The All-Star reserves: some Celtics and who else?

It seems like just yesterday that the Celtics tipped off their season in Madison Square Garden. Actually, yesterday isn't that far off. The NBA has been back less than two months, and All-Star voting is already over. The NBA All-Star Game is happening, whether it makes sense or not.

The Eastern Conference's starters--picked by the fans--are Chicago's Derrick Rose, Miami's Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, Orlando's (for the time being) Dwight Howard and New York's Carmelo Anthony. The seven reserves, selected by coaches, will be announced Thursday, and some Celtics should be included. Here are my picks for the Eastern Conference reserves:

Guards:
Rajon Rondo, BOS- Yes, Rondo missed eight of the team's 24 games, but he's been a force when healthy. Rondo leads the conference in assists per 40 minutes (10.6), and his free throw attempts (4.9 per game) are the highest of his career.

Joe Johnson, ATL- The Hawks looked dead in the water when Al Horford tore his pectoral muscle Jan. 11, but Johnson's 21.5 points per game since the injury helped Atlanta go 9-2 in that span. The Hawks are 11-1 when Johnson scores at least 20 points, and he's fifth in the conference among guards from beyond the arc (38.3 percent).

Forwards:
Paul Pierce, BOS- When it comes to small forwards in the NBA, Pierce is in the class of James and Anthony. He is third among small forwards in the East in points per 40 minutes (22.2) and free throw attempts (7.3). Pierce is also dishing the ball as good as anyone at his position. His 6.6 assists per 40 minutes is second in the league behind James.

Chris Bosh, MIA- Bosh has been the constant for the Heat this season when both Wade and James missed time. During Wade's nine-game absence, Bosh helped lead the team to an 8-1 record. He has scored 20 points or more 11 times, including four games of at least 30. His 21.6 points per 40 minutes are tops among Eastern Conference power forwards.

Center
Roy Hibbert, IND- He has career highs in points (13.8), rebounds (9.8) and blocks (1.9) per game, and his shooting percentage from 3-9 feet (53.5 percent) is the best among East centers. Hibbert's been a big reason the Pacers are fourth in the conference standings.

Wild Cards
Kyrie Irving, CLE- This year's top draft pick has been the best player (18 ppg, 5.1 apg) on a Cleveland squad that's a half game out of a playoff spot. Irving's efficiency rating is second to Rose in terms of East point guards. Per 40 minutes, Irving's true shooting percentage (57.7) is behind only Mario Chalmers and Steve Nash for tops among all NBA point guards.


Andre Iguodala, PHI- The 76ers have been one of the big surprises in the league this year, and they're only two games out of first place in the East. If anyone on the team deserves an All-Star spot, it's Iguodala. His offensive numbers (13.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.0 apg) are pedestrian, but they're balanced. He makes his mark on the defensive end. His 2.68 defensive plays per game (blocks, steals and charges) are second to James among East small forwards, and his 1.76 steals per game are the most among East swingmen.

If we'd had a normal half-season to evaluate, this list may have been completely different, but this is the season we have. On Thursday, the All-Star teams will be rounded out with players, whether they deserve it or not.