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  • Joseph Arthur

Predicting the 2020 All-Star Starters


Photo: FCP Editing

Written by Joseph Arthur (joe_arthur2010)


With the All-Star break fast approaching and fan voting in full swing, it’s time to take a look at who deserves to be a starter in Chicago.


We’ve seen prospects blossom into stars, supposedly ‘washed’ veterans prove the doubters wrong and past MVP’s take their games to new levels.


So who should be suiting up as All-Star starters? Let’s break it down.


Western Conference Starters


Guard – Luka Doncic: 28.9ppg, 9.7reb, 9.0ast

+*All stats accurate as of 21/01/20, via https://www.basketball-reference.com/


Doncic’s first All-Star appearance will likely be his first time as a starter too. The 20-year-old sophomore has been historically great this season, putting up numbers that suggest he is a generational level talent. The budding young star has put himself firmly in the MVP conversation in just his second season, and more importantly, has his team poised for a playoff run with the possibility of home-court advantage in the first round on the cards. If Curry wasn’t injured, perhaps this conversation would require more debate, but that isn’t the case. Nothing more needs to be said, Luka will be starting.


Guard – James Harden: 37.1ppg, 6.2reb, 7.5ast


Love him or hate him this polarising star puts the ball in the basket. Harden is averaging over 35 points a game and has twice as many 40-point outings this season as anybody else. The former MVP is amidst yet another brilliant offensive run and is without much competition for the second guard spot out West. Injuries and down seasons from Lillard and Westbrook thus far has made filling the two positions an easier job than many thought it would be at the beginning of the season. Nonetheless, Harden is an amazing player who has patented his own way of playing the game – we’ll see him starting in Chicago.


Forward – LeBron James: 25.5ppg, 7.7reb, 10.9ast


Appreciate what you are seeing from LeBron and the Lakers. Too many people try too hard to cast James aside as “not as good as Jordan” or “not as successful as Kobe”, when they should just enjoy what he does on the court. Once again, James has proved his doubters wrong by bouncing back from a down (by his standards only) 2018-19 season. Although the Lakers aren’t without their question marks, LeBron and his squad are doing as good of a job winning this season than even the biggest Laker-diehard could have hoped for. However, James is 35 and despite him seeming unstoppable, he can’t do this forever (right?), so enjoy it while you can because this decade will be his last.


Forward – Kawhi Leonard: 26.9ppg, 7.3reb, 5.1ast


The Clippers have been a little up and down but Kawhi Leonard has been unshakable for a squad still trying to find its identity. Sometimes he is simply unstoppable. Offensively, from once relying on his interior finishing and mid-range game, he’s now been a plus shooter, tight ball-handler and positive play-maker for years. Currently enjoying a career high in assists, Leonard has turned just about all his former weaknesses into strengths.


The claw’s defence hasn’t been what it was when he won back-to-back defensive players of the year, likely because of his role handling the offence and yet it is still menacing. He has been stifling opposing offences in crunch-time and causing headaches for anyone daring enough to try him one-on-one. Although the two-time champ has made his name in the playoffs and his constant ‘load management’ makes his regular-season-self polarising, Leonard is a beast and deserves to be in this line-up.


Forward – Anthony Davis: 27.1ppg, 9.4reb, 3.2ast


Say what you will about his move to the Lakers but Anthony Davis is flourishing alongside LeBron James. A leading candidate for defensive player of the year, he is top five in the league in blocks per game and is making defensive reads unlike anybody else in the league. His defence alone is running teams off the court and winning games, but Davis is doing more than his fair share on the offensive end too. Pouring in over 27-points a game, his interior finishing and inside shooting is simply outstanding. His three-point shot hasn’t been as effective as he would like or expect and his rebounds are down compared to past seasons, but AD is firmly in the hunt for an All-Star starting position.


The only argument against him is that All-Star starting line-ups typically have a center and Davis rarely plays at the five, but in the day and age of position-less basketball that should hardly matter. And if a starting line-up with a power forward at the five is good enough for the All NBA teams, then it’s good enough for All-Star weekend.


Eastern Conference Starters


Guard – Kemba Walker: 22.1ppg, 4.0reb, 4.9ast


Woah, the East is tough. Kemba is a no-brainer pick for a guard spot almost by default. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been terrific in Boston and on a team with so much scoring Kemba has proved to be the most consistent option for the Celtics, particularly in crunch-time. Starting in the upcoming game in Chicago would make it consecutive All-Star starts for Walker, something that may surprise a few, or even be dismissed as a poor indictment on the strength of guards in the East. However, that would be an unfair and inaccurate assessment.


The truth is, Walker makes his teammates better, perhaps he isn’t as glamorous or flashy as others, perhaps his stats don’t jump off the page like some, but there is no doubting his stardom. Just look at his Celtics, currently sitting fourth in the East. Since moving to Boston, Kemba has maintained his high level of play from Charlotte and helped future stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown blossom, whilst also helping to usher in the resurgence of fallen star Gordon Hayward. Three things one particular East-based guard failed to do last season, a guard who may be heralded by many as a better player than Walker.


No disrespect to Kyrie Irving intended, but Kemba Walker deserves all the success he is getting. Making your teammates better isn’t always about finding them with more assists, sometimes it’s about playing your role and picking the appropriate moments to take over.

Guard – Jimmy Butler: 20.3ppg, 7.0reb, 6.4ast


Now I know what you’re saying and I’m aware that Butler is listed as a forward in the voting system. This is a full-on revolt, he’s been a guard before, he can be a guard again and this is the only way, in my opinion, to ensure those who deserve to be starting from the East get the opportunity to do so. Sorry to Trae Young but wins and defence matter at least a little bit and apologies Kyle Lowry, who has been incredible this season, but I’m going with Siakam in the starting line-up and the Raptors don’t quite justify having two starters.


The Heat are second in the West and although things like Eric Spoelstra’s coaching, Bam Adebayo’s improvement and terrific rookie seasons to date from Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn have been helpful, Butler has led Miami’s charge. He is a capable scorer from anywhere on the court, solid off the catch and very good at creating his own shots. But what’s told the tale of Butler’s season has been his passing. Averaging a career high in assists, his improved vision makes all of his teammates better, think Duncan Robinson and all the looks he’s getting. Jimmy has also played his typical elite one-on-one defence, not shying away from the tough assignments and forcing stops in crunch-time. It’s ludicrous that he isn’t listed as both a guard and a forward.


Forward – Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30.0pts, 12.8reb, 5.5ast


Very little needs to be said about this pick. Last year, Giannis was the MVP and this season all he’s done is improve. The Greek Freak’s numbers are up across the board and suddenly he’s shooting 33% from deep on over four attempts a game. Other teams should be very afraid of the Bucks. The only knock on Giannis is the dip in his free-throw percentage, falling to 61.2% on the year, yikes. But forget that until playoffs, because he’s well on the way to winning back-to-back MVP’s and will be a team captain in Chicago without a doubt.


Forward – Pascal Siakam: 23.8pts, 7.5reb, 3.6ast


Yes he’s missed a bit of time and has struggled to find a rhythm since being back, but don’t forget this guy was easily top five in the MVP race two months into the season. Last year’s most improved has gone from strength to strength and done a terrific job filling the Kawhi void for the Raptors, who are third in the East. Improving across the board once again, the most exciting thing about Siakam has been the type of shots he’s been getting to drop. The young star has found a way to consistently create his own offence when his team needs it and find spots on the floor where he can become an instant bucket. If you don’t love this story, you don’t love NBA basketball (shout-out Grant Napear).


Forward – Joel Embiid: 23.4pts, 12.3eb, 3.3ast


Man if this guy could stay healthy it would be something. Once again, the Sixers will be going weeks without Embiid on the floor due to his health. However, this time the injury was nothing more than a freak accident. One innocuous collision and suddenly he’s got a dislocated finger which will require another surgery…poor guy can’t catch a break. Now, the Sixers have been up and down to start 2020 and by Embiid’s lofty standards he’s actually been having a down season, but this is just a reflection of how dominant this individual has become. A 20 and 10 season isn’t good enough in the eyes of the critics. Embiid still struggles with his trail three’s and the lack of chemistry with Ben Simmons is concerning, but what he has done this season is good enough to be a starter in the All-Star game. Let’s leave it at that for now.

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