a question after game #5:

With this morning's release of the 2012 NBA All-Star Ballot, the time is here for fans to make their 'All-Star Guarantee' predictions. For example:

Guy sitting in the booth next to you at Chang's Mongolian Grill: The Blazers will have two All-Stars this season - I guarantee it. You agree, right?

His friend: I heard they weren't having an All-Star game this year.

Guy at the restaurant: Yes they are, you idiot. (Nodding your head in agreement.) LA and Wallace will both make their first All-Star game. Mark. My. Words!

You: Excuse me, may I borrow your bottle of Sriracha? Thanks. First of all, Wallace was an All-Star in 2010 when he averaged 18 and 10 for the Bobcats (even though he didn't crack the top ten in votes for Eastern Conference forwards - thanks coaches). Now that he's in the West, whose spot does he take? Let's look at the Western Conference All-Star forwards for last season: Durant, Carmelo, Duncan (injury replacement), Dirk, Griffin, Pau (as a Center), and Love.

Well, we can scratch Carmelo off the list and move him over to the Eastern Conference. Duncan's selection to replace Yao was more of a lifetime achievement award than a reward for his stellar play last season. Scratch him off. Assuming all stay healthy, I think it's safe to Sharpie in Durant, Dirk, Griffin, and Love. So who replaces Duncan? Now that Z-Bo is out with the knee injury, it's LA's spot to lose.

But with the promise of injuries (and vets becoming 'injured' to get the maximum amount of rest time, even if they are selected), can we assume another Western Conference forward spot becomes availabe? Would it shock you if an 'injury' allowed Dirk to rest his 33 year-old knees? Probably not. Does Wallace get that spot, should it become available? Not necessarily. Bynum will be an All-Star, taking Pau's spot at reserve Center and most likely pushing Pau into the now vacant forward spot. But if Pau doesn't dazzle (he hasn't exactly done so yet), the spot could be up for grabs between Gay, Scola, Gallinari, and Wallace.

With Deron Williams now in the East and Manu out with a broken bone in his hand, there could be at least two additional guard spots available as well...

Guy at the restaurant: Felton! Matthews! Crawford! Five Blazer All-Stars!

You: Place the Sriracha back on his table and slowly back away. Lingering too long could entice him into describing how the Blazers will go 65-1 if they are able to avoid major injuries.