Western Conference Reserves
Backcourt: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks; Paul George, LA Clippers
Have the Dallas Mavericks been disappointing? Yes, a reality caused by poor play surrounded by injuries and COVID absences. Has Doncic shot poorly from the field? Yes he has, while still scoring 27.8 points per game, grabbing 8.7 rebounds and slinging 9.3 assists. He has been part of the problem, but he has also been the majority of the solution for the wins they have accrued.
Paul George has been one of the best high-volume shooters in the league this season, hitting 47.8 percent of his deep shots on a hefty 7.9 attempts per game. He is passing more than ever as the Clippers run their offense through their wings, hitting shots and playing solid defense. It may just be a hot start, but this version of George bodes well for the postseason.
Frontcourt: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Christian Wood, Houston Rockets
Anthony Davis has had a more tepid start to the season than many hoped for, but honestly given the team’s short turnaround from the NBA Finals to Opening night that should have been expected for the entire roster. Even a slow start has meant 22.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and a focus on creating his own shot, which makes him a more dangerous offensive player come the playoffs, a must for when LeBron James inevitably begins to feel his age.
Rudy Gobert has been a monster for the streaking Utah Jazz, owners of the league’s best record. He is only averaging 13.3 points per game, sure, but he is impacting the game in other ways more than anyone else in the league. His screens are bone-crushing, his vertical spacing gives help defenders impossible decisions to make, he is cleaning the glass (13.5 rebounds per game) for rotations with no other plus rebounders, and his rim protection has been otherworldly. He is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and should be a lock for the All-Star roster.
The final forward spot was a difficult one to fill, and I almost slid Paul George to forward to open up space for a guard. In the end I landed on Christian Wood, who has continued this career renaissance from journeyman G League player to above-average starting center. He is averaging 22 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for a Houston Rockets team that has righted the ship following James Harden’s departure. An ankle injury will keep him out for the foreseeable future, so he may be passed on this list or at least replaced due to injury.
Wild Card: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz; De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Mike Conley has never made an All-Star game, perhaps the greatest player in NBA history never to do so. He should lose that auspicious record this season, as he has been incredible for the hottest team in basketball. He is averaging an unspectacular 16.5 points per game, but that comes via 41.0 percent 3-point shooting on 6.8 attempts per game, and lockdown defense on the perimeter. Conley has a +16 net rating, boosts everyone around him and metrics such as FiveThirtyEight’s Raptor place him among the top-10 in the league in on-court impact.
The final spot goes to De’Aaron Fox, the best player on the second-hottest team in basketball. The Kings have won four straight games and seven-of-eight, with the lone loss by one point. Fox is scoring a career-high 23 points per game, has increased his outside shooting volume by 70 percent and is driving this team into the playoff hunt for the first time in decades. He hasn’t been particularly dominant, so if the hot streak cools down — for Fox, the Kings, or both — his resume could collapse and he could be on the outside looking in. For now, he gets the last berth.
First Cut: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell is the offensive engine for the Jazz, scoring 23.5 points per game as the team’s best creator. He showed in the NBA Bubble how he can go off at any moment, and the Jazz will need him at their best to contend for a title. Yet he has been relatively inefficient to start the season, and the Jazz have been better when he sits. That isn’t a knock, so much as an acknowledgment of the depth of the Jazz, but it keeps him one spot out for now.
In the Mix: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder; Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans; Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns; Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans