Stephen Curry leads NBA All-Star starters

John Wall, Washington Wizards: This will be the 24-year-old Wall's second All-Star Game appearance and his first time starting. The honor is well deserved. Wall leads the NBA in assists per game and he's right among the league's leaders in steals, too, all while scoring more than 17 points per game and shooting a career best 45 percent from the field. He's been the Wizard's best player this season and the main reason the team is in the running for the Eastern Conference's top seed.

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors: The All-Star Game drought is finally over for Lowry a year after being one of the event's biggest snubs. Better yet, a late push by Raptors' broadcasters and Justin Bieber propelled Lowry to the starting lineup over All-Star mainstay Dwyane Wade. Lowry's addition is a no-brainer given the role that the point guard has played in Toronto's ascendance over the past year-plus. Lowry is averaging 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds per game and is easily playing the largest offensive role of his career. He kept Toronto afloat when DeMar DeRozan, last year's All-Star, missed time due to injury. For all that, he's been rewarded with a starting berth.

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: James hasn't played at the dominant level we've grown accustomed to seeing, but he remains one of, if not the best, basketball players in the world. He's third in the league in scoring and hitting 49 percent of his shots. He's been especially good since returning from a two-week absence due to various aches and pains and is beginning to carry Cleveland up the Eastern Conference standings. Granted, James' PER hasn't been this low since the 2006-2007 season and he hasn't scored this few points per game since his rookie year, but the All-Star honor is still deserved. James was named M.V.P. of the 2005-06 and 2007-08 All-Star games.

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks: It's been an ugly season for Anthony, the Knicks and New York basketball fans in general. This year's All-Star Game, which will be played in Madison Square Garden, might serve as the lone bright spot of the year for all three of these parties. (Some even believe the only reason Anthony hasn't been shut down for the season with a knee injury is so he can be there while his city hosts the game). Anthony is producing at his usual level when he's played, though he's missed time with a troublesome knee injury. The Knicks, however, have struggled with Phil Jackson's triangle offense while simultaneously falling apart on defense. They have the worst record in the NBA and seem destined for a top-three draft pick this offseason.

Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls: After a rough end to his Lakers career, the 34-year-old Gasol has enjoyed a renaissance in his first season in Chicago. He's the best low post scorer the Bulls have had in years and his presence is a major reason why the team, despite both Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah missing some time this year with injuries, was still in contention for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed before a recent rough patch. Gasol is playing 35 minutes per contest and has played in all but two games this season. This will be his fifth All-Star Game appearance.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: (Top vote getter) There's not a player more deserving of an All-Star spot than Curry, the best player on the NBA's best team. Curry's numbers are ridiculous. He's shooting 49 percent from the field, 93 percent from the free-throw line and 39 percent on three-pointers, of which he's attempting nearly eight a game. He's got a PER of 27, the fourth highest mark in the league. This will only be Curry's second All-Star Game appearance, but we can expect the 26-year-old to be a fixture in the game going forward.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: Based on this season alone, Bryant is the least deserving of this group, but that's how fan voting goes. This will be Bryant's 16th All-Star Game, and he's won the game's MVP award four times. Bryant is putting up points for the hapless Lakers, but his shooting percentages have been poor and he's missed time recently with various injuries. He's doing far more than anyone his age should and remains a big draw for the game itself, but he also is pushing out players like James Harden, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook and Klay Thompson, all of whom are having better seasons. Bryant was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff the day the starters were announced, so an injury replacement -- likely Harden -- figures to take his spot.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans: It's been a breakout season for the 21-year-old Davis, who will be playing in his second All-Star Game. Davis is leading the NBA in PER (31) and blocks (2.9), all while averaging 24 and 10 on 56 percent shooting. None of that takes into account the myriad highlight dunks and blocks he's had this year. Davis was always expected to become one of the NBA's best players, but no one expected he'd be there this quickly. Davis has also kept the the Pelicans in the playoff hunt despite playing in the brutal Western Conference.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers: Griffin earns his fifth straight All-Star Game appearance despite taking a step back on the court this season. The 25-year-old remains one of the best big men in the game, but his rise has finally stagnated during his fifth year with the Clippers. He's taking too many jump shots and struggling to make the same impact in the paint that made him an MVP candidate last year. That shouldn't matter too much for the purposes of the exhibition, though, which is tailor-made for his high-flying talents.

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies: One of the game's best defensive players for years, Gasol has finally taken the next step as a two-way star this season. The voters noticed, handing the Grizzlies' center his first All-Star starting gig two years after winning Defensive Player of the Year. Gasol has been a big part of the success in Memphis this season, taking on a larger scoring and passing load and leading Memphis to its best offensive performance in years. This hasn't been the Grizzlies' best defensive effort in recent memory, but Gasol is still deserving for his exceptional two-way performance.