The West lead early in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. Despite a late run by the East, the West was able to take home a 148-143 victory. The West was led by Kobe Bryant's game-high 37 points and game-high 14 rebounds. For his efforts, Kobe Bryant was the MVP of this year's affair.

Kobe Bryant got help from young stud Kevin Durant, who poured in 34 points on 23 shot attempts.

After all the hub-bub the announcement was a little less than "major", but it was nice none-the-less. Major League Soccer will be returning to the New York/New Jersey area for the 2011 All-Star Game. Harrison, NJ and the shiny, almost-new Red Bull Arena will host world super club TBA on July 27th.

The 2011 NBA All-Star Game is beginning to take shape. On Thursday, the NBA announced the starting lineups. Though there is no huge snub in either conference, it is notable that neither conference's best team (the Boston Celtics in the East and the San Antonio Spurs in the West) has a representative in the All-Star game starting lineup.

The 2010-11 NBA All-Star Game takes place in February. Let's take an early look at the Eastern Conference All-Star roster and the Western Conference All-Star roster. Who should make the big game? Here is the official EveryJoe projection of the NBA All-Star rosters:

Western Conference All-Star Roster

STARTERS
C Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
F Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers

RESERVES
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

Eastern Conference All-Star Roster

STARTERS
C Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
F Amare Stoudemire, New York Knicks
F LeBron James, Miami Heat
G Dwyane Wade, Miam Heat
G Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

RESERVES
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Raymond Felton, New York Knicks

Post from: EveryJoe