NBA All-Star starters have been announced, so we break down who the likely reserves project to be on each team.
For those of you who watch basketball on a nightly basis, this is the list of players that should feature as the reserves for the NBA All-Star Game.Unfortunately, those fans who go out and vote every day don’t really watch the games and just check the box for Stephen Curry or Zaza Pachulia.
Here is the list of the players who should get voted in as the all-star reserves.
Western Conference
Guards
Russell Westbrook:
I mean come on, this guy should be starting, but all of Steph Curry’s 13-year-old fan base went out and voted for him. Westbrook is averaging over 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists per game. Those are NBA2K numbers and he is arguably the MVP up to this point.
Damian Lillard:
Lillard is averaging 26.2 points, 5.9 assist and 4.8 rebounds per contest. If it wasn’t for his state farm commercials he may be one of the greatest unknown all-stars in the league. Playing in a small market like Portland makes him less recognizable than some other stars, but the 26-year-old has had a terrific season. The Trail Blazers are a game out of the last playoff spot and he is the reason they can even smell contention.
Klay Thompson:
He’s replacing Chris Paul (injury) but deserves an all-star nod this year just out of the need for a shooting guard/small forward. He is a shooter who doesn’t do much else. His defense is over-rated and his other stats aren’t dominant. However, his shooting is elite and in the NBA there aren’t many other guards to consider for the team this year. If Chris Paul didn’t get hurt, Klay would be the loan star player on the Golden State team that gets left out.
Forwards/Centers
DeMarcus Cousins:
If the NBA still had the center position on the ballot as a position, he would be starting easily. Boogie Cousins is averaging over 28 points and 10 rebounds per game. He may be the Odell Beckham Jr. of the NBA with the way that he acts, but nobody can deny how talented he is. He is arguably the best big man in the league and should easily be voted in as a reserve.
Karl-Anthony Towns:
Towns is averaging over 22 points and 12 rebounds per game and the guy is only 21-years-old. He is the future of the NBA and right now he is proving he was worthy of the top pick in 2015. Towns should be a fixture in the all-star game for the next decade and fans should get used to seeing this guy. He could very well win a couple MVPs when it’s all said and done.
Gordon Hayward:
The all-star game should include one of the most underrated players in the league. Hayward is averaging over 22 points, five rebounds and three assists on a very good Utah Jazz team and deserves to be a reserve. He has improved himself into an all-star caliber player and is one of reasons the Jazz have a top-five record in the West.
Draymond Green:
His offensive stats don’t overwhelm you (just over 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game), but his defense and versatility is what makes him an all-star. He can defend every position while bringing the ball up court. He can’t be your team’s best player but he is in the perfect system and situation to utilize his skills which makes him an all-star.
Eastern Conference
Guards
Isaiah Thomas:
How many people can tell me how many points a game this little man is scoring? He is 5-foot-9 and dropping over 29 points per game. He is also averaging better than six assists per game which is pretty impressive for as much as he shoots. The Celtics are the three seed in the east and overall are top-ten in the league in scoring mostly because of him. He may not be able to lock down defenders because of his size, but his offensive skill set is amongst the league’s elite.
John Wall:
The most underrated player in the NBA right now is arguably Mr. Wall. He is the only player in the East who is averaging double-digit assists per game (10.2) and is also averaging over 23 points per game while being second in the league in steals (2.2). Wall doesn’t get the publicity that he deserves and is turning himself into a franchise player.
Kyle Lowry:
The East is loaded at point guard but Lowry has been too good not to put on the team. He is averaging over 22 points, seven assists and almost five rebounds a game. The Raptors run through Lowry and DeMar Derozan and are legitimate contenders to finish second in the east.
Forwards and Centers
Kevin Love:
Averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds on the best team in the east will make you an all-star. Not many players in the league can be the third option on their team and still average better than 20 points per game.
Joel Embiid:
This may be the biggest reach on the list but he has the stats (19.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game) to be on the team. His defense is also very good. Not only does his team have five more wins than last year but he has shown that he is the top center in the east. He is the king of social media and shows the passion during the games that we wish all players did.
Paul Millsap:
The most underappreciated player in the league should be an all-star this season. Millsap is averaging over 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. If it wasn’t for Millsap, the Hawks would be struggling just to get into the playoffs. He plays defense, can score from anywhere and can occasionally carry a team despite not being a go-to player.
Paul George:
The last spot on the team was tough but George gets the nod. Averaging 21.9 points a game with over six rebounds should be enough to lock up the final roster spot. His defense is solid and his all-around game is the reason why he should get in.