The NBA All-Star starters are starting to take shape, and it’s a tough race in the Eastern Conference. This year’s roster is full of stars, including Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Donovan Mitchell. But who are the best players in each conference?
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both in the mix for an All-Star Game start. They are both among the top vote getters in the NBA. But the two aren’t necessarily on the same trajectory to make the cut.
Despite his incredible start to the season, Doncic is still behind the Memphis Grizzlies’ high-flyer in the voting. Even so, Doncic is in a strong position to start the All-Star Game in Utah on Sunday.
He is currently averaging 33.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, he ranks in the top 20 in scoring, assists, rebounds, steals, and assists per minute.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
In the race to be a reserve for the 2023 All-Star Game, there are a few tough choices to make. One of them is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His strong numbers and deep playoff run have put him in the top four among Western Conference backcourt options.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the most impressive players in the NBA this season, and his emergence may have earned him a spot on the All-Star roster. He has never been selected to an All-Star game, though, and there are a few reasons why he might not receive that honor this year.
Although Gilgeous-Alexander is likely to get a call-up to the All-Star Game, the Thunder have a number of other players who could see their names in the record books come October. The most obvious would be Steph Curry. But he hasn’t played enough games this season to make a case for a starting role.
Anthony Davis
Those involved in the All-Star Game are all putting up all-star numbers. They’re not only getting their name called, but they’re winning games.
LeBron James is an MVP candidate. He leads the NBA in assists and is averaging more than 8.5 rebounds per game. And he’s still unstoppable at the rim. His teammates aren’t exactly doing the same.
There’s also Jayson Tatum, who’s been a revelation this season. He’s averaging 31.0 points per game, which is third in the league. He’s playing like the best player on the best team in the NBA. That’s impressive, considering he’s only played in 29 games so far.
Damian Lillard
Choosing the Eastern and Western Conference starters for the All-Star Game was a difficult task. But many players have stepped up their game this season and deserve a chance to play.
Damian Lillard has had one of the best seasons of his career. He has been averaging 29.3 points and shooting over 50% from the field. His true shooting percentage is also up to a career high.
James Harden is back to his All-NBA level. In addition to his potent offense, he is also a great defensive player.
Ja Morant has had a great season. After averaging a mere 28 points and eight rebounds per game in his first season, he is averaging almost twice as much with 19.3 points and 12.6 rebounds.
De’Aaron Fox
With the All-Star Game just around the corner, fans are looking for a sneak peek at the best players of the NBA. However, the All-Star selections are just a small portion of the pie. The fan vote is still the biggest piece of the pie, but it’s no longer the sole determining factor. In fact, there are many great players who deserve an All-Star nod.
So which players are worthy of a starting spot in the NBA All-Star Game? To determine the starters, the league’s coaches have to narrow down the field to the top 12 candidates in each conference.
While the starters will be announced on Thursday, the rest of the rosters will be unveiled in February. That gives fans a sneak peek at the best players of each conference, but also the chance to make their own choices.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell is one of the most reliable All-Star candidates this year. With his impressive performance this season, he is expected to be a starter in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in an offseason trade. In his first season with the Cavs, Mitchell has enjoyed a career year. He has averaged a career-high 28.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. This season, he has also made two All-Star appearances.
During his career, Donovan Mitchell has been a three-time All-Star. His best game was against the Chicago Bulls. He shot 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range. That’s good for a ninth-ranked shooting split.
