THIS year as well. Dame is averaging 26.2 points, 4.8 rebounds (both career high) and 5.9 assists. The Trailblazers still haven’t figured out the way to stay in a positive record, but that certainly isn’t Lillard’s fault. He’s playing like a star because he is a star. And he needs to be there on February 19th.

Marc Gasol-

• This guy is having an amazing season, averaging a career high 20.1 PPG and keeping the Grizzlies a playoff team even when people said that they would fall. What has Gasol added to his arsenal? A lethal three-point shot that have ended a couple of games for the Grizzlies this season. Marc is still pretty valuable to the NBA and he has created a reputation to be one of the most complete centers in the league right now. So, there is no questioning this one. Gasol needs to be there.