NBA Insiders: The All-Star breakdown

We have asked our panel of NBA experts to look back at the first half of the NBA season as well as look ahead and predict All-Star Saturday winners.

They give their answers on everything from the NBA MVP, Slam Dunk Champion and which NBA team has been the biggest suprise of the season below.

Who is your MVP so far?

Michael Grange said, "LeBron James. A perfect meshing of talent and basketball intellect."

Paul Jones said, "LeBron James. He is the best player on the planet and much to the chagrin of NBA coaches, there isn't a player in the league over which he doesn't possess an advantage."

Tom Liston said, "Kevin Durant. Number of players in the history of the NBA with >52% FG%, >42% 3pt FG% and >90% FT%: Four. Highest true shooting percentage, rebounds and WS/48 of those players? KD."

Kevin Nielsen said, "Kevin Durant. Has taken game to next level in the absence of James Harden this season."

Evan Rosser said, "LeBron James. Only player ever to average 27 points, eight boards and 6.5 assists while shooting 56 percent from the floor."

Who is your Coach of the year?

Michael Grange said, "Gregg Popovich. Has a complete team concept; rests his stars and still wins nearly every night. Amazing."

Paul Jones said, "Vinny Del Negro. He has the Clippers sitting with the fourth-best record in the entire NBA. "

Holly Mackenzie said, "Frank Vogel. The Pacers have taken a huge step this season and their coach has been a big reason, getting everyone to buy in."

Ryan McNeill said, "Mark Jackson: Raise your hand if you thought Golden State would be fighting for home court in the first round of the playoffs. If your hand's up you're a liar."

Kevin Nielsen said, "Doc Rivers. Team seems to lose a player on a weekly basis yet the Celtics are still a playoff contender."

Eric Smith said, "Mike Woodson. In spite of injuries (some lengthy) to Camby, Wallace, Felton and Stoudemire the Knicks are #2 in the East."

Dave Zarum said, "Gregg Popovich. I mean, really, this is getting a bit ridiculous."

Who is your Defensive player of the year?

Michael Grange said, "Kawhi Leonard. Pops compared him to Bruce Bowen the other day, which tells you everything."

Paul Jones said, "Joakim Noah. He's a guy that anchors one of the best defenses in the league so give it to the big man from the Bulls."

Tom Liston said, " Larry Sanders. Top 5 in defensive adjusted statistical plus/minus, first in blocks per game, on court defensive point per 100 possessions: 100.6 versus off court: 108.9.."

Ryan McNeill said, "Avery Bradley. What he's done for the Celtics is truly amazing. His defence is a big reason why Celtics have won seven straight games."

Eric Smith said, "LeBron James. It seems like every coach, opposing player, member of the media and fan says "this guy can guard four if not all five positions". If that's true (and I believe it is), it's time for everyone to put their money where their mouth is and give the man THIS award too."

Dave Zarum said, "Joakim Noah. Monster numbers aside, Noah's defense is keeping the Roseless Bulls in contention for 2nd in the East."

Who is your most improved player of the year?

Michael Grange said, "LeBron James: It's crazy to say James is most improved, but how many other all-stars have made such significant leaps in shooting percentage and 3-point shooting percentage? Turnover percentage down too."

Tom Liston said, "Greivis Vasquez. 2012/13 vs 2011/12 -- PER: 16.9 vs 14.2, PPG 14.7 vs 12.4, APG 9.4 (third in the league) vs 5.4, RPG 4.8 (for a guard!) vs 3.4, 3 pt FG% 36.2% vs 31.9%."

Holly Mackenzie said, "Paul George. Greivis Vasquez is right there, but George has been so, so good this season."

Kevin Nielsen said, "Serge Ibaka. While he has always been a force on his own end of the floor, his offence has seemed more polished this season."

Evan Rosser said, "Paul George. Up 5.5 points, 2.2 boards and 1.6 assists a season over last year while playing better D."

Who will win the Dunk Contest?

Paul Jones said, "Gerald Green. The Indiana high-flyer has shown his imagination in the past and may just do it again."

Holly Mackenzie said, "Terrence Ross. (or? James White, but rolling with the kid repping Toronto)."

Evan Rosser said, "Terrence Ross. Ross skies, can draw on DeRozan's past gimmick-less inventiveness and I'm a homer."

Eric Smith said, "Terrence Ross. That's if the contest is judged by those looking at athleticism and actual DUNKING ability. If it gets into props and theatrics again (which I don't really like), I'm not sure that Ross' quiet/reserved demeanor will play-up to the cameras enough."

Dave Zarum said, "James White. He says, no preparation, he has four '50's in his back pocket ready to go. Based on his resume, I think he's being modest."

Who will win the three-point challenge?

Michael Grange said, "Steph Curry is the best shooter since Steve Kerr."

Tom Liston said, "Steph Curry. Accuracy with a quick release."

Holly Mackenzie said, "Steph Curry. The second coming of Jesus Shuttlesworth."

Ryan McNeill said, "Ryan Anderson. Gotta love it when a guy that is nearly seven feet can stroke it like he can."

Evan Rosser said, "If I was betting: Steph Curry. But based on the role ballsiness tends to play: Kyrie Irving."

Eric Smith said, " I admit my bias. Personally, I just want to see him win because I know he's been dying to be in this event for years."

Who will win the skills competition?

Paul Jones said, "Tony Parker is a defending champion and may still be one of the quickest in the league but let's go with Jrue Holiday."

Tom Liston said, "Michael Grange. Or Tony Parker."

Holly Mackenzie said, "Dame Lillard. Because, why not? It's been his year thus far."

Ryan McNeill said, "Tony Parker."

Kevin Nielsen said, "Jrue Holiday. Lightning-quick guard is pretty smooth on the floor."

Dave Zarum said, "Damian Lillard. Call it a hunch. More importantly, I think Dikembe Mutombo is going to be the MVP of the Celebrity game. "

What team is your biggest surprise this season?

Tom Liston said, "New York Knicks. Stoudemire out actually helped this team - and now coming off the bench works."

Holly Mackenzie said, "Los Angeles Lakers. Who would have ever thought?"

Ryan McNeill said, "Denver. 17 of their first 23 games were on the road and they are sniffing at home court in the first round of the playoffs."

Kevin Nielsen said, "Boston. Seventh in the East would have been disapointing to start the season but with their injuries it is impressive now."

Evan Rosser said, "Golden State. If they can stay healthy and get their D back on track they'll be dangerous in the post-season. ."

Eric Smith said, "Los Angeles Lakers. I had them as the favourites for the championship. I'm shocked at how average they look on most nights. ."

Dave Zarum said, "Golden State. Talent has always been there, but good to see it coming together. A healthy Bogut makes the Warriors a playoff sleeper"

What team is your biggest disappointment this season?

Paul Jones said, "The Los Angeles Lakers incarnation of the Big Three has never taken flight. If they miss the playoffs, there will be more theories and extra finger pointing."

Kevin Nielsen said, "Toronto Raptors. I didn't expect them to be a lock to make the playoffs but I didn;t think they would be this far off .500 either."

Evan Rosser said, "Minnesota. They could subtitle this season 'Injuries and Wasted Potential.'"

Eric Smith said, "Los Angeles Lakers. From the firing of Mike Brown to the hiring of Mike D'Antoni ? to Dwight Howard's "drama" continuing in LA, Pau Gasol's role, Steve Nash's injury and much more ? the Lakers have been a huge letdown."

Dave Zarum said, "Minnesota. Obviously it's more a case of injuries than it is poor play (although there's been enough of that, too)."

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Source: http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2013/02/15/nba_insider_allstar_breakdown/?utm_source=Home%20Lineup%20RSS&utm_medium=feed&utm_content=NBA%20Insiders:%20The%20All-Star%20breakdown

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