This NBA season has been one of the most fun in recent memory as it seems this is the most balanced the league has been since the early 2010’s. It truly seems as if each team has gotten better besides for a few (Knicks, Hornets, Warriors, etc), which has been massive for that competitive balance.
As we approach the midseason mark this season, we will be evaluating which players deserve to be in the annual NBA All-Star Game.
Eastern Conference: Starting off in the East, there is a clear cut captain in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is currently averaging 31.0 PPG and 12.5 RPG.
After Giannis, Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid should fill out the front court. Siakam has lead the defending champion Raptors to a 17-8 record while averaging 24.7 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Joel Embiid has been his usual self, as the Sixers are still undefeated at home. Embiid is averaging 22.8 PPG and 12.3 RPG.
The back court should certainly include Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker. The new addition has lead the Celtics to an electric start. The last starting spot is most likely between Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal. But based off team success, Jimmy will get the starting spot as Miami has shocked the NBA thus far.
The last seven spots as of now should likely be: Bradley Beal, Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Kevin Love (assuming he won’t be traded to the West).
Western Conference: The West is trickier as it is loaded with talent. But, the captain should no doubt still be LeBron James. The Lakers are tied for first in the league this season with only three losses and that can be credited to the amazing play from King James.
Based off that, his teammate Anthony Davis will join him in the starting lineup. The other forward that should start – despite load management – should be Clippers’ F, Kawhi Leonard. There is no doubt Kawhi is a top talent in the league and when he plays, he proves that.
The guard spots are also consensus picks with second year stud Luka Dončić and scoring veteran James Harden. Luka recently suffered an ankle sprain but will certainly be back for the All Star Game. Harden will be in the All Star game for the eighth straight year.
The final reserves should be the clutch Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, sharpshooter Devin Booker, Paul George, Karl Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic (thinking he will bounce back from his abysmal start, and Rudy Gobert.
Coaches: Coaching wise, Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat deserves to be a coach. Spoelstra has developed young guys like Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and more into reliable role players. Miami is also a top three seed in the East. In the West, Dallas Mavericks’ coach Rick Carlisle has lead Dallas to a start they haven’t seen in years; including a massive win last night against the flaming hot Bucks.
(P/C: BtBP)
