All-Star Starters
The NBA All-Star Game is just a little over a month away. The fan voting is heating up and the players are making their cases for inclusion in the league’s showcase. Who will be representing their conference as a starter in Los Angeles for the game? We won’t find out until January 18th, but as of today, here is who I think the starting five for each conference should be. (I understand that the format has been adjusted this year so that the top two vote getters will select their teams playground style and thus this year’s game will not follow the typical East vs. West format. Because I cannot predict who will be picked by whom, I am picking the All-Star Game starters strictly based on conference.)
Eastern Conference
Guard: Kyrie Irving. The leading scorer on the East’s best team, Irving is a lock to start the All-Star Game. Many questioned his decision to request a trade from Cleveland, but thus far he has been thoroughly impressive with the Celtics.
Guard: Demar Derozan. It feels like the Raptors get very little respect. Maybe it is because the Cavs have dismantled them in the last two postseasons, but either way this year Toronto has been balling. Derozan is averaging 25 points per game while shooting a career high 37% from deep. He is worthy of starting.
Forward: LeBron James. The King is tracking to claim his fifth MVP this season. You know who else has five? MJ.
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is an anomaly. He has no jump shot- at least not yet- but is still averaging the second most points per game in the league, with a shade over 29. He gets to the rim at will and is also a menace on the defensive end. The Bucks will be a threat in the East for years to come thanks to Giannis.
Forward: Al Horford. I could make the argument that Horford is Boston’s most important player. From his defensive versatility to his screening, Big Al does a ton of little things that often go unappreciated on the stat sheet.
Western Conference
Guard: Russell Westbrook. He’s doing it again. Westbrook is on the verge of averaging another triple-double. That feels insane to say, but it’s true. His team has struggled, but as of late they are starting to turn it around. The man plays with such a purpose each and every night; it’s awesome to watch.
Guard: James Harden. He is currently hobbled with an ankle injury, but Houston’s superstar has been tantalizing thus far. He is averaging a league leading 32 points per game to go along with 9 assists and 5 boards. Harden is a lock to start in the All-Star Game.
Forward: Kevin Durant. He’s seven-feet and strokes it like a guard. His defense has been much improved this year, but even without that he is one of the most transcendent offensive talents that the league has ever seen.
Forward: Anthony Davis. The Brow can do it all. If he could ever manage to get on a team that could legitimately compete with Golden State, I think that he could prove to be the Warriors kryptonite.
Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs big man is not getting the love that he deserves. After a couple of underwhelming seasons, Aldridge has the Spurs in third in the West despite an injury to Kawhi Leonard that caused him to miss much of the first half of the season. LaMarcus is putting up 22 points and 8 boards per contest and should find himself starting for the West.
