An Early All-Star Game Preview

It's early in the season, but, so far, this year's all-star game could signal a significant change in generations, as numerous previously unheralded players are making strong cases for all-star consideration.

In the Western Conference, if Utah continues at its torrid pace, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer would warrant starting positions at PG and PF respectively. Yao Ming is dominating at center for Houston. Denver's Carmelo Anthony and Seattle's Rashard Lewis merit consideration at SF and Sacramento's Kevin Martin is battling perennial all-star Kobe Bryant at SG.

Portland's Zach Randolph is certainly deserving of his first All-Star appearance, but in addition to Boozer, he faces stiff competition from perennial all-stars Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitski and Kevin Garnett, not to mention Elton Brand, Lamar Odom and Shawn Marion. In the back court, two-time MVP Steve Nash is a shoe-in, but New Orleans Chris Paul, Golden State's Baron Davis and San Antonio's Tony Parker also deserve consideration at the point. On the wing, Seattle's Ray Allen is as steady as ever.

In the Eastern Conference, an even greater change is taking shape, though primarily at the post position where a couple young stars appear poised to lock down All-Star appearances for the next ten years. Orlando's Dwight Howard, Toronto's Chris Bosh and Charlotte's Emeka Okafur are playing the post better than anyone in the conference. Michael Redd, Paul Pierce and Vince Carter are the stand-bys on the wing, while Jason Kidd and Jameer Nelson are running the point as well as anyone. Of course, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James are shoe-ins and Gilbert Arenas will not be denied at the All-Star game. Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton and Allen Iverson are hard to ignore, but so is Atlanta's Joe Johnson.

Western Conference Starters
PG Deron Williams
SG Kevin Martin
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Carlos Boozer
C Yao Ming

Eastern Conference Starters
PG Jason Kidd
SG Michael Redd
SF LeBron James
PF Chris Bosh
C Dwight Howard

Western Conference Reserves
C Tim Duncan
PF Dirk Nowitski
PF Zach Randolph
SF Lamar Odom
SF Rashard Lewis
PG Chris Paul
PG Baron Davis*
*Subject to change if and when Phoenix goes on a roll and/or Baron Davis gets hurt.

Eastern Conference Reserves
C Emeka Okafur
F Paul Pierce
F Vince Carter
G Joe Johnson
G Dwayne Wade
G Gilbert Arenas
PG Jameer Nelson

Interesting that the interior positions are much deeper and tougher to decide in the Western Conference (no KG?), while the wings are much deeper in the Eastern Conference (no Rip Hamilton or Allen Iverson?) and the points are fairly evenly distributed (no Chauncey Billups or Steve Nash).

Again, this is just a preview based on the first ten games. Still a lot of basketball to be played before we can get serious about All-Star talk. However, if the All-Star weekend shapes up anything like the above predictions, it will be a wild weekend in Vegas with so many young, up and coming stars sharing the stage with so many still young established stars.