Should be interesting, as Yao's going to need an injury replacement.
Top candidates...
- Nene. Definitely making some noise lately, smart player.
- Andrew Bynum. Probably one of the only Western centers capable of matching Howard for strength. Currently 2nd in the Western All Star voting for centers.
- Al Jefferson. Has done pretty well all season, particularly early on.
- Tyson Chandler. See Al Jefferson.
I think they're the leading candidates, and as an LA fan, I hope Bynum gets it.
If the All Star game were a true representation of All Stars, then I wouldn't be of that opinion - given Bynum's lack of play this season... but history (especially recent history) has made it clear that it's more "for the fans" than any true indication of who's playing well this season.
http://with-malice.com/ - The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic in Japan