All Star Starters set for Phoenix

By Adam Sperber

The city of Phoenix is hosting this year's NBA All Star game.  The starters for both leagues are set and ready to go.  For the East, Allen Iverson will be starting at point guard.  Iverson is averaging 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game.  Iverson was traded back to the East in an early season deal between the Pistons and the Nuggets.  At shooting guard, Dwayne Wade starts for the East.  Wade is averaging 28.8 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game.  Wade currently leads the league in points per game and is having a stellar season.  King James will start at small forward for the East.  The King is averaging 27.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game.  As usual, James is leading the Cavs into the top of the Eastern conference and having a phenomenal season.  Kevin Garnett, the reigning defensive player of the year, will start at power forward for the East.  KG is averaging 16.1 points, 2.6 assists, and 9.1 rebounds per game.  The Big Ticket has not had the greatest season of his career this year but he is helping the Celtics to retain their position in the East.  Dwight Howard will start at center for the East.  Howard is averaging, 19.9 points, 1.4 assists, and 14.0 rebounds per game.  Howard is one of the main reasons that the Magic are where they are in the East.  For the West, Chris Paul will start at point guard.  CP3 is averaging 21.2 points, 11.0 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.  Because of Paul's performance so far this year, the Hornets are near the top of the West.  Kobe Bryant will start at shooting guard for the West.  Bryant is averaging 26.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game.  Kobe's play has allowed the Lakers to climb to the top of the West.  At small forward, Tim Duncan will be starting for the West.  Duncan is averaging 20.4 points, 3.5 assists, and 10.2 rebounds per game.  Duncan has played excellently to this point allowing the Spurs to excel.  Amar'e Stoudemire will start at power forward for the West.  Stoudemire is averaging 21.3 points, 2.2 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game.  Although the Suns are struggling now, Stoudemire is still able to play at his best.  At center, the West will start Yao Ming.  Yao is averaging 19.9 points, 1.8 assists, 9.6 rebounds per game.  Yao has played well up to this point and is helping the Rockets compete in the West.  With this stellar group of starters, the All Star game looks to be an interesting matchup