My Early All-Star Teams

It's a little early, but I have been curious, so I thought I'd make a mock All-Star team. Let's start in the West.

With apologies to: Domantas Sabonis, Karl Anthony-Towns, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Devin Booker, and Paul George

I was surprised by how little I struggled with the West All-Stars. I think the only real judgment call here is Rudy Gobert over Sabonis or Towns. Booker should be a tougher call, but unless Phoenix improves there's just no way. The 10th-best team in the conference doesn't merit two All-Stars, and Booker has missed more time. And it's not like Booker's demonstrably better than any of the five guards here.

No, the only real question is Gobert. I've been watching a lot of Minnesota games, and I think he's clearly their second-best guy. What fully convinced me was their game against Sacramento last weekend. There wasn't a single Kings player – Sabonis included – who would challenge Gobert at the rim, and it cost them. They would drive in and kick out, drive in and kick out, re-starting possessions as the shot clock dwindled, and as such were never able to successfully rally. Defense matters, and Gobert's resurgence has led the Wolves to the best defense in the league and the best record in the West. That has to matter, even if I'd rather watch literally anyone else in the All-Star Game. I also firmly believe the No. 1 seed should have at least two All-Stars. Towns is somewhat interchangeable with Naz Reid. Gobert isn't.

The fun part is seeing Edwards vault into starter position. I don't know that this will really happen in real life, because the starters is just a popularity contest, and Kevin Durant has been an All-Star for a long time, and Kawhi Leonard's media market is much larger than Edwards'. But Edwards deserves the spot. As I said, I've been watching Minnesota a lot, and everything about them feels real. Their top eight is just as good as Boston's, and may be better. But it all comes to a head with Edwards. Likewise with SGA on the Thunder. He's so smooth. Again, I won't be surprised if Curry wins the vote, but it should be SGA's spot.

With apologies to: Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, DeMar DeRozan, Tobias Harris, Julius Randle, and Jrue Holiday

The struggle here was whether to add Donovan Mitchell and Derrick White, or to pick one and another forward. I just don't think any forward has earned the honor. The default here would be Butler, but he's having a down year, and he's missed time. Lately, the Heat also haven't missed him, as they're 3-0 without him. A big part of that is Tyler Herro being back.

I also have a hard time choosing between Mitchell and White. They've both excelled, but they do so in different ways. Mitchell is more of a "star," but White has been the more impactful player.

The other spot I feel uneasy about is Banchero. He's clearly Orlando's best player, and deserving of the spot if Orlando maintains a top position in the East. But the Magic are reeling. They've lost seven of their last 11 games. Two of those wins were over bottom feeders Detroit and Washington, and last night they lost to an Embiid-less Sixers team by 20 points. They've dropped from second in the conference to fifth, and eight of their next 11 games are on the road. If they can't turn it around, then Banchero's spot is probably Butler's, especially if Butler can manage to actually play.

The only spot in the East starting lineup that feels even remotely up for grabs is Brunson's, but I expect Knicks fans to do their work and vote him in. There isn't a ton of breathing room between Brunson, Maxey, and Haliburton, as they are all similarly really great at offense and really bad at defense. But of the three, Brunson scares me the most, and the NBA just feels more vital when a New York player is in the starting lineup, so he gets my nod.

The least likely thing to happen would be three Celtics making the team. It's not impossible of course, but it is rare. The last time a single team had three All-Stars was when Mike Conley, Gobert, and Mitchell all made the 2021 All-Star Game. When the rosters were announced, the Jazz were 25-6, and had been in first place in the West for most of the month. The same is true of the Celtics right now, so it could happen. But there's a lot of great guards in the East. Fingers crossed for D White!