We are now almost halfway through the 2021-22 NBA season which means it is time for the annual argument about who should not only start in the all-star game but what players should fill out the 12 man rosters.
This season has been another weird one due to another emergence in players being out with Covid but it has also been a very interesting season with lots of players, playing at a very high level. Making the decision on which players don't get to play in the all-star game, a very tough one.
Just a refresher, the all-stars are split up by the eastern and western conferences. Each team is made up of four guards, six front court players, and two wildcards. The starting line-up has to be two guards and three front court players (forwards and/or centers). Then after the participants are selected the two captains (which is determined by the most fan votes) pick their squads from the other 22 players selected.
Eastern Conference Starters
Joel Embiid
Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated
Joel Embiid absolutely has to be a starter for the eastern conference. The dominant big man is averaging, 26.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 47% from the floor and 39% from 3. Embiid has led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 21-16 record with his dominance on both offense and defense.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Photo via Dairyland Express
The Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has lived up to his nickname again this season, averaging, 27.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 53% from the floor. The Milwaukee Bucks are currently third in the eastern conference.
Kevin Durant
Photo provided by Nets Wire
Kevin Durant has been Kevin Durant, you know who he is! The Brooklyn Nets have been either first or second in the eastern conference for most of the season despite James Harden's slow start and Kyrie Irving not being available for most of the season. We have to give Durant his credit for this. KD is leading the league in scoring, averaging 30 points per game while shooting 51% from the floor.
DeMar DeRozan
Photo via NBC Chicago
The Chicago Bulls are currently first in the eastern conference, which is a surprise to many. There a lot of factors that have led to their success but the main one being the play of DeMar DeRozan. He has been superb so far this year, averaging, 26.9 points per game, while shooting 49% from the floor. He has also been extremely clutch this season, making multiple game winners.
Zach LaVine
Photo courtesy of USA Today
This selection may not be the most popular but I like to reward individual stats that lead to winning. Zach LaVine is having another great season but this season he is finally on a winning squad. LaVine is a major reason for the Bulls success this year, averaging, 26.3 points per game on 49% shooting from the floor.
Eastern Conference Reserves
James Harden - I mentioned that Harden got off to a slow start this year. A slow start for the bearded one is still an all-star level player. He is averaging, 22.5 points, 9.8 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game.
Jimmy Butler - The Miami Heat are currently fourth in the east behind the great play of Butler. Who is averaging, 22.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
Jayson Tatum - The Boston Celtics have been disappointing but Tatum's numbers are hard to ignore. He is averaging, 25.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Trae Young - The Atlanta Hawks have also been very disappointing but it has nothing to do with the offensive end of the floor where Young is amazing. The former Oklahoma Sooner is averaging 28.2 points and 9.5 assists per game while shooting 46% from the floor and 38% from three point range.
Domantis Sabonis - Another disappointing team but Sabonis has done everything he can for the Indiana Pacers. He is averaging, 18.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 57% from the floor.
LaMelo Ball - The Charlotte Hornets may be the most electric team in the NBA and the conductor of the electric train is LaMelo Ball. Ball is averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Jrue Holiday - Holiday is one of my favorite players in the NBA. There will always be a place in my heart for two-way players who can lock down on the defensive end. The former Pelican is averaging, 18.4 points, and 6.7 assists per game, while shooting 50% from the floor.
Just Missed The Cut
Tyler Herro - Herro has been a huge part of the Heat's success, averaging 20.3 points per game off of the bench. I just couldn't put a sixth man in the game over the players I selected.
Darius Garland - I really wanted to reward the Cleveland Cavaliers with an all-star this season. They are playing very well but its been more a team effort. So I couldn't fit Garland in over players like Trae Young or Jrue Holiday who do a bit more for their squads.
Jaylen Brown - Brown is a great player but I couldn't put two Celtics on the all-star team with the underwhelming season they are having.
Western Conference Starters
Nikola Jokic
Photo courtesy of USA Today
Nikola Jokic is a no-brainer starter for the all-star game. Jokic won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) last season and is playing just as well this year. The playful big man is averaging 25.7 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, keeping the Nuggets in playoff contention without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr being available for Denver.
LeBron James
Photo provided by The Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Lakers have not played well this season but the only reason they are still in the playoff hunt is the play of LeBron James. James recently turned 37 years old and somehow is still able to average, 28.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 52% from the floor and 37% from three point range.
Paul George
Photo via Fox News
Paul George is currently hurt, so hopefully he is back by February 20th, so he can play in the all-star game. Prior to his elbow injury, George was carrying the LA Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. George is averaging, 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists per game.
Ja Morant
Photo provided by Grizzly Bear Blues
The Memphis Grizzlies are currently fourth in the western conference and look the part of a team that may crash the party. Ja Morant is the fearless leader of this young bunch. Morant is having an excellent season combining his athletic ability with a great feel for the game. Morant is averaging, 25.1 points and 6.7 assists per game, shooting 49% from the floor and 40% from three point range.
Steph Curry
Photo via The New York Times
The Golden State Warriors have the best record in the NBA behind their great defense and stellar play of Steph Curry. Curry who has celebrated a few milestones this season, being voted to the NBA 75th anniversary team and becoming the all time leader in three point field goals made will also add another all-star start to his resume. Curry is averaging 26.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Western Conference Reserves
Donovan Mitchell - The Utah Jazz are quietly having another great regular season led by Mitchell who is averaging 25.5 points per game while shooting 45% from the floor.
Rudy Gobert - The Jazz are a top ten defense and the success of their defense all hinges on the play of Gobert. Along with being a great rim protector, he is averaging 15.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Draymond Green - The Golden State Warriors are the top ranked defensive team in the NBA. Their defense is anchored by Draymond Green. Along with being the leader in the Defensive Player of the Year race, Green is also averaging, 7.6 assists per game.
Chris Paul - The Phoenix Suns are second in the western conference and look prime to make another deep playoff run as CP3 continues to play at a very high level. Paul is averaging 14.1 points and 10.1 assists per game.
Karl Anthony-Towns - The Minnesota Timberwolves are finally decent with KAT leading the way. Towns has always put up great stats and this year its leading to Minnesota being in the playoff hunt. The former Kentucky Wildcat is averaging, 24.2 points, and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the floor and 42% from three point range.
Devin Booker - Booker has been extremely consistent over the last few years and is now winning to go along with his individual brilliance. Booker is averaging, 23.5 points per game while shooting 44% from the floor and 40% from the three.
Luka Dončić - The Dallas Mavericks are in a weird place. They are fifth in the western conference
but when you watch them, something seems to be off. Even with that feeling we can't ignore the impact of Luka Dončić. Doncic is averageing 25.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 8 rebounds per game.
Just Missed The Cut
Anthony Edwards - Edwards is having a great season but I could only get one Timberwolf in the game but hopefully we get Edwards in the dunk contest. It would be awesome to have him go against Miles Bridges, Ja Morant, and Jalen Green.
Damian Lillard - Lillard started off the season in the worst slump of his career and is just now getting back to playing like himself. It's too little too late to be an all-star this year.
Dejounte Murray - Murray has played very well for the San Antonio Spurs but just couldn't crack the top twelve in the western conference. Murray is averaging, 18 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Thank you for reading this article. Please let me know what you agree and disagree with in the comment section below or find me on social media @therealdealwda .