My Eastern Conference All-Star Predictions. Who will make it?
The All-Star Game! Where celebrities come to watch the NBA’s most elite talent battle it out for the victory. Check out my Western Conference All-Star Predictions if you haven’t already. In this article, I will be predicting the Eastern Conference All-Star Team and elaborating in detail as to why I made my predictions.
When and Where is the 2021-22 NBA All-Star Game?
The 2021-22 All-Star Game will take place on Sunday the 20th of February in Cleveland, Ohio.
How does the NBA All-Star Game work and How does Voting work?
The way the NBA All-Star game works and how Voting is done is explained in my Western Conference All-Star Prediction article!
After I name my Eastern Conference All-Star team, I will explain exactly why I made these predictions and how they could change.
Let’s get straight into it!
Eastern Conference All-Star Team
Backcourt Starters: Trae Young (ATL), Zach Lavine (CHI)
Frontcourt Starters: Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Joel Embiid (PHI)
Backcourt Reserves: James Harden (BKN), Lamelo Ball (CHA)
Frontcourt Reserves: Demar DeRozan (CHI), Jimmy Butler (MIA), Jayson Tatum (BOS)
Darkhorse Players: Julius Randle (NYK), Jaylen Brown (BOS)
Deciding the Eastern Conference Backcourt Starters was very easy. Trae Young has been ridiculous this season, particularly over the Hawks last 15 games. With averages of 27.0 points, 9.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Zach Lavine and the Bulls are on fire so far this season with a record of 17-10 which places them 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Lavine is putting up 26.0 points per night on an efficient 49% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arch.
The Frontcourt Starters was nearly as easy as the Backcourt Starters. Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both MVP Frontrunners. KD was ranked 1st in the latest nba.com MVP Race article and Giannis was positioned 4th. Durant over the last 4+ games has been playing at a unanimous MVP level. Deciding between Joel Embiid and Demar DeRozan was very hard but when I looked at the stats in more detail it was clear Embiid deserved the starting spot.
There was a clear lock for one of the Backcourt Reserve spots. James Harden is a clear All-Star despite some ‘struggles’. For James Harden standards, he is putting a mere 20.8 points along with a more significant 9.6 assists (2nd) and 7.9 rebounds (3rd most for a Guard). I chose Lamelo Ball over Jaylen Brown or Bradley Beal for the 2nd Backcourt Reserve. Ball has made a big impact for the Hornets (6th seed) and is a fan favourite throughout the league. Ball currently puts up 20.0 points per night as well as 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds to top it off.
Demar DeRozan could possibly be a starter but that would be influenced heavily by the fan vote. DeRozan has been playing arguably some of his best basketball on the Bulls, putting up averages of 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 rebounds on 49.8% shooting from the field. Jimmy Butler is making a big impact as usual for the Miami Heat on the offensive end and defensive end. Butler leads the league in steals per game (2.2). Jayson Tatum could be replaced by Julius Randle but both players have been very inefficient so maybe neither of them will make it. Right now though I have Tatum making the team.
As I said earlier Randle could replace Tatum if his efficiency goes up and he brings the Knicks to a better record. Jaylen Brown might make the squad if he shoots the ball a bit better and also contributes to a better record for the Celtics.
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