NBA Players that Should Be in the 2009 All Star Game

Every single season in the NBA you see the same famous faces playing in the NBA All Star Game. Some of these guys deserve to go every year like the reigning NBA MVP Kobe Bryant or the Cleveland Cavaliers manchild LeBron James, but then there are the other players that can't get any of the spotlight in the shadows of the best and brightest in the league.

It is not that these players can't compete against the best in the NBA, but rather that they are always thought as second tier players or they tend to fly under the radar because the superstars are always the players people want to see.

There are a few players this season that definitely deserve some recognition for their efforts, here are the players I think should in playing in Phoenix on All Star weekend:

Eastern Conference

Point Guard

Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets

Although getting traded from a contending team like the Dallas Mavericks is never something that young player wants to happen, it seems that it was a blessing in disguise for Harris who is shaping up to be one of the best point guards in the East after being traded to the lowly New Jersey Nets for future hall of famer Jason Kidd.

Reserves: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls; Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic; Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics; Mo Williams

Shooting Guard

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

After being arguably the best player on the Redeem Team this summer and convincingly winning the gold medal alongside Kobe and LeBron, D-Wade hasn't slowed down one bit leading his revamped Heat squad out of the mediocrity in the East conference to contenders once again.

Reserves: Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks; Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons; Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets

Small Forward

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

No one and I mean no one has played better this season than King James! LeBron has seemed like a man possessed leading his Cavs to the top of the East and to an amazing undefeated record at home thus far. If the MVP voting were to end today there would contest as LeBron would win hands down!

Reserves: Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers; Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics; Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic

Power Forward

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

During the first half of the season the Celtics were without a doubt the best team in the East and in the NBA, but after a disappointing loss to Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas day the Celtics have stumbled a little bit, but KG has stayed at the top of his game with his competitive fire and enthusiasm.

Reserves: Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors; Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Center

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

There hasn't been a real dominant center in the NBA since Shaq back in his heyday with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Howard has been unbelievable over the past couple seasons transforming into an absolute monster in the middle by dominating the paint being a match up nightmare for all opposing centers.

Reserves: David Lee, New York Knicks; Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons

Western Conference

Point Guard

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Although there are a lot of talented point guards in the West nowadays, there is absolutely no comparison to CP3. He has everything a coach wants in a point guard, he can dish, score and play lockdown defense.

Reserves: Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets; Deron Williams, Utah Jazz; Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns; Jordan Farmar, Los Angeles Lakers

Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

There will be no other player starting at shooting guard position in the West until Kobe either gets traded to the East or retires and for good reason as he is still playing at an MVP caliber.

Reserves: Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers; OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzles; Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers

Small Forward

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Melo probably won't be the starter, one because he is injured and two because Kevin Durant might have the edge in the voting, but no forward is more deserves in the West than Anthony. Who would have thought that the best thing that could have happened to the Nuggets and Melo was Allen Iverson getting traded.

Reserves: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder; Trevor Ariza, Los Angeles Lakers; Al Thorton, Los Angeles Clippers

Power Forward

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

This is a little bias on my part due to being a Lakers fan, but Pau has played brilliantly alongside Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. Coming into this season everyone expect Bynum to be the second option or the next rising star in LA, but it has turned out to be Gasol instead.

Reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers; Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Center

Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Much like Kobe, Yao will be the starter at center in the West for a long, long time due to having an entire country on his side and in his pocket. Although he will be the starter even if he didn't play a single minute in the season due to injury, Yao is without a doubt the best center in the West.

Reserves: Shaq, Phoenix Suns; Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers; Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves; Nene, Denver Nuggets