NBA All-Star East Roster Dominated By Celtics, Heat

The 2011 NBA Eastern Conference All-Stars feature four members of the Boston Celtics and three players from the Miami Heat, with those two teams currently fighting for the East’s top seed. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of Miami will be starters, with Chris Bosh and the Boston four -- Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen -- coming off the bench.

Here’s a full rundown of the East roster in order of star power and, thus, awesomeness.

LeBron James, Heat. LeBron is making his seventh All-Star appearance. As much of the nation is apparently desperately hoping he’ll be denied a third straight league MVP award, he could use a dominant All-Star performance. Turn hate into haterade!

Amar’e Stoudemire, Knicks. The Knicks’ first All-Star since Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell should do wonders for the game’s ratings in NYC. No offense to Raymond Felton, but running a pick-and-roll with Derrick Rose should do wonders for the game’s excitement level, too.

Derrick Rose, Bulls. Speaking of Rose, the Bulls’ star, in his second straight All-Star Game, looks to continue his rise with a memorable night in Hollywood. He’s the only Bull in the game, and thus is required to avenge the reputations of his spurned teammates like Keith Bogans and Taj Gibson.

Dwyane Wade, Heat. The top vote-getter among guards, Wade will look to create magic with his buddy LeBron, though it would seem unlikely they could top a 90-foot alley-oop. (Maybe go reverse, King James?)

Rajon Rondo, Celtics. Cynics would argue that Rondo has more All-Star experience than anyone, given that he’s effectively spent all but the rookie year of his career playing on one. Rondo is the game’s most selfless passer, but will he share the ball with rivals like LeBron, Wade and Bosh? Admit it, you want to see Rondo gunning threes all night long.

Chris Bosh, Heat. The greatest running subplot of the All-Star Game will be how Bosh and Kevin Garnett get along. I predict “not well.”

Kevin Garnett, Celtics. K.G. is usually an All-Star dud, but he seems to be getting more and more unglued as his career progresses. Fingers crossed he treats this exhibition like a playoff game.

Dwight Howard, Magic. Solid post moves and suffocating defense have no place in an All-Star Game, but at least Howard will have more fun than ...

Al Horford, Hawks. ... who is both the most deserving reserve and the least likely to crack a single smile.

Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, Celtics. Either could go on a scoring streak, but I have a feeling Doc Rivers will keep his bullets -- dinged-up Pierce, especially -- in the chamber.

Joe Johnson, Hawks. J.J. once shot 0-7 in an All-Star Game. He could shot 0-14 and I’m not sure anyone would really take note.