I'm going to try not to make too much of the insane early All Star voting returns. And I'm going to avoid my "let's get everyone in green into the All Star" game thoughts... just for a moment. Right now, I think there are three Boston Celtics who will be playing in Dallas in February.
Paul Pierce: Right now, Kevin Garnett has more votes than all the other Celtics combined. But despite that, I think he'll get passed once the mainstream media starts talking about who should make it, and people really start looking at the stats. Plus, Chris Bosh will probably go on a very public crusade for All Star votes... which will have some kind of influence. So, assuming that, I think the only member of the Big 3 that will go to the All Star game this time around is Paul Pierce.
Pierce's production has dropped a little as he has allowed the rest of the team to find its groove. But Paul has proven during the Celtics recent struggles that he can, and will, take over when needed. He's 5th among Eastern Conference in scoring right now, even with the recent stretch of low outputs, so there's statistical justification. And there's no way the All Star game will go off without one of the Big 3 on there... so Paul gets the nod
Rajon Rondo: We saw last night why he's an All Star. Not only does he deserve to be on the team, he deserves to start. Dwyane Wade is a runaway leader among guards, and deservedly so. But you can't tell me that Vince Carter, even with his 20.1 ppg, is playing better than Rondo. Carter is scoring well, but he's shooting 41%.
Meanwhile, Rondo is the engine that makes the Celtics go. But let's not make this a Rondo vs. Carter debate. Even if VC gets voted in, there's no way Rajon Rondo gets left off this team. Can you imagine what kind of passes this kid will make with all those great players around him?
Oh yeah... we can... because he's already making them. Rondo's in.
After the jump, the Celtics 3rd All Star
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesKendrick Perkins: Dwight Howard should get every vote for starting center. That much we know. But there isn't a center on that list that I'd rather have after Dwight, than Kendrick Perkins (Al Horford, by the way, should be on the Forwards list).
Perk leads the entire NBA in shooting. He's regarded as one of the league's best low post defenders. Despite picking fouls on some of his picks, he's now being recognized at one of the league's best at setting screens and getting guys open.
Perk is a true center. And, for what it's worth, he might be the only guy in the league who can check Dwight Howard 1-on-1. Perk deserves to be on this team as much as any other. Considering the field, I think he'll make it.