The NBA All-Star Game is coming up and voting for starters ends this week so I will be putting out my ballot for the game. There are 12 players per conference, which means if someone goes on the list, someone else needs to come off of the list, with that let’s get started.
West
Starters
G: Steph Curry
No surprise here, Curry has had yet another monster season averaging 26.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on the season, while leading the Warriors to a 32-13 record this season. Curry is an obvious choice.
G: Ja Morant
Morant has had a monster season. Memphis is 3rd in the West while Ja averages 24.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. He is attacking the rim with that same reckless abandon and is shooting the ball much better.
F: LeBron James
The Lakers have struggled this year, but LeBron is not the reason. 28.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game this season, yeah The King belongs in his 18th straight All-Star Game.
F: Nikola Jokic
The Joker is in the MVP conversation yet again. The reigning MVP is averaging 25.3 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game this season while dragging the Nuggets, without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., to a 23-20 record.
F: Rudy Gobert
2 centers?! No, the NBA does not include centers in All-Star voting anymore, they are forwards. Anyways, last year’s DPOY absolutely belongs here, Gobert is having another monster defensive season and the Jazz are really good again.
Bench
G: Donovan Mitchell
Spida has a very good case to be a starter but I am going with Morant and Curry. Mitchell is Utah’s best offensive player and the guy who needs to carry them for a deep playoff run. Utah is currently 29-16 and 4th in the West.
G: Chris Paul
CP3 is having yet another All-Star season. His Phoenix Suns have the best record in the Western Conference at 35-9, as he averages 13.9 points and 10.0 assists. This would be the Point God’s 12th All-Star selection.
F: Draymond Green
Green is the engine that makes the Warriors go, on offense and on defense, he makes the Warriors go. With the Warriors playing as well as they are, Green belongs in the All-Star game.
F: Paul George
After leading the Clippers to the West Finals last season, Paul George was having yet another huge season for the Clippers before he was injured with a UCL injury. Averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, George would not play in the game due to the injury.
F: Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns, looking for his 3rd All-Star selection, should be an All-Star this season. Putting up 24.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game Towns is a part of a Timberwolves squad that should make the West playoffs.
WC: Devin Booker
Booker has had yet another great season for Phoenix averaging 24.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game, as Phoenix holds the number 1 seed in the Western Conference.
WC: Luka Doncic
I think Luka belongs on an All-Star team, even if he is the last one out West. Doncic is a worthy All-Star, based on his numbers, the Mavericks standings, and the name recognition. Considered an MVP candidate coming into the season, injuries have derailed that train but I still believe he belongs on an All-Star team.
East
Starters
G: Trae Young
Young has had an incredible season, even as Atlanta struggles. Averaging 27.7 points and 9.4 assists, Young is having yet another great season after leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
G: DeMar DeRozan
Should DeRozan be able to make the All-Star team as a guard, probably not, but he can. With that being said DeRozan has led the Bulls, who missed the play-in last season, to a record of 28-15 and the number one seed in the East. Not to mention he is averaging 25.6 points per game.
F: Kevin Durant
Durant has had yet another monster season. Averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, Durant has led Brooklyn to a top seed in the East, while missing key guys throughout. KD would likely miss the game due to injury however as he has a knee injury.
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak has had a MVP caliber season for the Bucks, averaging 28.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, we should not take these numbers for granted. The reigning Finals MVP and reigning All-Star Game MVP is having yet another awesome season for the Bucks.
F: Joel Embiid
Embiid is a legit MVP candidate, after scoring 50 points in Philly’s win Wednesday night in just 27 minutes that really put the spotlight on Embiid’s MVP case. He is the sole reason a (besides him) bad Sixers roster is above .500. Thus, he should start in the All-Star Game.
Bench
G: Zach LaVine
LaVine has followed up his 2020-21 campaign with another one. Averaging 24.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, LaVine has the Bulls sitting at the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
G: James Harden
Harden had a down season compared to others in his career, however he still should be an All-Star. Brooklyn is sitting in the top 4 of the East even with Kyrie Irving being a part time player and Joe Harris missing a lot of games, and Harden’s 22.6 points, 10.0 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game are a big part of that.
F: Jimmy Butler
Butler has missed a lot of games but I still think he belongs on an All-Star team. Averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, Butler has led the Heat to the number 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, even with Bam Adebayo missing significant time.
F: Jarrett Allen
Traded to Cleveland last season, Allen has become a vital part of Cleveland coming out of the NBA’s dumpster. Averaging 16.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks, Allen has been awesome in his first full season from Cleveland.
F: Jayson Tatum
The Celtics have struggled and Tatum has been inefficient at times but he still should be an All-Star. Averaging 25.2 points and 8.5 rebounds, Tatum has been Boston’s best player yet again this season, and the combo with him and Jaylen Brown should stick around for a long time.
WC: Fred VanVleet
VanVleet has had another huge season for the Raptors, and I believe he should make his first All-Star team. He is the engine that makes Toronto go and with averages of 21.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, VanVleet is an All-Star worthy player.
WC: Jrue Holiday
Holiday has had a really good season for Milwaukee. Averaging 18.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, he not only has to carry a huge offensive load for the Bucks but also guard the other team's best guard.
Those are my 24 All-Stars for this season, there are plenty of guys I left off of the list but in order to add to the list, you have to take a guy off of the list. Being an All-Star is one of the great honors a player in the NBA can receive.
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