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2016 NBA All-Star Game: Selecting The Reserves

By Gerald Bourguet

January 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Heat 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Heat 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 NBA All-Star Game
Oct 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 112-95. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

East Wildcard Spots

DeMar DeRozan: 23.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, .442/.321/.844 shooting, 21.1 PER

There’s no way around it: both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan deserve to be in the All-Star Game this year with the way the backcourt has carried the Toronto Raptors to the second best record in the Eastern Conference. Lowry got in on the fan vote, now it’s DeRozan’s turn to earn a second All-Star selection.

DeRozan leads the Raptors in scoring this season, and he’s the second best player on the East’s second best team. The Raptors are perfectly aware the real test won’t come until the playoffs, where they’ve floundered the past two seasons, but this Toronto team looks better than ever before.

Though he’s never been a particularly efficient player when it comes to his shooting percentages (a lot like Lowry, really), DeRozan has made up for it by getting to the line 8.1 times per game this season. Add that to his breathtaking leaping ability and being able to heat up in a hurry and you’ve got a nice blend for the All-Star Game.

Isaiah Thomas: 21.6 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG, .424/.347/.892 shooting, 22.1 PER

Isaiah Thomas is not a particularly efficient player, nor is he a good defender. From a well-rounded standpoint, you could easily make a case for Al Horford or Pau Gasol in this spot. But guess what? The All-Star Game is still a balance between merit and entertaining the fans, and there are few players in the NBA more enjoyable to watch than I.T.

The Boston Celtics deserve an All-Star, and though Jae Crowder‘s superb two-way play probably makes him the team’s most important player, Thomas is their leading scorer and most recognizable burst of energy. Not many players can play to a crowd the way Thomas does, and he’s quickly become a fan favorite despite his high volume shooting.

His penetration is key to keeping Boston’s offense somewhat serviceable, he’s fun to watch and he’s got the numbers to merit consideration. Why not give Thomas his first All-Star spot over guys like Horford and Gasol who have been there before and already have another All-Star on their respective teams?

Next: East Snubs