Western Conference All Star Starters, How Worthy?

While the Eastern Conference had no problems with their selections, all more than worthy and deserving of being a starter, can the Western starters be looked at under the same light?

Chris Paul- Maybe a dark horse for MVP, with his team streaking again and in the fifth spot of the Western Conference, because in large part of Paul's efforts, he is worthy of the accolades. He is averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 assists, and 2.6 steals a game, more than worthy numbers with a near double-double average. Definitely worthy of a start.

Kobe Bryant-The Los Angeles Lakers are once again among the Western Conference and NBA elite, in search of their third straight title, and they are once again doing it behind the leadership of Kobe. Leading the team in both points and assists, Bryant is also bringing in five rebounds a game, doing a little bit of everything for the Lakers. He was once again the top vote getter for the game, so you can not deny the fans feelings for him. Definitely worthy of a start.

Kevin Durant- Now when you are talking about short list of MVP candidates, unstoppable scorers, or freaks of science then you have to be adding Kevin Durant's name in there. He is proving to be worthy of the preseason hype, playing at an MVP type form for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Just the other night he tied Blake Griffin for the most points in a single game this year with 47, while grabbing a career high 18 rebounds. That just added to his league leading 28.6 points per game, and the aura that is Durant. Definitely Worthy of a start.

Carmelo Anthony- I am one of the biggest fans that Carmelo has, but at this point this season this one is a questionable start. He has been talked about in trades all season long, has had a few of his worst games in his career so far this season, and his scoring average (his main claim to fame). Though Carmelo has picked it up as of late, and since trade rumors have quieted a bit he has been back on track. He also leads the team in scoring still, as well as rebounds with eight per game, on a team that is currently sixth in the west. The questioning also only comes into play because of the depth in the west, but is Carmelo an All-Star talent, obviously yes. Worthy of a start yeah I think so, but more worthy than others, that is where you could have an argument for no.

Yao Ming- Now when Yao is healthy and playing his best he is without a doubt, in my mind, worthy of being the starting center on the West All-Stars. With that being said, this is a joke. Yao has only played in four games this year. Four. Now while I know he has been injured over the years, and his fans from back home in China are the ones giving him all these votes, it is ridiculous that he has been voted in as a starter again. Yao unfortunately can not get healthy lately, and that should not punish someone else who should be voted in as a starter for the west. Definitely not worthy of a start.

Now the Western Conference was not really over the top out of control, three of the players should definitely be starting, with Carmelo worthy but maybe just not the best option. Yao is a mistake to be starting, but given that eight of the 10 players voted in collectively were the absolute right choices, you have to say that the fans did a good job for the most part.