NBA recap: Pelicans’ next move, All-Star reserves and more
Western Conference All-Star reserve picks:
Backcourt: Damian Lillard
Backcourt: Russell Westbrook
Frontcourt: Nikola Jokic
Frontcourt: Anthony Davis
Frontcourt: Rudy Gobert
Wild Card: Karl-Anthony Towns
Wild Card: Klay Thompson
Coming into this exercise, the Western Conference seemed painstaking to nail down the final seven spots on the All-Star team. After taking a step back and looking at everything, it proved quite easy despite a long list of candidates to choose from.
Damian Lillard has the Portland Trail Blazers in the 4-seed and remains one of the best guards in the NBA. If Stephen Curry and James Harden weren’t on record-setting tears, Dame would’ve challenged them for a starting spot. Yes, Russell Westbrook has disgusting shooting numbers, but his passing, defense, leadership and willingness to let Paul George flourish give him the other backcourt spot.
In the frontcourt, Nikola Jokic has the Denver Nuggets in the 2-seed and had a case for starting with his overall impact on the game as the centerpiece for the Nuggets. Anthony Davis is still Anthony Davis. Trade request or not, his numbers are unreal. The final frontcourt spot is mostly defense. Rudy Gobert once again anchors an elite defense for the Utah Jazz and the team has their best plus/minus numbers with him on the court, and their worst when he’s off.
The wild cards came down to Karl-Anthony Towns, Jrue Holiday, Klay Thompson, Jamal Murray, Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox, Danilo Gallinari, DeMar DeRozan, Donovan Mitchell and LaMarcus Aldridge. Holiday is having a great season, but a 22-28 team in 13th place doesn’t deserve two All-Stars.
Murray is having his best season of his short career, but he’s been too inconsistent compared to others in the mix. Doncic is a ridiculous rookie, but the Dallas Mavericks have floundered since J.J. Barea tore his Achilles. Fox has come back down to life after a torrid pace set in the early portion of the season, and his running mate Buddy Hield deserves some consideration as well.
Gallinari has been healthy for the first half of the season and is averaging career highs in multiple categories, but Tobias Harris and Lou Williams are arguably more important for the Los Angeles Clippers. DeRozan and Aldridge have mid-ranged opponents to death, but the San Antonio Spurs’ second unit is just as strong when their two stars sit. Mitchell’s late push for a spot is highlighted by the Jazz vaulting up the standings, but Gobert is the vital piece for them.
This left me with the pair of Karl-Anthony Towns and Klay Thompson. KAT has turned into a two-way monster since Jimmy Butler was trade on Nov. 12 and has the Minnesota Timberwolves hanging around in the playoff race.
Klay plays third fiddle to Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, but his numbers are as steady as ever after shaking off a slow start, and he remains one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. In Golden State wins, Klay shoots 42.4 percent from deep. In losses, he shoots 26.5 percent. Thompson will give you steady defense and attract defenders opening up the floor, and when he’s knocking down his outside shot, the Warriors are borderline unbeatable.
The list was deep, but Klay and KAT stand out above the rest. This reserves team has superstars all over the place, speaking to the depth of the Western Conference in terms of team and individual talent.