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The NBA All-Star game is months away and probably not at all on anyone's radar. Last year the game was formatted differently than prior years. Instead of the classic Western conference smackdown of the East, the NBA decided it wasn't entertaining enough for the fans.
They still selected 12 players from each conference, but had two captains select the teams through a draft. There were still 12 players from the East and West, but the teams were a mix of the two conferences.
The competition in the West is so tough that there will be examples of players with All-Star level talent that won't make the team. This was seen when Damian Lillard was snubbed two years in a row. Today it has become harder for young players to make it to the All-Star game with so many talented veterans ahead of them.
Will there be many changes to the roster from last year? Is DeRozan a good enough player to make the All-Star game in the loaded West? Who will be the biggest snub of the All-Star game? All these are the questions that this article will address.
So a final reminder that the way the game is formatted is that there are still 12 players selected from each conference that are separated into Starters and Reserves. Once the included players are chosen then the draft takes place.
Eastern Conference Reserve Predictions
Guard - John Wall
After his injury problems this year, John Wall's play was never up to par to what fans wanted from the Wizards' point guard. Of course any player averaging 19 points and 10 assists is amazing, but Wall never really looked the same.
The season prior, he averaged 23 points and almost 11 assists a game. He is one of the best point guards in the league. By remaining healthy and fixing the team chemistry problems, he should return to form as one of the elite point guards in the league.
Guard - Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons could be an NBA All-Star starter due to his popularity in the league. He is considered a guard because that's the position he wants to play and the position Brett Brown has him playing when he's on the court.
His style of play is reminiscent of a young LeBron James. It scares people to wonder how dominant he'd be if had a jump shot. He's a walking triple double and has high expectations for himself to become the best player in the league.
Forward - Gordon Hayward
Every NBA fan should be excited for Hayward's return. After suffering a horrible leg injury, he was forced to miss the entirety of the season. Hayward was a borderline All-Star before finally making the team in 2017.
That season he averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He should be able to put up similar stats next year with the Celtics and find himself returning back to his All-Star self.
Centre - Andre Drummond
Drummond is one of the most talented centres, but he doesn't get the credit he deserves because of the team he is on.
He was named to the All-Star last year and will continue to be an All-Star for years to come, considering he's only 24. This past season he averaged 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Guard - Kemba Walker
Similarly to Drummond, Walker has never earned the respect he deserves because of the lack of his team's success. Walker has become one of the most underrated players in the league.
On any given night he can give you 22 points and 5 assists, which are great numbers for a point guard and is definitely worthy of being a top 10 point guard in the league. Last season he averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 assists per game.
Guard - D'Angelo Russell
Here is probably the biggest reach of my predictions. Russell was the second overall pick in 2015 and has shown flashes of his potential, but injuries have prevented him from taking a big step forward. After being traded to the Nets, he became the focal point of their offence.
Before getting injured last year, he began the season averaging 20.9 points and 5.6 assists in his first 12 games. If he can score a few more, keep that consistent, and be healthy, he could very well make the All-Star team.
Forward - Blake Griffin
Another injury prone player, Blake Griffin, no longer has the same explosiveness and excitement as he did during his first few years in the league. I think Griffin has went from being overrated to underrated.
He's one of the best passing big man in the league and his averages show his talent. Detroit will need to win more games and if they do then it's completely possible Drummond and Griffin make the All-star team.
Eastern Conference Starter Predictions
Guard - Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving can be argued to be a top 3 point guard in the league. His ball-handling skills and scoring ability are off the charts and he is considered by some to have the best handles of all time.
He drew some MVP discussion last year prior to all the injuries. He's another player that needs to remain healthy and be the leader for the Celtics to prove why he is a top three point guard in the league.
Guard - Victor Oladipo
Arguably the best shooting guard in the East. Oladipo will try to repeat his incredible season next year. His two-way game and love for the Pacers quickly made him a fan favourite as he rose and become a star.
After deservingly being named an All-Star last year, he should have no trouble finding himself on the roster again next year if he keeps up the same level of play.
Forward - Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard should return to All-Star form and be dominant for the Raptors if he plays like he did before all the drama. Leonard is a 2-time 'Defensive player of the year' and was once considered the 3rd best player in the league.
He's arguably the best two way player in the league and should lead Toronto far next season.
Forward - Giannis Antetokounmpo
In an earlier piece, I did my award predictions for the coming season and I predicted Giannis to win the MVP award. He's an absolute monster on the court. He's able to attack the basket in any way and he uses his size and speed to blow past defenders to post eye dropping stats of 26.9 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Every season he has gotten better, and if that trend continues he may take a step forward to being a top 5 player in the league today.
Centre - Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid should return as an All-Starter like last year. Considering how popular of a player embiid is, he may finish with the most votes to be named an All-Star captain. Last year he averaged 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
The only negative of embiid is his health and whether he can play a full season or at least not be injured during the All-star break.
Western Conference Reserve Predictions
Guard - Russell Westbrook
Westbrook is the most talented reserve player on this list. There will be critics that say he is not a winner and is more concerned with his stats than results of the game. Whether or not you agree with this, there is no denying his intense mentality and talent.
Triple doubles have lost lot of credibility after Westbrook became the main guy in OKC. He averaged a triple double throughout the season, which is insane and is still hard to do even if he is only stat-padding.
He's talented and OKC should be better next year with an improved bench and a healthy Roberson.
Guard - Damian Lillard
It's only been a few years since fans and executives alike argued how Lillard is constantly getting snubbed for the All-Star game. The West conference is tough, and there aren't that many spots to go around.
However despite all the stiff competition, I still predict Lillard to make the team next season. He drew some MVP consideration last year when he averaged 26.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Guard/Forward - DeMar DeRozan
The newest member of the San Antonio Spurs will be given ample opportunity to put the ball in the basket to continue his success in the NBA. Obviously DeRozan was easily an Eastern Conference starter in the East because there wasn't much competition at the guard spot.
However the West is filled with quality guards who will all be competing for the spot. Knowing DeMar's history and Popovich's experience, DeMar could put up anywhere between 25 and 28 points per game.
Centre - Nikola Jokic
One of the most fun players to watch in the league. Nikola Jokic is hands down the most versatile offensive big man in the league.
He is deserving of an All-Star spot after being a borderline All-Star last season. Last year he averaged 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
Forward/Centre - Karl Anthony Towns
If Karl Anthony Towns played as good on defence as he does on offence then he could stir a debate between who's the better big man between him and Anthony Davis.
Unfortunately his defence is nowhere near the level of Anthony Davis. His offence on the other hand is dominant for his age and size as he's able to score in many different ways.
His scoring and rebounding ability should be enough for him to secure a spot on the All-Star team.
Guard - Devin Booker
Devin Booker will be in debates with Donovan Mitchell in the future on who's the best shooting guard in the league. Booker will score the ball at a ridiculous rate. Every year his scoring totals have increased as he's become one of the best scorers in the league.
Last year he averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. However, those numbers weren't enough for him to make the All-Star team. This was because the Suns were in the basement of the league, record-wise.
Hopefully with the additions of DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Trevor Ariza will help the Suns win enough for Booker to get the recognition.
Guard - Donovan Mitchell
All you need to see about Donovan Mitchell can be shown in his play during the first round of the NBA playoffs against OKC. He's an absolute beast on the court. His confidence and basketball IQ are well beyond his years and he's able to attack and score on the basket in any way thinkable.
He's also a solid defender being in Utah's system. The Jazz are primed for a good season with their well-around roster and head coach, Quinn Snyder, and one of their player will be at the All-Star game. Unfortunately there isn't room for Rudy Gobert as well, but for now Mitchell will represent the Salt lake City.
Western Conference Starter Predictions
Guard - Stephen Curry
Everyone already knows about Curry. He's arguably the second most famous player in the league behind LeBron James. He's a two-time MVP, the greatest shooter of All-time, and has been the face of a three-time championship winning franchise.
Curry has literally revolutionized basketball with his 3-point shooting, and his team has inspired others to adapt to the small-ball lineup. As of today, he is the best point guard in the league and will be a lock for the game.
Guard - James Harden
The 2017-18 NBA Most Valuable Player is a lock for being a starter. After being a runner up for the award two years in a row, the beard finally captured it last year when he averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game.
It's amazing to see Harden's growth from a quality sixth man to potentially achieving his 7th All-Star selection.
Forward - LeBron James
Can you imagine if the NBA still did the East vs West format? It would be one of the most one sided NBA related games of All-time. The West's potential starters would include 4 former MVPs and an MVP candidate.
Good thing the NBA changed the format or fans would witness a runaway game before tipoff. He's the 'King' and he's still the best player in the league at 33 years old. He will most likely be named an All-Star captain for the second year in a row.
Forward - Kevin Durant
Call him a snake, call him sensitive, call him whatever you want. Whatever you say, Durant is still the second best player in the league and the best scorer the league has seen in recent memory.
He's spent the last season working on all the minor things in the game to develop a more two-way game, if he continues that trend then he could get closer to LeBron's status...
Centre - Anthony Davis
He's the best big man in the league. After DeMarcus Cousins went down last year, Anthony Davis took his game to a new level with a few 40+ point and 15+ rebound games. That's absolutely insane.
He was able to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs where they were able to sweep the higher seed TrailBlazers. Unfortunately the Pelicans are on the bubble for making the playoffs next year, with the West getting stronger. This won't stop Anthony Davis from becoming an All-Star though.
