Both the NBA All-Star starters and reserves have been announced. Lakers F LeBron James will captain one team while Bucks F Giannis Antetokoumpo will captain the other. In light of the draft being only days away, fellow PerSources staff writer Oisin Browne and I will conduct our own mock draft. Oisin will have the role of Antetokoumpo while I’ll take control of leading vote-getter LeBron James’ team.
First Round (Starters)
#1 – Warriors SF Kevin Durant (Team LeBron)
Who else could you’ve expected? LeBron is as competitive as they come, and he’s going to want the best players possible. Durant is quietly averaging 27.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He’s arguably the second-best player in the league, and this season has been no different. Although Durant and LeBron had some conflict over things said by Durant about playing with LeBron, that shouldn’t stop him from being drafted first overall. The “Easymoneysniper” is as good as they come. In a pool with the best basketball players in the world, Durant surely stands out above the rest.
#2 – Warriors PG Stephen Curry (Team Giannis)
Two-time MVP Steph Curry has been his usual self this season, averaging 29.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG and 5.4 APG on the stacked Golden State Warriors. While not averaging a career-high in any basic stat, Curry’s overall game seems to be (somehow) getting even better. He also has the comfort of knowing that if he has a bad night any of Klay Thompson, KD, and Boogie Cousins can go off for 30+ points. While there could potentially be problems for the Warriors after free agency this summer, right now Steph & Co. should have little difficulty winning another chip.
#3 – Raptors SF Kawhi Leonard (Team LeBron)
Kawhi Leonard is (debatably) the best player in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are among the best teams in the East, and that’s largely due to Leonard’s work. Media and fans alike are starting to take Toronto seriously as a team that can make it to the NBA Finals. Because of Kawhi, the Raptors are a threat to anyone in the NBA. Averages of 27.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists show the damage Leonard would be able to do as a part of Team LeBron. Everyone knows that Kawhi would be able to put the clamps onto any player that opposes him. LeBron with Durant and Leonard is already a nightmare for Team Antetokoumpo.
#4 – Rockets SG James Harden (Team Giannis)
“The Beard” is having a career year, averaging 36.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists for the Houston Rockets. Harden’s scoring has been entirely unrivaled not only this season but in the history of the NBA. Only Wilt Chamberlain (five times) and Michael Jordan (once) have put up more PPG than Harden’s current pace.
While some have criticized Harden for taking too many shots, he’s guiding the team further up the Western Conference rankings. After their abysmal start, the Rockets are now sixth and only 2.5 games behind the fourth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers. It’d be a surprise if Harden didn’t win the MVP award again this season.
#5 – Celtics PG Kyrie Irving (Team LeBron)
Yes, Kyrie is obviously having a good season but think about the storylines this pick could make. Kyrie and LeBron aren’t only former teammates but were NBA champions together. There have also been reports that Kyrie may very well be interested in reuniting with LeBron. Perhaps the All-Star Game would be a nice preview of that. After the prior picks, Team LeBron has all the size that they need, and with Irving on the squad, the starting lineup is near perfect. The dynamic duo days of Kyrie and LeBron are some that all fans will be reminiscing about if this pick happens.
#6 – 76ers C Joel Embiid (Team Giannis)
Joel Embiid has been an absolute monster for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. He’s averaging 27.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while guiding the Sixers to the third spot in the East. His physicality combined with his ruthless attitude has left ‘The Process” looking like the best center in the conference and, arguably, in the entire league. The scary thing is that this is only his third season in the NBA. Embiid could prove to be one of the franchise’s greatest players if he continues to improve.
#7 – Thunder SF Paul George (Team LeBron)
Paul George is one of the hottest players in the NBA this season. He’s having a career year in all aspects of his game. Although I questioned whether he deserved a starting spot over Anthony Davis, he’s here nonetheless. George is averaging 27.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists which is remarkable. It’s safe to say that George is in his absolute prime. With him on team LeBron, it’s just another pure-scorer added to the team.
#8 – Hornets PG Kemba Walker (Team Giannis)
Kemba Walker is also having his best year yet, averaging 24.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists for the Charlotte Hornets. This is his first start in the All-Star Game, which is in his own city. Leading the Hornets into playoff contention has been impressive, even in the pretty poor Eastern Conference. The Hornets have only made it to the postseason three times this decade and were swept in two of the three series they played. Kemba has been the clear leader of the team, and his game is only further improving. Charlotte will be hoping Kemba doesn’t test free agency this summer.
Second Round (Reserves)
#9 – Pelicans PF Anthony Davis (Team Giannis)
It’s difficult to believe that he isn’t a starter, but Anthony Davis has shown his quality yet again as the franchise leader of the New Orleans Pelicans. Averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, Davis has been the best big man in the league yet again. While switching from PF to C multiple times this season, his class has been permanent. Maybe this is why he’s requested to be traded away from New Orleans.
With the Pelicans seemingly nowhere near the playoffs, Davis has grown frustrated and wants out of the franchise. For the All-Star Game, we could see a death lineup of Curry, Harden, Giannis, AD, and Embiid. That would certainly be an exciting side to watch.
#10 – Thunder PG Russell Westbrook (Team LeBron)
It doesn’t matter how bad Westbrook is shooting. He’s averaging a triple-double for the third straight season, and the Thunder are winning while he’s doing it. Don’t forget that this is the All-Star Game, and aside from the team captain, Westbrook is the most athletic player on the court. Westbrook with LeBron is just too many flashy plays and is another 1-2 punch for Team Antetokoumpo to worry about.
#11 – Trailblazers PG Damian Lillard (Team Giannis)
Dame has been his usual self this season, averaging 26.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on the Portland Trail Blazers. Alongside CJ McCollum, Lillard has been shining brightly as the face of the franchise. Although he’s still painfully inconsistent when it comes to scoring, his overall FG% is at a career-high 45%, which is definitely a positive.
What Dame needs to do, however, is try and hit 26 every night instead of 40 one night and 14 the next. His inconsistency is what’s holding him back from being in the MVP conversation. For the time being, he’ll be a threat off the bench for Team Giannis in Charlotte.
#12 – Warriors SG Klay Thompson (Team LeBron)
Durant and Curry have already been drafted to Team LeBron, so why not add Klay Thompson as well? The All-Star Game means points and Thompson gets as many buckets as anyone in the draft pool. “The Splash Brothers” with the two best players in the world is a serious problem. Outside of that, Klay is averaging 21.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as the third option which is more than impressive.
#13 – Pistons PF Blake Griffin (Team Giannis)
Blake Griffin has made himself comfortable on his new team, the Detroit Pistons. Averaging 26.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, Griffin has adapted his game to a degree. While he’s having a career year, he’s playing an entirely different style of basketball. Instead of bullying everyone inside the paint for a poster, he’s playing all around the court to make himself a more dynamic threat on offense. Even if Griffin gets traded, as he requested, he’ll still be a huge asset to whoever takes him. I think most fans will be happy to see Blake back after his injury struggles in recent years.
#14 – Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns (Team Giannis)
Towns is the first C drafted for Team LeBron, but at this point, you need players who can come off the bench and take over the game. This game is about mostly offense, and Towns provides just that. Minnesota hasn’t been having the best season, but Towns is averaging 22.8 points (career-high) and 12.1 rebounds.
He’s been holding his own all year long, but that hasn’t correlated to many wins. Nevertheless, an All-Star nod is an individual nod that he’s deserved. LeBron now has himself a pure rebounder out of Minnesota and someone who may even be a dark horse for All-Star MVP.
#15 – Nuggets C Nikola Jokic (Team Giannis)
If there’s one person that’s entirely unique in the NBA, it’s Nikola Jokic. Averaging 20.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, Jokic is one of the biggest triple-double threats in the league. His passing game makes him one of the most intriguing players in the game. Centers usually spend most of their time in the paint and only get assists from hand-offs or when they can’t bully themselves through the paint.
Jokic is sixth in the league in assists per game. The five players ahead of him are all PGs. While he may lack the blocking numbers of many elite big men, he’s not to be messed with on D either. Jokic may find himself being a starter in next year’s All-Star Game.
#16 – 76ers PG Ben Simmons (Team LeBron)
LeBron James and Ben Simmons, as we all know, belong to the same management group, Klutch Sports. On that note, why wouldn’t he want to pick up Simmons in the only game they’ll probably play on the same team together?
Simmons is having a terrific season alongside Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler. He’s averaging 16.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. With the scorers that are going to be on the court, considering Simmons can’t shoot, he may end up with the most assists in the game. This season though, he’s made the 76ers a prominent and scary team in the East. Many teams would rather see Philly than others, but that’s a tough situation if you run into Simmons, Embiid, Butler and the rest of the Sixers come playoff time.
#17 – Wizards SG Bradley Beal (Team Giannis)
The Washington Wizards may have been the most disappointing team this season, but Bradley Beal has been superb in the absence of John Wall and Dwight Howard. Averaging 24.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, Beal has shown his undeniable quality. Beal is the best SG in the East in the absence of Victor Oladipo, but many fans could argue that he holds that title outright regardless of Dipo’s injury.
Beal has a career-high in nearly every column, but we’ll get a better understanding of where he actually stands when the team is fully healthy again. For the meantime, Beal can pride himself on being the leader of a team who, if nothing else, is too proud to tank.
#18 – Raptors PG Kyle Lowry (Team LeBron)
At this point in the draft, if we’re talking about how they’ll affect the game, these players probably won’t. However, for Lowry, his road to the game was impressive.
He’s averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists for the Raptors this season. The tandem of him and Kawhi is one that has given many teams trouble this season. Enough trouble that the Raptors (as I alluded to before) are an actual threat to make it to the Finals and win it all.
One thing that’s always been notable about Lowry is his three-point shooting. LeBron has often played to drive-and-kick to wide-open shooters. Lowry is one of the perfect players to compliment LeBron’s style of play, so why not add another shooter to the team?
#19 – Spurs PF LaMarcus Aldridge (Team Giannis)
LaMarcus Aldridge will always be in the conversation for an All-Star spot, simply because he always delivers. With the exception of his rookie year, Aldridge has averaged at least 17 PPG every season of his career. He flies under the radar for the majority of the year, but he always seems to have a handful of 40-point games that show us just how good he really is.
This year, he’s averaging 21 PPG and just shy of 9 rebounds, but his leadership is important to note too. Despite the injury-ridden roster the Spurs currently have, Aldridge (alongside Demar DeRozan) has still kept the franchise looking like a playoff team. He may not be the flashiest or the prettiest, but he’s one of the most reliable players in all of basketball right now.
#20 – Nets PG D’Angelo Russell (Team LeBron)
D’Angelo Russell is filling in for the injured SG Victor Oladipo. Some will argue that he deserved the All-Star nod anyways. He’s averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Despite the talk, Russell deserves this spot and is going to make the best of it. The man with ice in his veins may even come through in ways no one had expected. He’s definitely a dark horse All-Star MVP candidate.
#21 – Bucks SF Khris Middleton (Team Giannis)
Khris Middleton has been quietly going about his business this season. With 17.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, Middleton has been a key asset for the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s not setting the world ablaze, but it’s never easy for more than one star to shine brightly in a team-orientated system like Budenholzer’s. Then again, he clearly shined bright enough if he was selected to be an All-Star.
If he can keep this up and help the Bucks to the first seed, we could see another astonishing playoff performance from Middleton. And of course, Giannis would have to select his teammate in the All-Star Draft!
#22 – Magic C Nikola Vucevic (Team LeBron)
15.4 points and 10.0 rebounds. Vucevic isn’t a flashy player, by any means, but he gets the job done. He’s been the standout of the Magic’s terrible season. LeBron will pick him up with the last pick in the draft, but don’t expect much out of him. This All-Star nod is deserved but questionable over players such as Jimmy Butler.
Third Round (Legends)
#23 – Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzski (Team Giannis)
Now, this pick may seem odd given that Dwyane Wade has been a hell of a lot better than Nowitzki this season, but I’m pretty sure everyone and their dog would want to see D-Wade have his “One Last Dance” with LeBron James in Charlotte rather than Giannis. To be fair, Dirk is no pushover either. He won’t run up and down the court for 40 minutes, but he’s still good for a few threes. We might even see the signature Dirk fadeaway.
#24 – Heat SG Dwyane Wade (Team LeBron)
LeBron and D-Wade reunited again. What a sight this would be. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made a special move allowing both Dirk and D-Wade to be added to the draft pool. There’s no doubt in my mind that LeBron will pick Wade and may even try to pull out a legendary alley-oop. These two are brothers both on and off the court, and what better way would there be to cap of Flash’s last ever NBA All-Star Weekend.
Final Rosters
Team Giannis (Oisín Browne):
Starters – Steph Curry, Kemba Walker, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid
Reserves – Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Blake Griffin, Nikola Jokic, Bradley Beal, LaMarcus Aldridge, Khris Middleton, Dirk Nowitzki
Team LeBron (Yaw Bonsu):
Starters – Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Paul George
Reserves – Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Karl Anthony-Towns, Ben Simmons, Kyle Lowry, D’Angelo Russell, Nikola Vuvevic, Dwyane Wade
Did Oisín and I get it right? Are these going to be the exact same teams come February 7, or will there be a shakeup? We’re just going to have to wait and find out