NBA All-Star Reserve Predictions

Eastern Conference:

Guard: James Harden

This is a no-brainer. I had James Harden as a starter for the East and he barely missed out to his own teammate Kyrie Irving. Harden has been a wizard since joining Brooklyn. He has become their point guard and is leading the league in assists with 11.7 per night. Harden has seamlessly fit into the system Steve Nash and company are running with the Nets and has them looking like the top team in the East.

Guard: Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown finished 2nd in media voting among the NBA media. Most people believe he has the numbers to be a starter in this game, but like next to guys like Harden, Beal, and Kyrie, you had to stick out. Jaylen has been Boston’s most consistent piece on both sides of the floor. He has been reliable on defense for his whole NBA career, but his growth as a scorer and facilitator have put on the cusp of being a superstar. I believe Boston’s inconsistency played a role in Jaylen not starting, but his play has made him a lock for the bench. And it’s in his home town. S/O Jaylen.

Forward: Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton should be on pace to make his 2nd All-Star appearance this year. 50/40/90 from the field and being the best scorer on a championship contender team is solid. Middleton is averaging over 20 points a game and having his best shooting year from deep in 5 years. Middleton is coming off his season high 32 points against the Kings on Sunday. Middleton will be in the game this year, it will be interesting if him and Giannis end up on different squads.

Forward: Julius Randle

Julius Randle his having the best year of his career and the Knicks are somewhat relevant again. He is averaging a career high 23.2 PPG and 11 rebounds a game, also a career best. He has been the Knicks best player this season and has been a consistent force down low for them. His ability to step out and hit the midrange jumper has added a new element to his game. Coach Thibs has the Knicks playing enough defense to win games and it’s time they get themselves as All-Star. Randle deserves it more than guys like Sabonis and Adebayo for me, not saying they won’t make it though.

Forward: Domantas Sabonis

Did I fool you? If the NBA regular season was only 1 week long, Sabonis may have won MVP. His first month of the season was spectacular, leading the Pacers to a 6-2 start to the year. He has since cooled off a bit, and the Pacers roster has gotten worse, but Sabonis still deserves this spot. An All-Star last year, he is posting better numbers for this year with a similar usage rate. Bam barely missed out this year, but the Heat have been terrible. Give it to Sabonis!

Wild Card: Zach LaVine

Zach LaVine is having his best season by far and has blossomed into one of the best scorers in the East. He is averaging nearly 29 PPG on great efficiency numbers, shooting 52% from the field and 44% on 8 attempts per game. He has had some monster games this year, including a 46 point game in a win over New Orleans. Zach shot 9-14 from deep in that game by the way. LeVine has said he would return to the dunk contest if he is an All-Star, and he deserved the spot this year. Get LaVine in the dunk contest and the 3-point shootout this year!

Wild Card: Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons’ PPG don’t jump off the screen at you. 15.7 a night? All-Star? Simmons is also averaging 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game for the best team in the Eastern Conference. He can score when he would like to, like when he dropped a career high 42 points on the league leading Utah Jazz. Simmons makes my team because of his abilities on defense. He is one of the only people in the NBA who can truly guard 1-5 and is in the conversation as the best on-ball defender in the league. Simmons makes it because he does it on both floor exceptionally and the 76ers deserve more than one All-Star.

Western Conference:

Guard: Damian Lillard

Like Harden, I thought Dame should’ve started this game. He tied in voting with Luka Doncic, but lost the fan voting and therefore lost the starting spot. But Dame is an MVP candidate this year and the biggest lock in both conferences to make the reserves. His leadership this year in dragging the Trail Blazers to the 5th seed without the other 2 best players should be rewarded. I won’t go too in deep, because everyone should agree with me here.

Guard: Donovan Mitchell

Charles Barkley was big mad that Donovan isn’t starting this year. But he also voted Jordan Clarkson into the game so he can chill a little. Mitchell is putting up career highs in points, rebound, and assists this year for the Jazz, who happen to be the best team in the league. Utah is a remarkable 25-6 this year and have been the best team for a while. This isn’t a flash in the pan, they’ve been the one seed for weeks now. Donovan has helped this team create a new, 3-point shooting, identity and he is a shoe in for the reserves. Plus he made it last year, which always helps.

Forward: Rudy Gobert

Let’s keep talking Jazz! Rudy Gobert is another lock to be on the bench. He is the best defensive player in the league this year, leading the association in defensive rating per 100 possessions. His rating on 100 is basically the best possible score you can get in defensive rating, but Rudy’s score has been in double digits at points this year. Defensive big men still matter, especially when leading the 2nd best defense in the league.

Forward: Anthony Davis

AD has missed some time this season and will probably need an injury replacement, but he deserves the All-Star nod. The best power forward in basketball has been an anchor for the Lakers this year. His scoring numbers are down, but they are still above many of the other candidates for this spot, especially at his position. This may sound cheesy, but Davis is at a place in his career where he deserves to be part of this game every year. It’s going to be more interesting to see who they bring in to replace him.

Forward: Paul George

PG is quietly having another All-Star season for the Clippers. Admittedly, the Clippers have been a quiet team so far this year. Not in terms of record, the are 22-10, but in terms on expectations. After flaming out last year, everyone is just waiting for the playoffs in Clippers district LA. In the meantime, PG is averaging over 20 points a game for the 7th time in his career. His abilities on the defensive side of the have slipped, but that’s not what it takes to be an All-Star today, unless your Ben Simmons. PG is having his best overall season since finishing 3rd in MVP voting 2 years ago. His spot on the West bench seems secure to me.

Wild Card: Chris Paul

Maybe this should be Devin Booker, I had to pick between the two. I chose Chris Paul for what he has been able to do with this Suns franchise this year. Similar to what he did in OKC last year, which earned him an All-Star nod, Paul has the 4th seed in the West. They are basically a playoff lock this year and looked the best they have since Steve Nash left. Paul is been incredibly efficient with the ball this year and has been the leader of this team. I wouldn’t be surprised if Booker made it over him, and Book is defiantly on the injury replacement short list, but give me CP3 this time.

Wild Card: Zion Williamson

C’mon, you know you want Zion in the All-Star game. Williamson has made they leap into All-Star form in his sophomore season. He is averaging 25 points, 7 rebound, and 3 assists a night for the Pelicans. He has looked like a grown man amongst boys out on the court this year. I watched Daniel Theis bounce off this year at like 6 times on Sunday night against the Celtics. He is shooting an insanely efficient 62% from the field on the season as well. Lines like his season best 36 points on 14-15 shooting and 8-11 from the line are not uncommon for Zion. Yeah, you read that right, 14-15! Zion is the biggest rising star in the league and deserves to be named an All-Star for the first time in his career.

Possible Injury Replacement:

East: Tobias Harris, Bam Adebayo, Trae Young, Gordon Hayward, Jerami Grant

West: Devin Booker, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Ingram, Mike Conley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander