2020 All-Star Starters

Let me give the NBA some credit by saying they made the All-Star game more entertaining by televising the draft last year. By adding that schoolyard vibe to it, it gets people more interested. It also gives them another televised event to make money on, so it’s a win for everyone. However, I feel like it takes a part of the competition away. Putting the East against the West adds a certain competitive element that the draft doesn’t have. So, I’m going to predict what the starters would look like if the NBA went back to the old way of doing things.

East

G - Kyrie Irving - Brooklyn Nets

Although I may have a dislike for him after his rude departure from Boston, the guy can hoop. He’s the star of that Nets team, who are going to be good next year. Last year, despite his issues, he had debatably the best season of his career, and is just looking to improve upon it. With no Durant there, he’s going to be the primary scoring option for that team, and I think he’ll fit the role just fine.

G - Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers

As much as I want to give this spot to Kemba, I think we’re about to see a breakout season for Simmons. I don’t know if he’s going to be hitting 3s like everyone seems to think, but I think he’s going to be great. He made his first All-Star game last year, and I think his team is even better this year. With Jimmy gone, Philly is going to be looking for a new closer, and I think Simmons will ultimately fill this role. He’s going to average close to a triple double and help lead this Sixers team.

F - Pascal Siakam - Toronto Raptors

This one was close between Siakam and Jimmy Buckets, but I think Pascal is just going to edge him out for the starting slot. Kawhi is in LA now, and someone is going to have to take over as the top scorer in Toronto, and it’s not going to be Kyle Lowry. Siakam has improved immensely every heat he’s been in the league, and I expect next year to be no different. With the newly appointed role as “number one option”, he’ll have to step up and average around 20 points a game. This along with his crazy good defensive ability is going to make him a starter on this All-Star team.

F - Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks

Come on, this one had to be obvious. The reigning MVP is looking to win a championship, and he wants nothing less. He already stated one of his goals is to win the MVP again, and if he plays anything like last year he’ll easily start on any All-Star team. He’s one of the few people in the league who can’t shoot, but is still dominant. Giannis can go out there any night and give you thirty without even stepping behind the 3-point line. With this and his Defensive Player of the Year type talent, he’s going to be one of the best.

C - Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers

This one is almost as obvious as Giannis. If Embiid can stay healthy and on the court, then he will consistently be the best center in the East. His mix of defense and insane post scoring ability makes him as dominant as he is. After his… breakdown at the end of the playoffs last year, he needs to come back and prove to the league he’s not someone that can be pushed around. As long as he can keep his composure, and stop bawling like a 5-year-old, he’ll be great.

West

G - Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors

This conference is going to be pretty easy to predict. Curry has consistently been a starter on the All-Star team for years, and nothing is going to change this season. With Klay out and Durant in Brooklyn, he’s going to have to return to his MVP form in order to ensure the Warriors are competitive again next season. I think he’ll be able to do this, and even better, I think he’s going to end up as a top 3 MVP candidate.

G - James Harden - Houston Rockets

Another guy who will consistently start for every All-Star team for a while, Harden shows no sign of slowing down. In my opinion, he should have won back to back MVPs because of his insane scoring stretch last year and the fact that he carried that Houston team all the way to the four seed. Harden now has a new, and old, teammate with him, and there are a lot of people who are skeptical as to whether or not they’ll be able to play together and win. What I do know, is that Harden is the best shooting guard in the game, and will start for this All-Star team.

F - Kawhi Leonard - Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi is, in my opinion, the best player in the NBA right now, so naturally he’s going to start on the All-Star team. Leonard went to Toronto for a single season and won them their first ever title, something DeRozan failed to do for years. He has two Finals MVPs under his belt and shows no signs of slowing down. With the new team, and another almost MVP next to him, he looks poised to three-time champion.

F - LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers

The people who sit back and say that LeBron is washed up clearly have never watched him play. He was hurt last season, something that almost never happens to him, and he’ll be back to his old self next year. Anthony Davis is the best big man he’s ever played with (in their prime), and the duo look to capitalize on their talents this upcoming season. The Lakers have managed to put some decent pieces around the two superstars, making their path to glory just that much easier.

C - Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets

This was actually a pretty hard choice for me. With Anthony Davis back to full health, there’s a very good chance he could take this spot away from Jokic. However, the way Jokic has been playing the past two years, I had to choose him. As I’ve said on a few other occasions, Jokic is my choice for MVP this next season, so I had to make him starter for the All-Star game. His defense can be questionable at times, but he’s the best passing big man in the game, and his offensive ability is what’s going to elevate him over Anthony Davis for the starting role on the All-Star team.