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5 Players Who Might Actually Play Defense In the 2015 NBA All-Star Game

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By @ShaneRantSports

5 Players Who Might Actually Play Defense In the 2015 NBA All-Star Game

LeBron James Cavaliers
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The last thing the NBA All-Star Game is known for is defense. Occasionally, a player with jump the passing lane for a steal and break away dunk, but that's usually because it was a bad pass to begin with. Basically, the All-Star game is worse the pick-up basketball, but here are five players who might actually give us a taste of defense.

5. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis Pelicans
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5. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis Pelicans
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Whenever it comes to an All-Star Game in any sport, the young guys will usually give it closer to 100 percent than the veterans. Call it being a "gym class hero," but you can expect Anthony Davis to give us a block here and a steal there. It is always the players who truly love basketball who leave it on the court no matter the stakes, and Davis is one of those guys.

4. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol Grizzlies
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4. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol Grizzlies
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The protector of the paint, Marc Gasol is one 7-foot All-Star who won't just stand there like a tree. Even though he is becoming somewhat of an ASG regular, that won't stop Gasol from grabbing some boards and going for a block or two. Plus, the young star would like to add an All-Star Game MVP trophy to his hardware case that is getting bigger and bigger each year.

3. Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry Raptors
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3. Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry Raptors
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If there is one type of player who has a better chance at playing defense than any other on the All-Star rosters, it is the player appearing in his first ASG. Kyle Lowry was elected to his first All-Star Game, and you better believe the scrappy guard will bring the energy. The excitement and nerves will have Lowry going 100 mph on both sides of the ball.

2. Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler Bulls
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2. Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler Bulls
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Jimmy Butler is in the same boat as Lowry, but I believe there is another factor behind Butler's performance in his first All-Star Game. There has been plenty of talk about Butler and a max contract. Now that those talks have quieted down, what better way to re-spark interest than a big performance in the ASG? It might not make a difference in contract negotiations, but it would be a way for Butler to regain attention.

1. The Three Hawks

Paul Millsap Al Horford Jeff Teague Hawks
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1. The Three Hawks

Paul Millsap Al Horford Jeff Teague
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Other than ruling the East and a 19-game win streak, the three Atlanta Hawks All-Stars have also impressed with defense. Ranked third in the league in points allowed, Jeff Teague and Paul Millsap are combining for more than three STLS per game, while Al Horford and Millsap are combining for more than two BLKS. Defense is a main factor as to why these three made the All-Star Game, so expect them to bring a little bit of it to New York.

Shane Phillips is an Lead NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected]. equivalent

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