Second voting returns came out on Thursday, but which 12 from each conference appear All-Star worthy?
In a little over a month, the NBA All-Star Game and it’s desperate new format will be played in San Francisco. While the action itself remains as uninspiring as ever, all-star nods remain a big part of player’s legacies and as sticking points in player debates between fans. The most exciting part of the All-Star process, arguably, is the selection debates.
Our Knicks seem to have two locks, but whether they start or not remains a question (side note: in this format, what even is a starter?). There are 12 guys in each league that make it, which always causes controversy in a league that seems to be more talented than ever.
Let’s take a crack at it and see which 12 look All-Star worthy at this juncture and maybe some snubs.
Eastern Conference Starters
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G: Jalen Brunson (NYK, 2nd selection)
Stats: 25.1 PPG, 7.5 APG, 2.9 RPG, 47.6 FG%, 38.7 3pt%
A homer pick? Sure, but Brunson is an all-star either way and it’s just a matter of preference if you want him as a starter or reserve.
His recent slump may be hurting his case, but he has plenty of time to change minds. The captain and leader of the third-best team in the East has seen more double teams than almost anyone in basketball and perseveres through it at 6’2” without a flashy game.
G: Donovan Mitchell (CLE, 6th)
Stats: 22.9 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.9 RPG, 45.0 FG%, 41.0 3pt%
The stats aren’t eye-popping, but Mitchell is the best player on the 33-4 Cavaliers that are off to one of the best starts in recent history. That Cavs team might struggle to get a second or third all-star because of the quality of competition, so that’s something to watch.
F: Jayson Tatum (BOS, 6th)
Stats: 27.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.5 APG, 46.1 FG%, 36.4 3pt%
Tatum is a shoo-in to not only start but be on First Team All-NBA with career highs in rebounds and assists while being seventh in the league in scoring on the third-best team in basketball by record.
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL, 9th)
Stats: 31.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 2.3 stocks, 60.2 FG%
When the Bucks made their surge to get out of the basement, Giannis had brief MVP shouts but seems to have slipped behind Jokic and SGA in the MVP ladder. This shouldn’t distract from another terrific season for the Greek Freak, who is in contention for a scoring title while being as unstoppable as ever.
F: Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK, 5th)
Stats: 25.3 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 55.2 FG%, 45.0 3pt%
The Big Bodega is an unmistakable starter in his first season as a Knick. In what will be his fifth nod, it’s his first time starting. He leads the East in rebounding and is enjoying a career year as one of the most efficient all-around players in basketball.
Eastern Conference Reserves
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G: LaMelo Ball (CHA, 2nd selection)
Stats: 29.9 PPG, 7.3 APG, 5.4 RPG, 42.3 FG%, 34.2 3pt%
LaMelo has the numbers to start, absolutely. However, he’s missed eleven games and is doing this on an 8-27 Hornets team. He very much could start, as he’s in the pole position in voting. However, if he is far enough down the ballot in media and player votes, he’ll be a reserve. Just stay healthy.
G: Cade Cunningham (DET, 1st)
Stats: 24.3 PPG, 9.3 APG, 6.6 RPG, 45.7 FG%, 37.6 3pt%
The Pistons are… good? They’re above .500 for the first time in forever and the promise Cade showed at Oklahoma State is finally shining through. Injuries robbed us of this earlier, but the Pistons will send a man to the all-star game for the first time since Blake Griffin in 2018-19.
F: Franz Wagner (ORL, 1st)
Stats: 24.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, 5.6 RPG, 46.5 FG%, 32.1 3pt% (currently injured)
The forward scene is rough. Franz might get the nod based off his play carrying the Magic without Paolo, but his torn oblique could hold him back. Paolo, at most, will have played 10-15 games by the time teams are selected, so he’s not in consideration.
F: Jaylen Brown (BOS, 4th)
Stats: 24.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.7 APG, 46.1 FG%, 32.2 3pt%
It hasn’t been the prettiest season for the reigning Finals MVP, but reputation and overall good play on an elite team gets him in relatively easily, despite his worst TS% (55.4%) since 2018-19.
F: Evan Mobley (CLE, 1st)
Stats: 19.0 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.4 stocks, 57.4 FG%, 41.4 3pt%
A very weak big man field behind KAT opens the door for Mobley, who will make it because of his defense, much improved jump-shooting, and Cleveland’s dominance. In a normal year, Bam Adebayo or Joel Embiid would make it, but neither will.
WC: Tyler Herro (MIA, 1st)
Stats: 23.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, 46.7 FG%, 40.1 3pt%
On a team where Jimmy Butler is begging to be traded and Bam Adebayo is struggling, Tyler Herro has been playing some of the best ball of his career and should be an all-star for it
WC: Trae Young (ATL, 4th)
Stats: 22.5 PPG, 12.1 APG, 3.4 RPG, 40.1 FG%, 33.9 3pt%
A couple names were considered for this last spot, but Trae leads the league in assists pretty easily, so that pushes him over the top against a few other guys despite his harrowing efficiency.
Eastern Conference Snubs
RJ Barrett (TOR), Tyrese Maxey (PHI), Damian Lillard (MIL), Zach LaVine (CHI)
They all have a case, but a few questions. LaVine’s stats feel a bit empty, Barrett is playing for a bottom feeder, the Bucks aren’t two-All Star caliber, and Maxey is in the Trae category with efficiency but lacks his playmaking.
Western Conference Starters
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G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC, 3rd)
Stats: 31.5 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.5 RPG, 52.7 FG%, 35.8 3pt%
SGA has a real case to win league MVP, putting up incredible numbers on an elite Thunder team that our Knicks play tonight. The only question is if the Thunder get a second all-star in a stacked West.
G: Stephen Curry (GSW, 11th)
Stats: 22.6 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5.1 RPG, 44.6 FG%, 41.1 3pt%
Let me be clear. I don’t think Curry should be here over Edwards or Fox, but his reputation and his standing in the votes suggest he should backdoor into the spot. Father Time may be rapidly approaching the greatest shooter in NBA history, but he’ll make this all-star game easily.
F: Kevin Durant (PHX, 15th)
Stats: 27.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 52.0 FG%, 40.3 3pt%
One of the greatest scorers ever and arguably the most consistent player in the NBA is another starting lock. His team might be teetering, but his greatness isn’t.
F: Nikola Jokic (DEN, 7th)
Stats: 31.6 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 9.9 APG, 55.6 FG%, 47.7 3pt%
Genuinely insane player. I don’t know how he keeps getting better. He’s almost averaging a triple double and is leading the NBA in 3pt% as a center. He would be very well deserving of a fourth MVP.
F: Victor Wembanyama (SAS, 1st)
Stats: 25.1 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 4.0 BPG, 3.8 APG, 47.9 FG%, 35.4 3pt%
Yes, I have Wemby over LeBron. They’re close enough in voting where the starting streak of King James is in jeopardy. Wembanyama is simply a freak that’s already an All-NBA lock at age 20. This is the worst he’ll be for the next 10-15 years.
gulp
Western Conference Reserves
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
G: Anthony Edwards (MIN, 3rd)
Stats: 25.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 44.1 FG%, 42.7 3pt%
It’s been up-and-down for Minnesota in their first year post-KAT, but Ant is the constant. The T-Wolves have some issues but he isn’t one.
G: Luka Doncic (DAL, 6th)
Stats: 28.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 7.8 APG, 46.4 FG%, 35.4 3pt% (currently injured)
Luka feels iffy. If he can return before the All-Star Game, he’s gonna be in it. However, he might not be back by then and if he isn’t, he might not get the honorary nod before an injury replacement. Will be something to watch.
F: LeBron James (LAL, 21st)
Stats: 23.8 PPG, 8.8 APG, 7.8 RPG, 50.7 FG%, 38.6 3pt%
21. A 21-time all-star.
For the first time since 2004, LeBron James may not start in the All-Star Game, but he still could because of the weird format. His longevity is unmatched and, outside of the honorary all-stars recently bestowed to Wade and Dirk in 2019, he is the oldest all-star since Kareem in 1989.
F: Anthony Davis (LAL, 10th)
Stats: 25.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.4 stocks, 51.9 FG%
AD simultaneously feels old and young. He feels like he’s been in the league forever but he also feels like he’s was just the up-and-comer in New Orleans. For me, I can’t believe he’s only 31.
F: Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM, 2nd)
Stats: 22.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.3 stocks, 49.7 FG%, 34.6 3pt%
How to evaluate Memphis. I feel like JJJ has an easier path than Ja to represent the Grizzlies.
He remains a top shelf defender despite being more of a power forward now and he’s been healthy, something that’s been rare on that team the last two years.
WC: De’Aaron Fox (SAC, 2nd)
Stats: 26.7 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.7 RPG, 48.6 FG%, 32.1 3PT%
The Kings are underachieving but Fox is a certified all-star. One of the fastest and most clutch players in basketball.
WC: Kyrie Irving (DAL, 9th)
Stats: 24.3 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.3 RPG, 49.0 FG%, 44.1 3PT% (currently injured)
Do the Mavs deserve more all-stars than OKC? No.
Will they get more? Potentially.
Kyrie beats JDub in their comparison and whether JDub makes it will be dependent on the injury status of both Luka and Kyrie. Kyrie did a great job in the absence of Luka until his injury.
Western Conference Snubs
Jalen Williams (OKC), Devin Booker (PHX), Norman Powell (LAC), Ja Morant (MEM)
Lot of good guards, not as many great forwards. Weird year.