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: Luka Doncic
After leading Dallas to the Western Conference Finals last season, Doncic has had a monster season so far this year. Though Dallas’ team success has not necessarily been there, Luka’s numbers have been, averaging 33.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. Doncic should be a lock to start.
G: Ja Morant
Morant has come back and had another monster season this season, after winning the Most Improved Player award last season. With averages of 27.4 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game this season while leading the Grizzlies to a 31-13 record to this point, Morant has had his best season of his young career to this point.
F: LeBron James
While the Lakers may stink, LeBron James does not. Having another huge season averaging 29.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, which is even more incredible considering he is 38 years old and in year 20 of his career. He is also about to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, which is incredible considering Kareem’s record was once seen as unbreakable.
F: Domantas Sabonis
After a highly debated trade last February, Sabonis has had a monster season for the Kings this season. Averaging 18 and 12 the numbers don’t tell the whole story on the season Sabonis has had and the way he has helped uplift the Kings potentially into a playoff spot.
F: Nikola Jokic
Jokic is the MVP front runner at the current moment as he is having another monster season. Averaging 25.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 9.9 assists, the back to back reigning MVP is playing like he is the best player in the world right now and more people need to talk about it.
Bench:
G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA has a legit case to be a starter and while I would not complain if he was, I would put Morant and Doncic above him. Averaging 30.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder in the Play-In Tournament race, which is an accomplishment considering where the Thunder have been the past few seasons.
G: Stephen Curry
While Curry has missed a lot of time this season, the reason I believe that he needs to be an All-Star are the on/off numbers. With Curry on the court, Golden State has a net rating of 6.3, which would be 2nd in the NBA, with Curry off the court, Golden State has a net rating of -7.1, which would be 28th in the NBA.
F: Lauri Markkanen
The host city Utah will get an All-Star as Markkanen should absolutely be on the team. Averaging 24.8 points and 8.7 rebounds on shooting splits of .52/.42/.87, Markkanen is having a monster season and, in my opinion, should be the front runner for Most Improved Player.
F: Zion Williamson
Another player you could make the argument he has not played in enough games but I am going with it. If he was not injured Zion would be a shoe in for this and likely a starter, at 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists a night and the Pelicans in the 4th seed to this point, I am giving Williamson the All-Star nod anyways.
F: Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon is having a career season, averaging 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, Gordon is also shooting a career high 65% on 2 point shots. Gordon is also tasked with guarding the other team's best player every single night. I know this seems out there but there are not a ton of options, Gordon has played over 1,100 minutes this season, and Denver has the best record in the Western Conference.
WC: Devin Booker
Just like Williamson and Curry, Booker has missed a lot of games but just like Curry the on/off numbers are the reason he should be an All-Star. The Suns offensive rating with Booker on the court is 121.3, which would be the best not only this season but all time, with Booker off the court the offensive rating is 109.3, which would be tied for dead last in the league with the Rockets.
WC: Damian Lillard
I was down to Lillard and De’Aaron Fox but went with Lillard, again due to on/off numbers. Portland’s offensive rating with Lillard on the court is 120.8, would be best in the NBA, with Lillard off the court it is 108.9, would be worst in the NBA.
East
Starters
G: Donovan Mitchell
Since being traded over the summer, Mitchell has put together an awesome season for the Cavaliers. Averaging 28.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, Mitchell has helped lead the Cavaliers to their best non-LeBron season since the 1990s.
G: Jaylen Brown
Brown has had a monster season for the team with the best record in the NBA. Averaging 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, Brown has taken his game to another level this season as he and Jayson Tatum hope to lead the Celtics to banner 18.
F: Jayson Tatum
Tatum is playing at an MVP level and with Brown has led Boston to the league’s best record. Averaging 31.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on the season, Tatum has not only put up the numbers but is the best player on the best team in the league and deserves to start in the All-Star game.
F: Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has had a monster season and before he got injured had Brooklyn right at the top of the East with the Celtics. Averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, Durant has been every bit as advertised this season and it is a huge bummer that he got injured.
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
While Antetokounmpo has not had his most efficient season and it totally is something he can control, he is still having a huge season. 31.0 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game are huge numbers and having the Bucks right in the thick of the Eastern Conference race even without Khris Middleton is extremely impressive for the Greek Freak.
Bench G: Kyrie Irving
Even though it has been a struggle for the Nets to score (and win) since Durant got hurt, Irving is still having a big season. Averaging 25.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, Kyrie has had a nice season since his incident at the start of the season.
G: James Harden
Harden is having a really good season, averaging 21.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 6.5 rebounds. Harden's scoring is down but he is feeding Joel Embiid buckets often as shown by his 11.2 assists per game.
F: Joel Embiid
There are 4 forwards that should start in the East so someone has to be the odd man out and I chose Embiid. Averaging 33.6 points and 9.8 rebounds a night are certainly All-Star numbers and borderline MVP numbers.
F: Pascal Siakam
Though Toronto’s record is bad, Siakam has had a very good season. Averaging 25.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, he has been Tornoto’s best player and is having one of his best individual seasons of his career.
F: Julius Randle
Randle has been the Knicks best player this season as him and new point guard Jalen Brunson have the Knicks in the hunt for the playoffs. Averaging 24.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per night, Randle should get his 2nd career All-Star nod this season.
WC: Jimmy Butler
Butler’s numbers are very good at 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, Butler has played in 32 games and has been playing well as the Heat have started to get hot (no pun intended).
WC: Tyrese Haliburton
Halliburton has absolutely had an All-Star level season this year. With averages of 20.2 points, 10.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, Haliburton had led a Pacers team that was projected to finish last in the Eastern Conference to a record of 22-18 in games he has played.
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. It should be fun to find out who heads to Utah on President’s Day weekend.
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