LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were named captains of the two teams for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game next month in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the top vote-getters in each conference, as voted on by the fans, Bron earned captain honors for the sixth time and Giannis for the third.
The other starters in the West are Nikola Jokic, Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry.
The #NBAAllStar Western Conference Starters:
⭐️ LeBron James
⭐️ Nikola Jokic
⭐️ Luka Doncic
⭐️ Zion Williamson
⭐️ Steph Curry pic.twitter.com/3m6IER1Og1— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 27, 2023
The other starters in the East are Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, and Donovan Mitchell.
The #NBAAllStar Eastern Conference Starters:
⭐️ Giannis Antetokounmpo
⭐️ Kevin Durant
⭐️ Donovan Mitchell
⭐️ Jayson Tatum
⭐️ Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/B2UDisxSv2— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 27, 2023
Now that we know whom the fans, media, and players think are the starters, who will be the remaining 14 All-Star reserves? Each team has 12 roster spots. Five starters and seven reserves. We know who they should be.
East Reserves
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
The two-time MVP runner-up is having another dominant season. He’s averaging 33 points per game, which leads the league, and he’s unstoppable when he gets the ball in the paint. Embiid is third in the NBA in EPM at +7 and he’s and he’s an efficient 56 eFG% and 64 TS%.
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Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Haliburton is averaging a career-high 20 points and 10 assists per game — the latter leads the league — for the surprisingly competent Pacers. He’s turned into a legit big-time shotmaker, shooting 40 percent on seven three-point attempts per game. His 58 eFG% and 62 TS% are career-highs and he’s in the 96th percentile in EPM at +5.6.
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Jimmy Butler/Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
It’s either or here because the Heat aren’t getting both guys in. They’re both averaging about 21 points per game. Adebayo is averaging 10 rebounds a game to Butler’s six, and Butler is averaging five assists and two steals per game to Adebayo’s three and one.
Adebayo has played more games and been more available. But Butler has been more impactful on winning. Butler is 10th in EPM at +6. Adebayo is very good at +2.1
James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
He’s not the perennial MVP candidate he was with the Rockets, but he’s still excellent. Harden is averaging 21 points, six rebounds and 11 assists per game. He would lead the league in assists if he played in enough games. He’s an elite passer and playmaker and a great partner for Embiid in the pick and roll.
Harden is shooting 39% on seven three-point attempts per game. His TS% is 62 and he is in the 96th percentile in EPM at +5.3.
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
If any team deserves two All-Stars it’s the league-leading Celtics. Brown is averaging a career-high 26 points and seven rebounds per game. With Tatum he makes up the best wing duo in the NBA. His efficiency is not elite but it’s slightly above average at 55 eFG% and 59 TS%.
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
The do-it-all forward is averaging a career-high 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists per game. He is one of the elite two-way players in the game. The Raptors’ poor record is not because of Siakam. He is in the 92nd percentile in EPM at +3.2.
Trae Young/Jalen Brunson/Jrue Holiday/DeMar DeRozan
Only one spot left and you can make an argument for any of these four players. We’ll go with Holiday because his team is better and he is more impactful to winning than the others.
West Reserves
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Best player on the second-best team in the West, averaging 27 points and eight assists per game. 94th percentile in EPM at +4.4.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
It’s hard to argue with 30 points and seven assists per game on 46/37/90 shooting splits. He is fourth in the NBA in EPM at +6.9.
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Averaging a career-high 24 points and eight rebounds per game for the surprisingly competent Jazz. He’s shooting 43 percent from three on seven three-point attempts per game. Did we mention he’s a seven-footer? He’s an elite 62 eFG% and 67 TS% and in the 97th percentile in EPM at +5.8.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder
A certified bucket-getter averaging 30 points and five assists per game. He attacks the paint and gets to the free-throw line 10 times per game, shooting 91%. He is in the 97th percentile in EPM at +5.8.
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Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Best player on the third-best team in the West. He’s averaging 18 points, league leading 12 rebounds, and seven assists per game. He is the hub of the league’s No. 1 offense. He’s an elite 63 eFG% and 67 TS% and in the 93rd percentile in EPM at +3.6.
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Averaging his customary 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game. He is efficient at 55 eFG% and 60 TS%. He’s shooting 39 percent on seven three-point attempts per game and he’s playing excellent defense as usual. He’s in the 96th percentile in EPM at +5.5.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Twenty-seven points and five assists per game on 47/37/85 shooting splits. The best player on what was a contending team early in the season. He’s in the 94th percentile in EPM at +4.5.
