| WEST FIVE TO WATCH |
| SG Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers |
| He got more All-Star votes than anyone, but his team is coasting and he’s getting overshadowed by a rookie on the other team that uses the Staples Center. Think Bryant, a 13-time All-Star who didn’t play last year, is motivated? Um, yeah. |
| PF Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers |
| The All-Star Game itself will be the final act for the main attraction at this year’s showcase. The biggest question for Griffin will be does he have anything left in the tank after the rookie challenge and slam dunk contest? |
| SF Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets |
| If Griffin is the attraction, Anthony is the distraction, assuming the role that Stoudemire had last year of biggest-named player that everyone expects to move teams before next week’s trade deadline. The four-time All-Star was named MVP last year. |
| F/C Kevin Love, Minnesota T-Wolves |
| With his monster numbers (21.1 ppg, 15.5 rpg), there’s no question the third-year center deserved his first All-Star nod. With Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki all needing to save themselves for playoff runs, there’s no reason Love shouldn’t get minutes, too. |
| PG Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Another third-year player in his first All-Star appearance, Westbrook will get a chance to remind the rest of the NBA that even though he’s overshadowed by Kevin Durant, he’s in the conversation when it comes to the best point guards in the league. |
EAST FIVE TO WATCH
SF LeBron James, Miami Heat
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Everyone should’ve known better that James was planning all along to become teammates with Dwyane Wade the way they combined for 53 points and 17 assists in last year’s 141-139 Eastern Conference victory. Perhaps this time around one’ll play better when the other is on the bench?
PF Amar’e Stoudemire New York Knicks
For the first time in six All-Star appearances, Stoudemire will represent the East instead of the West. With his style of play, he always shines on this stage — this year it’ll remind the crowd that the Knicks are relevant again.
PG Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Carrying the entire Bulls team on his back, Rose is hard charging not only toward the playoffs but as a serious challenger to James for NBA MVP. He could be poised for a breakout performance in his second All-Star appearance.
C Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
A five-time All-Star and the second-most popular vote-getter — behind Kobe Bryant — Howard and his mammoth shoulders love to bask in the spotlight, especially because there’s less incentive in an All-Star Game to hack him and let him embarrass himself at the line.
PG Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
The least-heralded among the four Celtics on the East bench, could getting Rondo and the rest of his teammates minutes be a distraction for East coach Doc Rivers? Playing Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett at the same could also be an option.
