Jeremy Lin News: Is the Houston Rocket a Target Because of His Race?
Jeremy Lin (R) signed a three-year $25 million offer sheet with Houston during the offseason. Reuters

The starters for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game were revealed on Thursday, Jan. 17.

Familiar faces make up both rosters. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett are in the frontcourt for the East. Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade will start in the backcourt.

Only one starter for the West doesn’t play in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard of the Lakers were voted in by the fans, as well as the Clippers' Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. MVP candidate Kevin Durant rounds out the rest of the lineup.

With the fan voting over, seven spots are open on each team. The head coaches throughout the league will select the reserves, which be announced on TNT on Thursday night.

Of all the players that missed the cut to start in the game, Jeremy Lin got the most votes. The Houston Rockets guard was picked on 883,809 ballots, finishing behind Paul to start in the Feb. 17 contest. Lin finished third in voting for Western Conference guards, but got more total votes than both Griffin and Garnett.

After being registered on so many ballots, does Lin have a chance to be named an All-Star reserve?

Based purely on his numbers, Lin will have a hard time making the team. With only seven spots remaining, it’s unlikely that more than four more guards will be named to the squad.

The West is extremely deep at the guard position, especially at point guard. Five Western point guards average at least 16.5 points per game, and nine average at least six assists.

Lin’s main competition is three point guards and one shooting guard. Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry have a good chance to make the team. Lin’s teammate, James Harden, is also a top candidate to be picked as a reserve.

Statistically, Lin doesn’t stack up with these four players.

Russell Westbrook: 23.0 PPG, 8.2 APG, 5.3 RPG, 42.3 FG%

Tony Parker: 19.7 PPG, 7.3 APG, 2.9 RPG, 51.9 FG%

Stephen Curry: 20.7 PPG, 6.6 APG, 4.1 RPG, 43.7 FG%

James Harden: 25.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 4.5 RPG, 43.3 FG%

Jeremy Lin: 12.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.8 RPG, 42.3 FG%

Even some guards that won’t make the cut have better numbers than Lin. Rookie Damian Lillard is averaging 18.3 points per game for the Portland Trail Blazers. Greivis Vasquez is third in the NBA in assists per game.

The only real chance Lin has of making the team is because to his popularity. The All-Star game will take place in Houston, and Lin would get a chance to play front of his home fans. His popularity helped him be selected to the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge, which features first and second-year players. Lin made the team, despite getting significant playing time in just a few weeks prior to the contest.

Lin’s first season in Houston has been somewhat of a struggle. He’s had trouble playing alongside Harden, and has yet to play like he did with the New York Knicks on a consistent basis. It would be considered a major upset if he is named to the All-Star team.

Tnt