On Sunday, Februrary 19th the 66th NBA All-Star Game will take place in New Orleans: 5 starters in each conference are selected by the voting of the fans, and 7 substitutes NBA coaches select each. Here are my predictions:
The "no-brainers"
James Harden (Rockets): Harden is leading the league in assists at 11.9 per game while still averaging 28.4 pts/game. Houston stands at 27-9 and is 4th in the league. Very strong MVP candidate.
LeBron James (Cavaliers): LeBron is the star of the East-leading Cavs and is totally in control of his game. At 32-years old, King James is averaging a career high in assists and seems stronger than ever.
Russell Westbrook (Thunder): The guy is averaging a triple double (30.9 ppg, 10.5 apg, 10.5 rpg). Next.
Kevin Durant (Warriors): New-found leader of the Warriors who stand at 31-5. Career highs in several stats.
Steph Curry (Warriors): His numbers went down, but are still very solid (24.2 ppg, 5.8 apg, 4.3 rpg and leading the NBA in three pointers made).
Isaiah Thomas (Celtics): He will be the smallest guy on the court on February 19th, but he will have deserved it in a big way (27.8ppg)
Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers): Irving is playing his best ball and has been a very good lieutenant to King James to lead the Cavs.
Anthony Davis (Pelicans): The Brow is staying away from injuries and is playing at an incredible level.
Second in the league in scoring, in desperate need of lieutenants in NO.
DeMarcus Cousins (Kings): Boogie sees himself as the best big man in the NBA and numbers give him the right to do so (28.6ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.4bpg)
Damian Lillard (Trailblazers): Dame has been improving each year and his non-selection to last year's event seems to have motivated him even more.
Unstoppable offensively (27 ppg and 6.2 apg).
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): The Human Alphabet is on another level this season and leads his team in all 5 major stats (pts, assists, rbds, steals and blocks).
DeMar DeRozan (Raptors): Started off on fire. Cooled down since but the Raptors are still very thriving.
Kyle Lowry (Raptors): His backcourt combination with DeRozan keeps the Raptors on top - second in the East.
Kawhi Leonard (Spurs): The two-time defender of the year keeps it up on that end of the floor while still improving on offense (24ppg).
Jimmy Butler (Bulls): Also, a very good two-way player, Butler is a leader, is clutch, and puts up great numbers (25.2ppg, 6.8rpg)
The less-obvious picks
Chris Paul (Clippers): CP3 is still a floor general and amongst the best passers of the league. Clippers started off great but are injury-plagued since.
John Wall (Wizards). The Wizards started off very slow, but are on a very positive roll since. Wall is the main reason for that (23.5ppg, 10apg).
Kemba Walker (Hornets): The Hornets keep on improving and stand at 4th in the East and Kemba has often carried them on his shoulders (22.9ppg).
Klay Thompson (Warriors): The Warriors are dominating the league and the "other Splash Brother" is still making it rain. His numbers are up despite the arrival of KD.
Draymond Green (Warriors): His stats may not look incredible, but Green is very valuable to the NBA-leading Warriors and can often turn into a triple-double machine.
Kevin Love (Cavaliers): The Cavs are hot and Love found his game back (21.8ppg, 10.9rpg).
Paul George (Pacers): PG13 is having a frustrating year, but stays a star on a solid team (22.4ppg, 6.5rpg).
Carmelo Anthony (Knicks): Melo isn't the player he used to be but is still very popular and averages 22.1 points a game.
Gordon Hayward (Jazz): The Jazz are a much-improved team and Hayward has rose up to that NBA elite level since coming back from a finger injury (22.4ppg, 6rpg).
Summary:
East: James, Thomas, Irving, Antetokounmpo, DeRozan, Lowry, Butler, Wall, Walker, Love, George, Anthony
West: Harden, Westbrook, Durant, Curry, Davis, Cousins, Lillard, Leonard, Paul, Thompson, Green, Hayward
Honorable mentions: Griffin, Gobert, Towns, Wade, Porzingis, Millsap, Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Embiid
