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Way too early NBA All-Star ballot selections for this season

By Michael Shearer

May 16, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) talks to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) talks to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA, All-Star ballot, NBA All-Star
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 14: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half at Barclays Center on December 14, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2021-2022 Eastern Conference NBA All-Star team

Backcourt Starters: Trae Young (Hawks), Zach LaVine (Bulls)

Frontcourt Starters: Kevin Durant (Nets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Jimmy Butler (Heat)

Backcourt Reserves: James Harden (Nets), LaMelo Ball (Hornets)

Frontcourt Reserves: DeMar DeRozan (Bulls), Joel Embiid (76ers), Jayson Tatum (Celtics)

Wildcards: Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), Jrue Holiday (Bucks), Bam Adebayo (Heat/injured)

Honorable Mentions: Khris Middleton (Bucks), Miles Bridges (Hornets), Darius Garland (Cavaliers), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers), Julius Randle (Knicks), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Cole Anthony (Magic), Fred VanVleet/Scottie Barnes/Pascal Siakam (Raptors)

I struggled a bit with whether to start Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, or Jayson Tatum as the final East frontcourt starter. The advanced stats generally like Butler the best of the three, so he gets the nod, but I won’t argue if you’d prefer either of the other two in that spot.

Jarrett Allen is playing the best basketball of his life and is the most well-rounded player on a Cavs team that projects to be one of the best in the East despite losing leading scorer Collin Sexton. His surprisingly diverse offensive game and defensive fluidity made him a must-have for this roster.

LaMelo Ball has improved upon an impressive rookie season in almost every category. He’s currently averaging 20/8/8, and his passing wizardry makes him a perfect fit for the All-Star game.

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have both played incredibly this year, and they have nearly identical stats (seriously, it’s eerie. They both average 26/5/4 and are within 0.4 of each other in points, rebounds, and assists).

DeRozan is moved to the bench simply because the East’s frontcourt depth is so strong, but he’s been the MVP for the surprising Bulls so far. He’s a mid-range beast with unbelievable efficiency despite limited range. LaVine is one of the best shooters in the game from anywhere on the court, and it’s clear he’s started to crib some of DeRozan’s mid-range tricks.

I cheated a little bit and added Bam Adebayo despite his injury, which will exclude him from the actual All-Star ballot, but he deserves recognition for being arguably the most versatile and well-rounded center in the league. He’s also averaging a career-high in assists and steals per game.

To replace him, I picked Jrue Holiday. His offensive numbers of 16/7/4 don’t jump out at you, but he plays with unflagging defensive intensity and is at the core of the Bucks’ offensive and defensive schemes. It came down to him or Khris Middleton for the last spot, and despite Middleton’s penchant for late-game shotmaking, I think Jrue is the more integral part of the team.

Miles Bridges was my other hardest cut. He’s been a revelation this year, bullying people down low and showcasing an improved handle, and I desperately wanted to get him in the game with Ball so they could have an alley-oop display for the ages. However, defensive effort waxes and wanes, and Bridges is just one of several teammates with similar importance to the Hornets.

Julius Randle and Malcolm Brogdon are both putting up big numbers for teams that have wildly underperformed this year. I struggled with differentiating between the Raptors’ players’ overall impact on their team, but all three (plus the injured OG Anunoby) have had consistency problems -an issue inherent to being part of an ensemble cast of equally-talented players.

Bradley Beal has the counting stats but struggles with efficiency and defense. Cole Anthony deserves a shoutout for playing well on an extremely bad Magic team. His on/off numbers show a squad that is decent when’s he’s on the court and eye-gougingly abysmal when he’s off.