The starters for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game have been decided, and now it’s time to turn our attention to the reserves.
Seven players from each conference will be selected Tuesday to showcase their talents on the big stage Feb. 18 in Los Angeles. Before the official announcement is released, here are our picks.
Eastern Conference
Backcourt: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
A major piece of the trade that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City, Oladipo has exceeded all expectations during his first year in Indiana. The 25-year-old is averaging better than 24 points per game for a Pacers team that surprisingly sits sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Backcourt: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Beal continues to make strides in his development, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game. Look for the sixth-year player to earn his first all-star nod.
Frontcourt: Al Horford, Boston Celtics
With Kyrie Irving guaranteed a starting spot, the Boston Celtics need a second representative as a hat tip to the impressive season they’re putting together without Gordon Hayward. Enter Horford, whose numbers don’t jump off the page, but whose presence is crucial to Boston’s success.
Frontcourt: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
“The Unicorn” is thriving with Carmelo Anthony no longer in New York. Porzingis is averaging 23.3 points and leads the NBA in blocks per game. Not bad for the guy who was booed relentlessly on draft night.
Frontcourt: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have cooled off of late after their hot start, but Drummond is still putting together an all-star-calibre campaign. Drummond leads the league in rebounds per game at a whopping 15, and also contributes 14.3 points at a 54 per cent shooting clip. One of the worst free-throw shooters in league history (career 41 per cent), Drummond has improved dramatically this season, converting 63 per cent of his trips to the charity stripe.
Wild card: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
In a similar boat as Horford, Lowry should make his fourth all-star game and give the second-place Raptors a second representative behind starter DeMar DeRozan. Lowry’s numbers are down as Toronto tries to more effectively manage his minutes, but he’s still pouring in 17 points and 6.7 assists a night while shooting 40 per cent from three-point range.
Wild card: John Wall, Washington Wizards
Honourable mentions to outstanding rookie Ben Simmons and (sick?) Cleveland big man Kevin Love but Wall claims the final spot for leading the Eastern Conference in assists.
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Western Conference
Backcourt: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
He’s not averaging a triple-double, but he’s still a lock for his seventh all-star appearance. The new-look Thunder are trending up after a shaky start and now own the fifth seed in the Western Conference, due in large part to Westbrook’s prowess.
Backcourt: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves
Butler established himself as one of the NBA’s marquee two-way stars during his time with the Chicago Bulls, and nothing has changed in his first season with the Timberwolves. He’s been a perfect complement to the young core in Minnesota, leading the team in scoring and providing leadership in the locker room.
“I’m glad we lost,” Butler said after a recent defeat. “We came in here on our high horse, thinking we’re a really good team and we haven’t done anything yet. Good for us, man.”
Frontcourt: LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
With Kawhi Leonard missing all but nine games of the 2017-18 season, Aldridge will take up the Spurs’ all-star torch. The honour is certainly well-deserved as the veteran is averaging 22.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, giving San Antonio the legitimate go-to scoring option they need in Leonard’s absence.
Frontcourt: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
His numbers are down from last year, but Towns has been a beast for a Minnesota team finally realizing its potential. He probably should have been a 2017 all-star, but he’ll get the first of what should be many berths in 2018.
Frontcourt: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Green, not Steph Curry, leads the NBA-best Warriors in assists per game. He is also Golden State’s best defender and rebounder. Don’t let the 11.3 points scare you off, Green is very deserving of an all-star spot.
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Wild card: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
With Curry and Kevin Durant already starting and Green in line for a reserve selection, Golden State could very well boast one-third of the Western Conference’s player pool if Thompson can make his fourth consecutive all-star game. Thompson’s defensive versatility is an underrated part of his game and offensively he’s making an NBA-best 45 per cent of his three-point attempts.
Wild card: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers’ best player has just missed the cut in recent seasons, but this year he has the highest scoring average of any player not already in the all-star starter’s pool at 25.2 per game. Portland is hanging tough in the West’s playoff race and deserves to have a representative at Staples Centre.
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