Greetings my peeps and welcome to the All Things Basketball Podcast with your boy GD.
In this episode, you know what time it is.
All Star starters guys for the NBA will talk about the starters, will talk about possible
reserves and my predictions for each conference, the east and the west as well.
So just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Ok guys, it's your boy GD back with the All Things Basketball with GD Podcast and guys
it's that time of year.
NBA All Star.
The starters have been named now and we will talk all about it.
Now the way they do this is the way they determine who the starter is.
It used to be just fan votes but I guess they say it was too much of a popularity contest
so we are now going to add a different layer to it.
It's now 50% fan votes, 25% player votes, 25% media votes.
That's how you get your starters guys.
So with that said, let us start with the east.
Here's what I'm going to do guys.
I'll give you the starters.
From there I'll give you the possible reserves.
Guys who could end up being reserves picked by the coaches and then I'll give you my choices
for the reserves.
So we'll do it that way.
So we'll start in the east.
In the east you have your three front court guys.
Giannis Antutacumpo who ended up having the most votes of anyone in the east and here's
how his stats break down.
I'll give you everybody's stats as well.
44 games he played scoring 31 points, 11.7 rebounds, over 6 assists, well over a steal
per game and over a block per game.
Juton is 60.8% from the field, 66.4 from the free throw line.
You know how he is from the free throw line.
Giannis your first front court starter for the All-Star game for the east.
Next up, Jolin B who's having a fantastic season once again guys.
He's played in 33 games guys and in those games 36 points he's averaged, 11.4 rebounds,
5.8 assists so he's nearing 6 assists per game, near 2 blocks per game and over a steal
per game for him.
He's shooting it, a shade under 54% from the field, 36.8% from 3 so you know he likes to
launch from there every now and again and nearly automatic at 88.3% from the free throw
line.
Jolin B well deserved starter as always, always in the MVP discussion.
That's Jolin B for you.
And then your third starter, Jason Tatum who like I said he's benefited from the fact
that Kevin Durant was sent west so he doesn't really have anybody blocking him now and he's
made it as a starter.
43 games he played in, 26.8 points per game, 8.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, a steal per game
for him.
Shooting it nearly 47% from the field, 36.4 from 3 and then 81.3 from the free throw line
so Jason Tatum getting his due in the front court for the east.
And then you have the guard situation.
Next up Tyrese Holly Burton not really a surprise there he's played in 34 games guys, 23.6 points
per game over 4 rebounds, leaves the league with 12.6 assists and over a steal per game
guys.
Shooting it 49.6 from the field, 40% from 3 and 86% from the free throw line so Tyrese
Holly Burton that show he put on during the end season tournament I think that got a lot
of eyeballs on him and a lot of interest in him so Tyrese Holly Burton just one starter
at guard position and then in a bit of controversy Dame Lilith makes it as your other starter
in the back court.
He played in 43 games, 25.3 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, nearly 7 assists and over a
steal per game for him.
Shooting it only 42.3% from the field, 34.5 from 3 and pretty much automatic at 92.2%
from the free throw line.
Dame makes it as the second starter in a bit of controversy because Jalen Brunson was right
there in the mix he was high amongst the players rankings he was high amongst the media rankings.
What did Jalen Brunson in?
The fan voting which why I talked about it at nauseam about Nick fans not voting not
voting for their guy.
This was the year guys this was the year where you really should have stuffed the box for
Jalen Brunson to be a starter.
This was the year because of the volatility at the guard position.
Of course you could go for a guy like Donovan Mitchell, Trey Young, I think he came in third
in the voting.
Nick fans should have stuffed the boxes for Brunson they did not do that so they only
have themselves to blame guys that Jalen Brunson is not a starter in this all-star game.
If they had him at least coming about third or fourth we wouldn't be having this discussion
he'd be a starter.
So that's the bit of controversy there but nonetheless those are your five starters guys.
Now let's talk about the reserves.
We'll start in Boston with Jalen Brown here's how I'm going to do it guys.
I'm going to go in kind of the order of the teams in the conference in terms of records
so that's how it's going to go.
So with that said Jalen Brown for the Boston Celtics played in 43 games 22.6 points per
game 5.2 rebounds 3.6 assists and over a steal per game for him shooting it from the field
over 49% about 36% from three and then 71% over that from the free throw line.
So Jalen Brown you can always make the case for him being an all-star he's the number
two guy on the best team in the league so definitely he warrants consideration for that
alone.
So he's going to be applying you a front court player that's how they have them listed.
Next up Tyrese Maxey from the Philadelphia 76ers I've been talking about him guys he's
played in 42 games 25.7 points per game 3.6 rebounds 6.6 assists and a steal per game
for him shooting it close to 45% from the field over 37% from three and well over 86%
from the free throw line.
Tyrese Maxey who's having a great year with the absence of James Hart and of course over
there so definitely having an all-star campaigns thus far.
And then speaking of Jalen Brunson I've give you his numbers played in 44 games 26.6 points
per game nearly four rebounds 6.5 assists for him shooting it 48% from the field guys
and 42.6 from three so he's draining them threes as well and 83.5% from the free throw
line.
Jalen Brunson having a fantastic year for the surging Knicks right now he's been the catalyst
he's been the engine that makes that team go so Jalen Brunson having a all-star campaign
and then his teammate Julius Randall 46 games he's played in average in 24 points over 9
rebounds 5 assists so this is pretty much par for the course with him he's usually double
digit rebounds but he's slightly under that shooting it over 47% from the field above
31% from three and above 78% from the free throw line.
Julius Randall having a solid year I'll talk about him a little bit when I talk about the
reserves Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers always a person worthy of all-star
consideration 34 games for him he's averaging 27.7 points 5.5 rebounds over 6 assists and
nearly two steals per game for Cavaliers shooting it from the field 46% close to 35% from three
and then 86.7% from the free throw line so Donovan Mitchell who's pretty much carrying
that Cavaliers team because they've been dealing with a myriad of injuries then we move to
Pascal Siakam I know guys he just got traded I understand I get that but if you look at
his total numbers this is how it shakes out 44 games played five of those with his new
team the Indiana Pacers over 22 points 6.5 rebounds 5 assists and as I told you those
numbers are slightly down because of the emergence of a Scotty Barnes so some of his numbers
suffered a bit because of that he's shooting it from the field 52.7% guys only 32.7% from
three although he's shooting the three very well for the pieces right now and then from
the free throw line 74.4% from the charity stripe so Pascal Siakam although he's shifting
over changing teams definitely he has the numbers to at least consider him as an all-star
Miami Heat Bama to Bayou guys you hit me talk about him 36 games he's played in average
in 21 points per game 10.5 rebounds over 4 assists and a block and a half per game shooting
it from the field over 50% 78% from the free throw line so Bama to Bayou having a solid
year for those Miami Heat there and then the other candidate Jimmy Butler but as I said
he's only played in 31 games guys which would be the lowest of anyone considered he's also
averaging 21 points per game 5 rebounds 4.4 assists and well over a steal per game for
Butler shooting it 48.8% from the field nearly 41% from three although he does shoot a lot
of threes and 88% from the free throw line so he's pretty much automatic from there but
again I think what'll hurt him is the games played because he's only played in 31 games
Paulo Boncarro I've been talking about him guys played in 45 games 22.6 points per game
seven rebounds nearly five assists for him and a steal per game he's shooting it nearly
45% from the field though 34.8 from three he likes to hoist up threes as well and just
above 70% from the free throw line Paulo Boncarro having a very good sophomore year for the
Orlando Magic the surprising Orlando Magic at that so he's one to consider then you
go to the lower rung teams guys like DeMar DeRosin for the Chicago Bulls he's played
in 44 games guys averaging over 22 points per game for rebounds 5.4 assists and above
a steal per game for DeRosin shooting it only 46.6% from the field which is kind of low
for him he doesn't shoot a lot of threes guys 34.4% and then from the free throw line 84.7%
from there DeMar DeRosin team is kind of down but he's having a solid year then we turn our
attention to Miquel Bridges for the Brooklyn Nets he's played in 45 games guys 21.7 points
per game over five rebounds per game 3.7 assists and a steal per game for the Nets shooting
it 45.4% from the field 36% from three and nearly 83% from the free throw line so if
you were to think about a net going he would probably be the prime one who will get consideration
and then the last team I'll talk about the Atlanta Hawks you got two guys you can make
a case for of course Trey Young he's always in the discussion guys played in 40 games
averaging 27 points per game three rebounds and second in the league and assists at 10.8
per game and 1.4 steals per game shooting it only 42.4% from the field 36.8 from three
which is somewhat better for him and then 86% from the free throw line Trey Young who was
high amongst the fan votes not so much amongst the player in the media votes but a strong
year I gotta say that and then his teammate the John Tay Murray 45 games for him 21.4
points per game five rebounds above five assists 1.3 steals for him shooting it nearly
47% from the field 38.8% from three point range and 83% from the free throw line so with
that said guys I gave you all the possible reserves here's my choices for reserves and
here's how it breaks down guys you have to choose two guards three front court and two
wild cards and this how I'm gonna do it for your guards Jalen Brunson of course from the
Knicks Donovan Mitchell from the Cavaliers those are your two guards that I'm choosing
for the front court bam out of bayou I think he makes it Pablo Boncarro I think he makes
it as well and then Jalen Brown for the Boston Celtics I think possibly makes it and then
your wild card here's how I'm gonna play it guys I'll say Tyrese Maxi for the Philadelphia
76ers and then Julius Randall for the Knicks now the reason I put Julius Randall for the
Knicks as a wild card because I think if they play this smart he just got an injury recently
I'll talk about that in another episode but it seems like it may be serious and if that's
the case guys in the timetables where he can't make the all-star game you'll probably have
to fill in his spot if you put them in as a wild card this gives you open room to go
with either a guard or front court person and this would open the door for a guy like
Trey Young to make the all-star team my other wild card person would be Trey Young if you
were to replace Julius Randall on the all-star team so that's how I'm playing it guys so
that is the reserves I feel for the East let us turn our attention to the West the West
all-star starters will start in the front court LeBron James the leading vote getter amongst
everyone everybody says oh how come he makes it he's just the most popular player in the
NBA so you know everybody's voting for him and he has the numbers guys so I don't even
know why there's even another discussion 42 games he's played in averaging 25 points 7.5
rebounds 7.6 assists and 1.3 steals from the field over 52% from 3 nearly 40% and from
the free throw line just a shade on the 75% from the free throw line may I add this is
his 20th year in the league and he's putting up these kind of numbers so guys complain
about it you can miss me with that LeBron James amongst the front court starters your
other starter in the front court Kevin Durant and rightfully so 38 games 28.8 points per
game 6.4 rebounds 5.7 assists and well above a block per game for him shooting it from
the field you know he's efficient guys over 53% 45.5% from 3 you like that that's outstanding
and then 87.3% from the free throw line for Kevin Durant who's having a healthy year too
by the way definitely kudos to him the Joker Nikolai Yolkic for the Denver Nuggets 46 games
play 26.3 points per game 12 rebounds nearly 9 assists so you know he's always flirting
with a triple double oh by the way he leads the league in that yet again and above a steal
per game shooting it over 59% from the field that's fantastic 36.6 from 3 and 81.5% from
the free throw line for the Joker so you have your three starters in the front court there
let's talk about the back court starting with the leader amongst the guards Luca Donkage
who's having a fantastic year 39 games played 34.4 points per game 8.6 rebounds 9.4 assists
and nearly a steal and a half per game for Luca shooting it from the field just under
49% from the field 37.5 from 3 and then 77.6 from the free throw line so Luca amongst your
starters in the back court and then your second starter in the back court shy Gilchrist Alexander
for the Oklahoma City Thunder 44 games played above 31 points per game 5.6 rebounds 6.4 assists
leading the league in steals at 2.3 shooting it 54.5% from the field you know he's not the
greatest three-point shooter just above 33% and pretty much automatic from the free throw
line at 89% let me just say kudos to the Thunder fans because it was a matter of their voting
that got him in otherwise it would have been Steph Curry he ranked number one amongst
the players in terms of getting all-star votes and he was number one amongst the media what
propelled him over the top was the fan voting he came in third shout out to the Oklahoma
City Thunder fan base for stuffing that ballot box and getting that man to start Nick fans
take note when you want your guy to start in the all-star game this is the example Oklahoma
City Thunder showed up and showed out for shy Gilchrist Alexander so kudos to them so SGA
is a starter in the all-star game congratulations to him his first time by the way starting
now let's talk about the reserves and again I'll do it the same as I did it in the east
will go by the records and we'll work our way down so we'll start with Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards you can now submit him as making the case for him every year now 43
points played nearly 26 points per game above five rebounds well above five assists per
game and well above a steal per game for him 46.3% from the field 38.5% from three and
nearly 84% from the free throw line Anthony Edwards seems like it's a fate of complete
him making the all-star team this year and then his teammate called Anthony Towns who
guys you cannot deny these numbers 45 games 22.6 points per game 8.7 rebounds so the rebounds
are a little bit down well you got Rudy Goubert next to you so expect that three assists for
him shooting it from the field guys over 52% 43.6 from three which is fantastic for a big
man and 87.8% from the free throw line so you can make a strong case for Anthony Towns making
it guys we'll leave it at that for the moment then we go to the Clippers Paul George and
Kawhi Leonard Paul George 42 games for him 23.3 points five and a half rebounds three
and a half assists and well above a steal and a half per game for him shooting it from
the field 46.6% nearly 42% from three you like that and then over 91% from the free
throw line so you're talking a guy who goes up there he makes it and then his teammate
Kawhi Leonard 40 games for him which is you guys say you take your hat off for that the
fact that he's playing in 40 games this season guys 23.6 points per game above six rebounds
3.7 assists 1.7 steals so pretty good 52 and a half percent from the field 44.8 from three
very good and over 88% from the free throw line so both guys for the Clippers have a
strong case here guys the person on the outside looking in James Hart who had to sacrifice
he did that guys he sacrificed some of his game coming over there and it has paid off
dividends for the Clippers you got to say that so far so good for James Hart in that
regard but no all-star recognition this year so we move on we'll go to Denver right quick
Jamal Murray who did miss a bunch of games he played in 33 games guys just a shade under
21 points per game just under four rebounds six and a half assists for him shooting at
47.5% from the field 41.5% from three 85.3 from the free throw line so definitely worthy
but I think he'll probably be on the outside looking in because of the games played and
the competition as well which is pretty steep here then we move to the Sacramento Kings
guys of course you always have the two guys in the running Dearon Fox who's sensational
38 games for him 27.7 points per game four rebounds 5.6 assists 1.6 steals for him shooting
it just under 47% from the field 38.8 from three and 73% from the charity strike and
then his teammate Demontus Sabonis 44 games guys just under 20 points per game he leads
the league in rebounding 12.7 rebounds 8 assists as well which is great 61.4% from the field
fantastic 44% from three and just 68% from the free throw line but nonetheless strong
numbers for him as well of course the Kings with two guys to consider moving on to Phoenix
Devin Booker every year you can make a case for this guy 36 games played 28.2 points per
game nearly five rebounds nearly seven and a half assists for him shooting it just a
shade under 50% from the field 38.8 from three 88.3 from the free throw line so Devin Booker
strong candidate very strong New Orleans Peligans you can make a slight case for two guys over
there Zion Williamson playing in 37 games which is a lot for him you take that scoring
just under 22 points per game five and a half rebounds 4.7 assists shooting it from the field
nearly 59% guys from the field wow and then 66.4% from the free throw line which it leaves
a little bit to be desired and his teammate Brandon Ingram 42 games played for him 21.3
games per game nearly five rebounds 5.6 assists for him shooting it just under 49% from the
field above 36% from three and over 80% from the free throw line so both those guys there
for a team that you know it's kind of in the running there amongst playoff teams and then
we move along Kyrie Irving for the Dallas Mavericks I think guys I think he falls under it he
only has 27 games played that's pretty low averaging over 25 per game for him over five
rebounds 5.3 assists 1.3 steals shooting it from the field just under 48% above 41% from
3 and then 89.5% from the free throw line but a tough year for Irving with the fact that
again so little games and the competition and probably they're standing as well they're
kind of on the outside looking in in terms of the playoff be amongst the top six so you
bear that in mind then we move on to the Lakers Anthony Davis a lot of people say he should
have been the starter instead of LeBron I don't see him getting more votes than LeBron
that's for sure but he's having a fantastic year guys he's played in 45 games guys that's
a eye opener averaging 25 points per game over 12 rebounds 3.7 assists over a steal
per game and 2.4 blocks for him very important 55.5% from the field 80.8 from the free throw
line for Anthony Davis definitely making himself a strong case to be an all-star then we'll
go to the teams that are on the outside of the playoff race it's about four candidates
here Laurie marketing of the Utah Jazz 37 games for him averaging 24 points 8.8 rebounds
and just under to assists averaging a little bit under 50% from the field above 40% from
3 and 87.3 from the free throw line so pretty much the same numbers he had last year when
he made the all-star team but the competition is much tougher this year guys so it's going
to be rough for him.
Alperin Sengun who's having a fine season over there for the Houston Rockets 45 games
he's played in 21.7 points per game over 9 rebounds 5 assists well over a steal per
game for him over 54% from the field over 72% from the free throw line.
Alperin Sengun a guy who you can make a case for most improved player as well guys you
can put him in the mix too in that regard but having a very good year guys for a Houston
team that's kind of you know like I said on the outside looking in then we go to Golden
State.
Steph Curry since he missed out on being a starter here's his numbers 40 games 27.3 points
per game over 4 rebounds 5 assists for him shooting it nearly 45% from the field over
40% from 3 you know that's his MO and then nearly 93% from the free throw line so he's
a bucket from the free throw line guys.
So Steph Curry you know when all this is at none he'll probably make it and then the last
candidate I'll mention is Victor Wimbayama although he's playing for the last place
in the West San Antonio Spurs played in 40 games guys 20.5 points per game over 10 rebounds
over 3 assists over a steal per game and above 3 blocks per game for him 46.5% from the field
which could be better but again I point to better guard play guys who can get him to
ball where he needs it the most 30.5% from 3 I think he needs to cut down on those and
80% from the free throw line for Victor Wimbayama who will be in the rising stars game don't
get me wrong but his chances of making the big game I don't see it although he has some
solid numbers to back that up.
So with that said guys here are my reserves for the West like I said the formula is 2
guards, 3 front court guys and then 2 wild cards so my 2 back court guys Steph Curry
of course you have to include him, Devin Booker you have to include him as well so that's
my 2 guys in the back court.
In the front court this was hard guys I gotta say this was hard but I'm gonna go with Anthony
Davis of the Lakers, Paul George of the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers so you get
2 Clippers in guys and then your wild card this is the one I really wrestled with guys
but you have to have somebody from Minnesota I think it will be Anthony Edwards I think
he will be the lone rep and then you probably have to include a Sacramento King as well
and then I went De'Aaron Fox so you got Curry Booker, A.D. Paul George, Kawhi, Anthony Edwards
and De'Aaron Fox so guys we'll see how it shakes out you know we'll hear about that
actually it should be this coming week we'll get to find out who the reserves are and we'll
see how accurate I am I did pretty good last year and the year before so see if I can bat
a thousand on these ones here.
Alright guys so that is it for this episode I just want to do this special episode for
the All-Star Starters in my prediction on the reserve.
Alright guys so that's gonna do it for me week 14 wrap up coming up real soon alright
guys thanks as always for your listenership always appreciate it we'll talk soon take
care.
Hello my peeps thank you for listening and supporting the All Things Basketball with
GD Podcasts you can find us on our website All Things Basketball with GD.com you can
also email us at that sportsduegd at gmail.com also listen and watch us on YouTube All Things
Basketball GD hit the like button when you see our videos also write a blurb about our
show.
You can listen to us on all podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple leave a review
for us at Apple.
On the website you can support us by hitting the buy me a coffee button, support on anchor
button or donate on PayPal.
You can also support us by our cash app GD that sports dude once again I thank you for
listening and supporting the show and do take care.