Should we treat the NBA All-Star Game starters as a popularity contest? Or should we base our vote on rigorous statistical analysis and film study?
Those dueling philosophies inevitably create tension among the fans (50%), select media members (25%) and NBA players (25%) that vote for the league’s All-Star starters. Sometimes, those conflicting agenda, however, actually can ensure the right selections.
That’s because All-Star game should center on two tenets. The game should feature the league’s most deserving starters based on individual performance and impact on winning. Yet, the game should also the league’s best that suits its intended audience – the fans.
Within the spirit of those two ideas, here are my picks on who should become the Eastern Conference and Western Conference starters for this year’s NBA All-Star game on Feb. 18. TNT will announce the actual starters on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Related: Picking NBA All-Stars, Locks and surprises
Eastern Conference backcourt:
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Not only has Haliburton elevated the Pacers with his prolific scoring, passing and leadership. His strong play partly explained why Pascal Siakam’s agent’s Todd Ramasar, said that he “could see Pascal in Indiana long term.” It’s not too premature to call Haliburton the NBA’s next star player. His play may have gone unnoticed considering he plays in a small market. That changed, however, during his breakout performances in the NBA’s In-Season tournament.
Haliburton has excelled by forging an identity that some other NBA stars struggle to balance. Haliburton has become a highlight reel by playing at a fast pace and making clutch plays. Yet, Haliburton has also become special by making plays that both empower his teammates and help his team win games.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s hard to exclude Jalen Brunson as an All-Star starter given his competitiveness and leadership have largely propelled the New York Knicks as a viable Eastern Conference contender. But it’s more difficult to skip Mitchell, who has taken his elite scoring to another level while the Cavs nurse injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
It appeared likely that Cleveland would fall out of Eastern Conference-contending status with those ailments. Mitchell has not let that happen en route to an eight-game winning streak. Not only has Mitchell shown he is one of the NBA’s best point guards. He also has signaled that he remains invested with the Cavaliers’ franchise despite ongoing speculation that he may want to leave for a big market.
Eastern Conference frontcourt:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks may have relatively underachieved, which partly led to them firing first-year head coach Adrian Griffin. But Antetokounmpo has stayed mostly steady. He has scored by relying on his familiar athleticism, strong finishing and expanded range. Though Damian Lillard hasn’t fully hit his stride, that had more to do with Griffin’s system than with Antetokounmpo getting in the way. Antetokounmpo has welcomed Lillard with open arms, and has appeared eager to help Lillard form a strong duo.
Antetokounmpo has become so dominant that the Bucks are still among the Eastern Conference’s best teams despite their issues with Griffin’s coaching, their inconsistent defense without Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton’s limited workload. Without Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee would likely be among the Eastern Conference’s second-tier teams.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Even on a star-studded team that boasts the NBA’s best starting lineup, Tatum has made his mark in both familiar and new ways. The familiar? Tatum has cemented himself as the best wing player with his post-presence, dependable 3-point shooting and aggressiveness at the basket. The new? After showing growth in recent seasons with how he and Jaylen Brown complement one another, Tatum has also adjusted his game to account for Kristaps Porzingis’ arrival.
Tatum has leaned on Porzingis presence both in the post and the perimeter in hopes to relieve double teams. Tatum also has done so to operate more off-the-ball instead of relying so much on creating for himself. Though Boston has become the East’s best team because of its depth and experience, Tatum deserves tons of credit for both elevating and sacrificing his game.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid has a strong chance to collect his second consecutive regular-season MVP award by averaging a league-leading 36.1 points and even posting 70 points this week to set both a career-high and franchise-scoring record. Following James Harden’s departure, Embiid has both elevated his game while also helping Tyrese Maxey step in as the team’s No. 2 option.
Embiid ultimately might miss out on the MVP award because injuries might prevent him from appearing in 65-regular-season games, a new rule the NBA passed in hopes to mitigate load-management tactics. Those injuries shouldn’t prevent Embiid from earning a starting nod. Embiid has played at his absolute best this season, a strong statement considering he has been the Eastern Conference’s best center for quite a while now.
Western Conference backcourt:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander has thrust himself into the MVP conversation with his prolific scoring at the rim and from deep as well as his passing and leadership. He also explains why the Thunder have become one of the NBA’s legitimate title contenders.
Gilgeous-Alexander may play in a small market and doesn’t have the same recognition as some of the more established players in this league. That shouldn’t matter. Not with Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistent production contributing to the Thunder’s strong start. Plus, he plays with an entertaining style that give casual fans a reason to watch.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Just like in past seasons, Doncic has nearly posted triple-double numbers on a night-to-night basis. Unlike in past seasons, Doncic has helped the Mavericks win much more thanks to improved chemistry with Kyrie Irving and a deeper supporting cast.
Some may choose Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, given his league-wide popularity and respectably efficient numbers that show he’s still in his prime. But there’s no way around it. Even with Curry’s strong play, the Warriors are a mess elsewhere. The win-loss record should not be the only factor, though. In fairness to Doncic, he has often relatively outperformed Curry so far this season.
Western Conference frontcourt:
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
The MVP race may seem wide open. But Jokic has not shown any dropoff in his play compared to both when he won consecutive regular-season MVP awards (2021, 2022) and when he finished second behind Embiid (2023). Jokic hasn’t shown any signs of a championship hangover with his superb conditioning, scoring and passing. He has elevated his game during Jamal Murray’s injury and has adjusted once he returned.
Unlike the MVP race, voting for Jokic here should not elicit any controversy whatsoever. Jokic has remained at least the Western Conference’s best center and has kept the Nuggets in the championship mix the same way he led them to their first NBA title.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Even at 39 years old in his 21st NBA season, James has stayed consistently durable and productive by still relying on his brute strength, timely passing and sharp basketball IQ. He certainly isn’t the same player as he was in his prime. He’s more calculated on defense. He also relies on his outside shooting. But James hardly looks like he’s slowing down. He still attacks the rim with force and runs with quickness.
The Lakers have mostly stayed slightly above or below .500 all season. But in James’ case, he should still receive a starting nod partly because this could be one of his last All-Star appearances, if not his last. No NBA star should get voted in for nostalgia purposes. But in James’ case, it does extend him a pass for the Lakers’ inconsistency since their struggles largely have nothing to do with him.
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Four years after earning his first All-Star MVP award, Leonard deserves to return to the stage. Not only has he been healthy, an issue that kept him out of the All-Star game in the past two seasons. Leonard has produced in methodical fashion. He has stayed the Clippers’ No. 1 option with his efficient scoring on and off the ball. But he has gladly reduced his workload both to empower Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook and to put less strain on his body.
Leonard became the face of the NBA’s load-management era because of his extensive injuries. It would be fitting with Leonard collected another All-Star MVP trophy to show he will compete in both regular-season games and even All-Star exhibitions if his body allows him.
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.