Here are the 2018 NBA All-Star Game starters
These players were voted starters, but the game’s new format means they might not play on the same team.
The NBA All-Star starters for both conferences have finally been announced. These have been the best of the best players in the league this season. There’s nothing here that we should be totally surprised by — most of these are names we’ve heard. Joel Embiid is the only first-time starter in the group.
LeBron James and Stephen Curry led the way in votes for their conferences, respectively. While we’ve got our starters voted in, we do have to remember that these players might not necessarily play together due to the new format of the captains — James and Curry -- picking the teams. This explains how that’ll work.
Once the All-Star reserves are selected by the coaches, we’ll know what the complete rosters look like. After that we’ll have a draft process to see who is squadding up with who.
This is just a taste of what the final product will be and it’s a pretty good one. These are names we’re used to, but they’re all incredible at basketball. This game is going to be fun.
Eastern Conference:
Irving stepped out of James’ shadow and it turned out to be the best decision he’s made in his career so far. He’s averaging 24 points per game and is the motor that keeps the Celtics’ offense churning. He’s having the best season of his career, so it’s a no-brainer he’d get the start.
DeRozan has reshaped his game and is playing the best ball of his career. His scoring has dipped a bit, but his efficiency has improved and he’s showing playmaking skills we hadn’t seen before. Plus, he’s shooting a career high 35 percent from three. This is well-deserved.
You’re tired of hearing this by now, but James is 33 years old and is in his 15th season in the NBA. Yet he’s averaging career highs in assists and blocks and is shooting 56 percent from the field. The Cavaliers haven’t hit their peak yet, but James is as good as he’s ever been. Of course he’s an All-Star starter.
Antetokounmpo is going to be an All-Star starter for the next 10 years at the very least. He does whatever he wants on the floor. Need a point guard? He can do that. Need a bucket? He’ll get you one. Need a big man? He can do that for you too. He’s truly something we’ve never seen before and he’s only 23 years old.
Joel Embiid
Embiid’s combination of size and skill are terrifying. Think Hakeem Olajuwon meets Shaquille O’Neal — that’s what Embiid is. He’s averaging 23.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 blocks. He’s simply been incredible and is the reason why the 76ers have gone from being one of the worst teams in the league to to a playoff contender in an improved East.
Western Conference:
Stephen Curry has missed a lot of time this season, but when he’s played he’s been on fire. He’s averaging 27.6 points and is a field goal percentage point away from joining the 50-40-90 club for the second time in three years. He simply doesn’t miss anything.
Harden has probably been the season’s MVP so far. He’s leading the league in scoring at 32.3 points per game and is still finding a way to average 9.1 assists. He’s solidified himself as one of the best five players in the league this season.
Durant has still been the efficient scorer he always has, but he’s also leading the Warriors with 2.1 blocks per game and has been in the top three all season long at the category. Somehow he still finds ways to improve in his 10th season.
The Pelicans haven’t been as successful as they’d hoped to be so far this season, but that isn’t a reflection on Davis’ play. Averaging 26.7 points on 57 percent shooting, he’s been unguardable.
Boogie is back at it again, and in his first full season in New Orleans, he’s showing that big men haven’t gone out of style; they’ve just switched their style up. Gone are the days of traditional back-to-the-basket bigs. Cousins is brute strength mixed with a guard’s mentality. He’s averaging 25 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and more than a steal and a block per game. And his ability to mesh with Anthony Davis is why the Pelicans are in the hunt to return back to the playoffs.