From Dennis Velasco,
Your Guide to Basketball.
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Every week during the NBA season, a cast of the top NBA bloggers on the internet will join About.com to answer the top several questions on the minds of NBA fans. So read the expert words of these bloggers on trades, injuries, team analysis, off-the-court issues and anything else that makes the NBA world go round.

The Regulars

• Atma Brother #1 of Golden State of Mind
• Dave of Blazers Edge
• Mike Prada of Bullets Forever
• Ryan McNeill of HoopsAddict.com
• Tom of Cornrows

The Guest

• Ron Chow of Dropping Dimes

WHICH PLAYERS WERE SNUBBED FROM THE ALL-STAR GAME?

Atma Brother #1: Numbers-wise Carmelo Anthony and Michael Redd deserve to make the squad. However, one key number that's preventing them from making the squad is games played. I don't fault the coaches for not giving them the nod.

But I do fault the coaches for snubbing Baron Davis and Josh Howard. NBA coaches must really want to see Eva Longoria at All Star weekend because there's plenty of reasons why Boom Dizzle and JoHo (nickname coined here!) should make the squad before Tony Paker. Maybe the coaches didn't realize that putting BD on the squad guarantees Jessica Alba at the All Star festivities?

Dave: Two things make me guffaw about all this. The first is sanctimonious sportscasters who insist that only players from winning teams should make the squad. Miami, Minnesota, and New Jersey are below .500. Denver and Orlando are barely above. Vince Carter was an All-Star in losing seasons and Kobe would go no matter where the Lakers finished. The system works like this - everybody who's known by their first name and has a billion dollar shoe contract gets to go first, then if your team is high profile you can have the leftovers. Otherwise forget it.

Also eliciting chuckles are all of the fans who think that getting a marginal All-Star nod will bring more respect to their team. If your guy's anywhere south of number seven on the roster his All-Star experience will consist of one shot and two rebounds in five courtesy second quarter minutes, during which time the camera will be on LeBron James as the network interviews him from the bench via their fancy new jock strap mic. Nobody will remember your guy was there except you and his mama. If you were worried even for an instant about whether your player would get in this applies to you... even more so if his name appeared in the same sentence with the "s" word this week. It's much ado about nothing.

That said, if you press me I'd say Elton Brand, Ray Allen, and Michael Redd all deserve consideration, but probably won't make it.

Mike: I actually think they did a pretty good job this year, but there are certainly some with legitimate cases. I'd say in the East, it's either Luol Deng or Ben Gordon. Chicago's one of the best teams in the East, and they should have had a representative. I'd probably go with Deng, because it's crazy that the East team has six guards and only four forwards. Put in Deng and take out Chauncey Billups, who hasn't been all that incredible this season.

Out West, I think Melo needs to go; he's leading the league in scoring for crying out loud. Tony Parker isn't even having his best season, so I don't know why he's there. Also, Josh Howard probably got jobbed, for the simple reason that there's no way the Mavericks, the best team in the league, should get only one All-Star.

Ryan: Without a doubt it was Carmelo Anthony. I understand that some of his choices have tainted his image, but this could mark the first time that the leading scorer didn't play in the All-Star game. Throw in the fact that he was recently named USA Basketball's player of the year and it's baffling as to why he was left off the Western Conference roster.

Tom: Seems wrong for Carmelo to be snubbed due to his suspension if the league is willing to invite Nate Robinson to the Slam Dunk contest on All-Star Weekend.

Ron: I think the one star in the the East that got no love was Atlanta's Joe Johnson. He leads the Hawks in points (25.7), assists (4.2), FG% (48.1) and 3 point% (39.3). In the West, Carmelo Anthony leads the league in scoring and he is not part of the All-Star game?!?! That seems a little harsh for his "Punch & Run" stunt.

WHO DESERVES TO TAKE YAO MING AND CARLOS BOOZER'S SPOTS FOR THE WEST SINCE THEY ARE UNABLE TO PLAY DUE TO INJURY?

Atma Brother #1: Baron Davis and Josh Howard. Who cares if they aren't big men? This is an exhibition game for the fans. Boom Dizzle and JoHo are fun players with great nicknames. They're FAN-tastic!

Dave: Personally I'd take Brand and Carmelo, but I bet Josh Howard makes it instead of Elton.

Mike: The two guys that got snubbed, Carmelo Anthony and Josh Howard, have to be the first to be considered. But I would also consider Mehmet Okur, who's quietly having a really great year for the Jazz. Utah's been one of the best teams in the game and they should get at least one more All-Star. Still, I'd go with Carmelo and Howard.

Ron: Carmelo Anthony will be added but he might feel a little dissed that he was not originally on the team. Can't go wrong with Elton Brand as a fill-in either.