Predicting the 2021 -22 NBA All Star Teams

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1412 days ago

The NBA season is upon us. Training camp and preseason give fans a little taste as the season begins at the end of October. It’s never too early to predict who will represent the NBA in the 2022 All-Star Game which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio on February 20, 2022. So, without further ado, let’s look at who will be in the All-Star Game representing their conferences.

Western Conference Starters

Captain: LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers

17^th Season in the NBA and he has something to prove this season after his first first-round exit last season. With 70% of the voting fan-based, barring injury, you will see the King make his 18^th All-Star appearance and as the leading vote-getter for the West, make his fifth appearance as team captain.

C: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

The reigning MVP will be looking to build off his great season with another year of outstanding performance. The Joker averaged a career-high in points, assists, and three-point percentage last season, but he will be asked to be the anchor for the Nuggets rotation. Jokic should be one of the top vote-getters at his position.

PF: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

Usually, you would see both PG and Kawhi Leonard in the conversation for All-Star votes, but it looks like George will be the guy. In Kawhi’s absence during the postseason, George fulfilled his moniker of “Playoff P” by averaging 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Barring injury, George should get enough votes to be a starter or reserve and make his 7^th All-Star appearance.

G: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

One of the greatest shooters of all time, Curry will make his 7^th All-Star Appearance with a renewed sense of excitement in San Francisco. Last season, Curry averaged a career-high in points with 32 points per game. Will the production decrease with the potential return of his Splash Brother teammate Klay Thompson and with other players getting the shine on them?

G: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka has achieved a great amount of success in his short time in the NBA. Luka the Don has already won Rookie of the Year and has established himself as the franchise player for a Dallas team that is one of the top teams in a crowded Western Conference. Fans expect Doncic to make his 2^nd All-Star appearance this season.

Western Conference Reserves

Guards

Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Forwards

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

Center

Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Eastern Conference Starters

Captain: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks

Who would be the better person to represent the opposing team than the defending NBA Finals MVP? Giannis has been the franchise player for Milwaukee for the past five years and it has worked out well with an MVP and an NBA Championship that was brought to Milwaukee. The All-Star Voting would have Giannis on top of the list and it would make sense, barring injury.

C: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

“The Process” is the man in the middle for the Sixers. Despite all the Ben Simmons rumors, Embiid will be called on to lead the charge for Philadelphia this season. Embiid achieved career highs in points (28.5), minutes (31.1), and field goal percentage (.513).

F: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

Durant is one of the few players who proved himself last season. Coming back from a nasty knee injury, Durant averaged his highest point average since his last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015-16 (26.9). KD will be one of the favorites to be the captain of the opposing team due to the fan voting.

G: James Harden, Brooklyn Nets

The final piece of Brooklyn’s “Big 3”, Harden had a renaissance year after a messy divorce with the Houston Rockets. The numbers may not show it but Harden’s impact made the Nets a valuable team and a Finals contender heading into this season. Let’s hope Brooklyn doesn’t have a player dealing with vaccination soon.

G: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Last year, social media was going off with the #FreeBradleyBeal hashtag in hopes of giving Beal a better opportunity with another team. Especially, since last season where Beal averaged career highs in points, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. Beal has expressed his commitment to staying with Washington and hopefully he will continue his scoring streak.