Selection of NBA All-Star teams is mostly on target

Barring notable absences of players such as Boston¿s Rajon Rondo from the East line-up and Golden State's Monta Ellis from the West's best, the choices have been spot-on.

Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo (R) drives past Chicago Bulls Carlos Boozer in the second half of their NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts February 12, 2012. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL) *** Local Caption ***  BOS107_NBA-_0212_11.JPG
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All-Star teams always are slightly unsatisfactory endeavours. Someone worthy of the honour inevitably is left out.

This year's NBA teams were particularly treacherous, given the small sample size (about 25 games) from which to evaluate the players.

Despite that, the fans and coaches got it mostly right. Which is not the same as saying there were not several mistakes.

West starters Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers), Chris Paul and Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma). Reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Marc Gasol (Memphis), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Kevin Love (Minnesota), Steve Nash (Phoenix), Tony Parker (San Antonio), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma).

Reaction I love Griffin but Love has been a sensation; he is No 4 in scoring and No 2 in rebounding. Nowitzki said he was undeserving this season; he is right. Anyone notice that Golden State's Monta Ellis is averaging 22.2 points?

East starters LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Miami), Derrick Rose (Chicago), Dwight Howard (Orlando), Carmelo Anthony (New York). Reserves: Chris Bosh (Miami), Luol Deng (Chicago), Roy Hibbert (Indiana), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia), Joe Johnson (Atlanta), Paul Pierce (Boston), Deron Williams (New Jersey).

Reaction Iguodala over Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks? Boston's Rajon Rondo has been better than Williams. Anthony has been off and is now injured; better to start Johnson.

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