NBA ALL STARS 2022

Who should the 24 All Stars be?

Firstly before we start I think we need to address the issues I have with the format of the All-Star voting system.

1. 12 Players is not enough- We’ve grown into a league where a team has a 15 man roster. Selecting 12 means we are leaving out clear players who deserve to be in the team.
2. Position-less basketball has been the name of the game the last few years in the NBA so why is that the All-Star game has positions? I get that we need to have some big guys but shouldn’t the most deserving players be all stars regardless of position?
3. People need to forget about the status of a player when voting them into the game. You should focus on this year alone and I think I have done that and wish the NBA voters do it too.
4. If the All-Star game is not East vs West, why is the voting? Kind of redundant.
5. I would love to see a coaches vote too, that would be so fun in my eyes.
6. Some of the positions that have been listed for players are so stupid like DeMar is listed as a guard and he has not played there at all this year for Chicago.

That being said here are my votes for 12 spots on each Conference.

Starters- 2 Guards 3 Front Court

Subs- 2 Guards 3 Front Courts 2 Any Position

TEAM WEST (STARTERS)

Guard: Stephen Curry- Golden State Warriors (CAPTAIN)

Steph is having an MVP type season yet again. Breaking the all time 3 point record and is on the team with best record in the NBA. Though it is funny to say that his shooting has actually dipped this year statistically.

Guard: Donovan Mitchell- Utah Jazz

Remember last year when the disrespect to Utah was real? Well it is back again. Donovan is the lead scorer on the 3rd best team in the league and should be in the MVP conversation. With Conley’s production reducing Donovan has become even better.

Front Court: Paul George- Los Angeles Clippers

While he is injured right now he is said to come back in the next week or 2. PG deserves his respect. Carrying the Clippers team this year as they are 14–12 with him but 5–7 without him. PG is having his best statistical year since the MVPG days while also averaging a career high in assists.

Front Court: LeBron James- Los Angeles Lakers

I feel bad for the King as a 37 year old having to play heavy minutes for his team to stand a chance. LeBron has played all 5 positions this year and is averaging the most points per game he has since his first stint in Cleveland. He is also shooting his second best % from 3 and from the FT line. Ageing like a fine wine.

Front Court: Nikola Jokic- Denver Nuggets

This guy keeps getting better. Having a historical season on offence and defence and keeping the Nuggets afloat without MPJ or Jamal Murray and with constant injuries. The reigning MVP is once again in the race and is averaging a crazy 14 rebounds a game too. What a player!

TEAM EAST (STARTERS)

Guard: Zach LaVine- Chicago Bulls

Zach LaVine has adjusted to life as a second option even better than we expected. The Bulls have the best record in the East currently and LaVine is averaging a cool 26 points a game on 40% from deep. I can see an argument for Trae Young here but I think the winning should make Zach the starter along with…

Guard: DeMar DeRozan- Chicago Bulls

As I write this, he has back-to-back buzzer beaters. I cannot believe he is not in the MVP race. DeMar is reborn this year averaging 26 a game continuing his role as primary facilitator. His best scoring year since Toronto and his best year from 3. DeMar DeBackToTheAllStarGame. Also why the hell is he a guard NBA? He ain’t play there all year.

Front Court: Kevin Durant- Brooklyn Nets (CAPTAIN)

KD is a walking bucket. The ‘7’ footer is scoring an effortless 30 a game. He’s been unstoppable from the mid range and sometimes just carries that Nets offense with how unbelievable he is on O.

Front Court: Giannis Antetokounmpo- Milwaukee Bucks

How does a 2 time MVP and recent finals MVP manage to get better? He’s managed to get a somewhat consistent 15 footer and has become an even better defender on top of him averaging 28, 11 and 6 a game and leading the Bucks to the 3rd seed in the East.

Front Court: Joel Embiid- Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid scores 25 points a game and lead them on the defensive end as one of the best paint protectors. He is unstoppable in the post and is now shooting 40% from 3. Unstoppable. He has improved slightly as a playmaker and a leader without Simmons and is the sole reason for Philly being above 500 by 4 games.

BENCH GUARDS WEST:

Ja Morant- Memphis Grizzlies and Chris Paul- Pheonix Suns

Ja is insane. Leading this young Grizzlies team putting up 25 a night as this Grizzlies team are 4th in the West. His freakish athleticism and improved 3 point shooting means he should be a lock in for all star. Chris Paul’s counting stats aren’t flashy but he leads the league in assists and steals and leads the Suns in defensive win shares. The Point God continues his amazing play despite his age as the Suns are the 2nd best team in the association.

BENCH GUARDS EAST:

Trae Young- Atlanta Hawks and James Harden- Brooklyn Nets

It’s funny how they both were getting clowned for the rule changes and taking time to get adjusted. Well Trae albeit his Hawks suck right now is having either his best or 2nd best season putting up 28 points and 9.5 assists a game whilst Harden has recovered from his dreadful start and is now putting up a near triple double putting up 22 points 8 rebounds and 9.9 assists a game, accepting his secondary role and scarily enough this isn’t even his best version.

BENCH FRONT COURT WEST:

Karl-Anthony Towns- Minnesota Timberwolves, Draymond Green- Golden State Warriors and Rudy Gobert- Utah Jazz

KAT is a shooting guard in a centre’s body. An unstoppable offensive force who shoots 42% from deep and puts up 24 points a game . This T’Wolves team is energetic and fun and when your centre comes off pin down screen. Well, GG.

Draymond Green has been reborn. The ultimate defensive player locking up 1–5. He is surely a lock in for DPOY. Draymond numbers are unflattering on offense till you realize he’s one of the best passers in the game and the best defender in the NBA. 8 Points 8 Rebounds and 8 Assists a game. He better be an all-star.

Rudy is the best paint protector in the game. ANT was on crack in that interview. I think people clown Rudy wayyyyyyy too much, he’s all-time on defence. He leads the NBA in rebounds per game and sure he leaves a lot to be desired on offence but he contributes so much to the Jazz and he also leads the NBA in win shares. Stop the hate.

BENCH FRONT COURT EAST:

Jayson Tatum- Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler- Miami Heat and Jarrett Allen- Cleveland Cavaliers

JT began the season struggling with the Celtics but has ended up averaging 25.6 points a game. Sure the Celtics are inconsistent but JT has stepped up and delivered.

Jimmy Butler has only played 23 games out of 38 for Miami but in those 23 alone has showed why he is an all star. He is a great passer and has upped his scoring to about 23 a game on par with his career best while also remaining as one of the best leaders and defenders in the NBA. Hopefully he remains healthy. The Miami team looks in shambles without him.

The Fro should be an all-star this year. To begin he is an insane lob target and insane rim protector. But when you dive deeper he puts up 17 points a game (career high) and has improved footwork and post moves. He is also top 5 in win shares and defensive rating this year, plus Cleveland is 21–17 right now so… I think he deserves it.

RANDOM POSITIONS WEST:

Luka Doncic- Dallas Mavericks and Devin Booker- Pheonix Suns

Luka has struggled this year but is still averaging a crazy 25, 8 and 8 and if his team and coach were any better he would be in the MVP discussion. Unfortunately, his team sucks right now but Luka magic still exists.

Devin Booker has maintained being the Suns leading scorer putting up 24 a game shooting an insane 42% from 3 on 6.5 attempts a game. He consistently takes and makes tough shots and I feel he is more deserving than Lillard for the last spot because of his contributions leading to a winning team.

RANDOM POSITIONS EAST:

Fred VanVleet- Toronto Raptors and LaMelo Ball- Charlotte Hornets

Melo has improved even more this year shooting 38% from 3. Also averaging a near 20 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists a game. He is pivotal to the Hornets this season and when he is off the floor the Hornets offensive and defensive ratings falter.

Freddie is having a career year averaging career highs in scoring, assists, rebounding and effective FG%. Freddie has carried this Raptor offense and on some nights looks like the only one who can make a shot. They are still winning games this year and the former G-Leaguer is the reason why. I have him here over Beal and Brown as I feel like his impact to his team right now is huge. They’re the 9 seed even higher than Boston too. If Jaylen was listed as a front court player I would have a huge debate between him and Jimmy.

NOTABLE ABSENTEES EAST AND WEST

Players who deserve some recognition

WEST: Damian Lillard- Portland Trail Blazers, Anthony Edwards- Minnesota Timberwolves, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander- OKC Thunder and Andrew Wiggins- Golden State Warriors.

EAST: Bradley Beal- Washington Wizards, Jrue Holiday- Milwaukee Bucks, Bam Adebayo- Miami Heat, Tobias Harris- Philadelphia 76ers, Darius Garland- Cleveland Cavaliers, Miles Bridges- Charlotte Hornets, Jaylen Brown- Boston Celtics.

At the end of the day we all know this isn’t gonna be the list and everyone is gonna hate the actual NBA list.

But hopefully you agree with me :)