NBA All-Star starters and captains will be announced Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on TNT, before the Thursday doubleheader.
Who will they be? Probably not who they should be. Let’s look at who should be starting for both conferences, based on the numbers they’ve put up this season.
Western Conference starters should be without two all-time greats
- Backcourt: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Backcourt: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- Frontcourt: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- Frontcourt: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Frontcourt: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Related: 5 best NBA trade deadline deals of the last five seasons
Eastern Conference starters have a lock and a newcomer
- Backcourt: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Backcourt: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Frontcourt: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Frontcourt: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Frontcourt: Jason Tatum, Boston Celtics
Related: How close are we to an NBA player breaking Wilt’s single-game scoring record?
NBA All-Star starters without LeBron James?
LeBron James is having a great season. It’s an especially great season for a guy who just turned 39 years old.
But James should not be starting over his teammate Anthony Davis, who might be having his best season ever. Nor should he start over Nikola Jokic, the best player in the league, and he shouldn’t start over Kawhi Leonard, who is finally healthy, having arguably his best season, and has been the glue to a Clippers squad that has everyone around the league nervous.
Also missing is Steph Curry. As great as Curry has been and still is, he shouldn’t start over the human highlight reel that is Luka Doncic nor should he start over the breakout superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has the Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the Western Conference.
Related: Shocking allegations made against New York Knicks owner
NBA All-Star starters seems pretty clear in the East
Tyrese Haliburton has been amazing this season, especially in the first two months. He has three games with more than 18 assists. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are playing great ball this season and are moving up in the East.
Joel Embiid is a lock. The guy just scored 70 points and is on pace to equal a Wilt Chamberlain record that many thought was untouchable. Jason Tatum is one of the best all-around players in the league and has the Celtics at the top of the East. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still a freak and, with Doc Rivers taking over as the Bucks’ new coach, could be ready to blow up in the second half as he chases a second title.