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Dec. 27, 2007 -- Balloting for NBA All-Star 2008 is under way and to keep you abreast of whom you might want to send to NOLA in February, NBA.com will break down all six positions -- East guards, forwards and centers, and West guards, forwards and centers -- over the coming weeks.
Today's Ballot Breakdown covers the Western Conference forwards, ranked statistically (by the sum total of their scoring, rebounding and assist averages). Carmelo Anthony was atop the voting leaderboard, just ahead of Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki after the second returns, but it's the fourth name on that list who's dominating the numbers game -- Carlos Boozer's combined PRA of 39.3 is well ahead of second-place Anthony (35.7).
But perhaps you think some other guys deserve the love as you vote daily. Read on and decide for yourself who deserves to make the trip to New Orleans for the 2008 All-Star Game on February 17. (Note: All statistics are through games played on December 26.)
Averages: 24.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.2 APG; Total PRA: 39.3
Breakdown: Boozer, who's averaging more than 20 points and 11 rebounds for a second consecutive season, is third in the league in PRA, trailing only LeBron James and Dwight Howard. Even without the requisite swell in voting support, he's likely to earn a berth as a reserve.
Averages: 25.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.7 APG; Total PRA: 35.7
Breakdown: Melo's a proven top-five scorer in the L, and he's above 24 points per for a third consecutive season. He's unlikely to be displaced atop the voting leaderboard, though Dirk or TD could make a run.
Averages: 21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.0 APG; Total PRA: 34.1
Breakdown: Though Nowitzki's scoring numbers are down from last year's MVP season, his assist totals are up, and he's still contributing a healthy line across the board. He and Duncan are in a tight race to determine the second forward in the West.
Averages: 20.3 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 1.5 APG; Total PRA: 34.1
Breakdown: Replacing Kevin Garnett is no easy task, but Big Al is working hard in Minnesota. Taking advantage of a post-centric offense, Jefferson's averaging more than 20 points per game for the first time in his career, and rebounding at a rate that proves he's hungry like a (Timber)wolf.
Averages: 18.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.9 APG; Total PRA: 30.8
Breakdown: Playing the fewest minutes of his career (31.8), Duncan is maintaining averages right around his career numbers, and the Spurs are maintaining their winning ways. And after a late eligibility switch from center, Duncan has surged past Dirk to claim second place in the fan vote.
Averages: 21.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 APG; Total PRA: 30.7
Breakdown: Howard's scoring average has increased three points each season he's been in the L, a trend that has him above the 20-point-per plateau for the first time in five seasons. Shooting a career-high .491 from the field, Howard's continued improvement has ensured Dallas will remain a power player in the West.
Averages: 18.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.2 APG; Total PRA: 29.7
Breakdown: Likely the NBA's most underrated player (until everyone catches on and he becomes "overrated" for being so "underrated"), West is averaging more than 18 points and nine rebounds per, after putting up 18 and eight in an injury-shortened 52-game season in 2006-07.
Averages: 19.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.3 APG; Total PRA: 29.4
Breakdown: If you're looking for a player who can stuff a stat sheet like a Christmas stocking, Artest is your man. He's working hard to keep the Kings afloat despite injuries to Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin, and is a big reason the Kings have played .500 ball after starting the year 3-8.
Averages: 20.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.6 APG; Total PRA: 29.3
Breakdown: With Elton Brand sidelined til the other side of the ASG, Maggette's been shouldering the scoring load for the Clip show, and doing it by shooting a three-point percentage (.347) he's only topped once in his career. He's also hitting the boards at a career-high rate of 6.4 per contest.
Shawn Marion, Phoenix
Averages: 16.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.9 APG; Total PRA: 28.5
Rudy Gay, Memphis
Averages: 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG; Total PRA: 26.8
Kevin Durant, Seattle
Averages: 20.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.1 APG; Total PRA: 26.5
Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
Averages: 14.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.2 APG; Total PRA: 25.1
Grant Hill, Phoenix
Averages: 15.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.6 APG; Total PRA: 24.0
Averages: 15.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.1 APG; Total PRA: 23.6
Breakdown: After a few years in Philly, Salmons joined the Kings, and began to blossom coming off the bench last season. But he's improved even further this season, nearly doubling his scoring average, and shooting almost 50 percent from the floor (.492) and the three-point line (.488). He's the top PRA man not already on the ballot.
Shane Battier, Houston; Bruce Bowen, San Antonio; Nick Collison, Seattle; Al Harrington, Golden State;
