Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
January 18, 2008, Washington Post

NBA Has a New Galaxy of Stars

Next week the National Basketball Association will announce the starters for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. The fans vote for the starters, and of course they are voting for familiar superstars Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dwyane Wade.

Don't get me wrong, those players are terrific. But this season other players also are doing some serious rebounding, passing and scoring. These new stars might not be as well-known as Shaq, LeBron or Kobe -- whom fans recognize by first name only -- but they are plenty good.

Let's take a look at the new stars of the NBA.

Point guards: Chris Paul, the super-quick guard for New Orleans, is one reason the Hornets are creating a buzz around the league. Paul scores more than 21 points per game, dishes out more than 10 assists and leads the league in steals. Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns still might be the best point guard in the NBA, but Chris Paul is coming up fast. And that's how Paul does everything -- fast !

Two other point guards almost as good as Paul are Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz and Baron Davis of the Golden State Warriors.

Shooting guards: Joe Johnson does exactly what a shooting guard should -- he shoots and he scores. Johnson is pouring in about 22 points a game while playing heavy minutes for the improved Atlanta Hawks. Out in Portland, Brandon Roy doesn't score quite as much as Johnson, but this second-year player for the surprising Portland Trail Blazers has an all-around game that is special.

Small forwards: If the Wizards' Caron Butler does not make the East All-Star team, Washington fans should demand a recount. With Gilbert Arenas out with a knee injury, Butler has been Mr. Everything for the Wizards. He is scoring, rebounding and playing hard-nosed defense.

Dirk Nowitzki is the big name on the Dallas Mavericks, but Josh Howard scores almost as many points and is a better defender and passer.

Power forwards: Folks make a big deal when a player scores a double-double by getting 10 or more points and rebounds in the same game. Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz is averaging a double-double for the season, with more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Centers: All-star voters have found Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. How could you miss him? At 6 feet 11 and 265 muscular pounds, he is unstoppable near the basket. Howard is the NBA's new Shaquille O'Neal, now that Shaq is slowing down.

Tyson Chandler of New Orleans and Al Jefferson of the Minnesota Timberwolves are not quite in Howard's class, but these two big guys can rebound with anyone.

All of these players might not be named to the big game on Feb. 17, but they are performing like all-stars.

Fred Bowen writes KidsPost's sports opinion column and is an author of sports novels for kids.

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