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

2021-2022 Western Conference NBA All-Star team

Backcourt Starters: Steph Curry (Warriors), Ja Morant (Grizzlies)

Frontcourt Starters: Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Draymond Green (Warriors)

Backcourt Reserves: Devin Booker (Suns), Chris Paul (Suns)

Frontcourt Reserves: Paul George (Clippers), LeBron James (Lakers), Karl Anthony-Towns (Timberwolves),

Wildcards: Luka Doncic (Mavericks),  Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)

Honorable Mentions:  Anthony Davis (Lakers), Russell Westbrook (Lakers), D’Angelo Russell (Timberwolves), De’Aaron Fox (Kings), Brandon Ingram (Pelicans), Andrew Wiggins (Warriors), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Kristaps Porzingis (Mavericks), Dejounte Murray (Spurs), Jonas Valanciunas (Pelicans)

The East was easy compared to the West! Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic were the only lock starters. Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green deserve it for being historically great defenders while still providing value offensively, particularly since Green has rediscovered that dunking the ball is helpful (seriously, he had 27 dunks last year in 63 games; he already has 18 this year in just 27 contests. He only had six in 43 disinterested games during the bubble season).

The last starting guard spot was tricky. Ja Morant has missed the last several games, and I don’t think he’ll be the starter for the actual event, but his body of work to this point has been impressive. Both he and Devin Booker are shooting the ball better than they ever have, but Ja is doing it without much help, while Booker can lean on Chris Paul.

CP3 remains an advanced-stats darling, and he’s still as chill as the swiftly-melting icebergs in the clutch, but he relies upon his supporting cast more than ever for the first three quarters.

Paul George’s efficiency has plummeted, but his best teammate might be the recently resuscitated Reggie Jackson. He still plays elite defense, too, shaming all those who claim that their offensive burden is too great to expend energy on defense.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic have both had down years by their sky-high bars, but they remain two of the best players in the game. LeBron, in particular, is underappreciated this year.

The last two spots were brutal. Westbrook has put together a very good run over the last month, but Donovan Mitchell’s ascendance cannot be ignored. He’s recently found his shooting stroke, and it’s combined with some of the best playmaking and defense of his young career. Westbrook’s been good lately, too, but hasn’t had the same impact on winning that Mitchell has.

It kills me to leave off Anthony Davis, who’s having a better year than most realize and is developing some nice chemistry with Westbrook, but KAT’s all-around offensive brilliance is too tough to ignore. The advanced stats are neutral or prefer KAT.

Andrew Wiggins was interesting as a strong defender who’s found his way on offense around Curry and Green. He didn’t quite have enough to make it, but that’s more due to the West’s depth than an indictment on him.

D’Angelo Russell, a crunch-time killer, has the second-highest on/off point differential in the league (behind Jokic and ahead of two of Jokic’s teammates) and is actually trying on defense.

De’Aaron Fox looks revitalized after the firing of Luke Walton. Brandon Ingram is carrying a suddenly-respectable Pelicans squad after a sit-down with new coach Willie Green (subscription required).

Poor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit one of the most clutch shots of the season this week, only to be outdone by a 60-foot buzzer-beater. Dejount Murray has gotten better every year; just getting to league-average on threes might be enough to make him an All-Star next year.

Anthony Edwards and Kristaps Porzingis have had moments, but don’t bring consistent two-way play. Jonas Valanciunas has played well as the interior fulcrum for the Pellies, but he has a relatively low ceiling and isn’t going to displace anyone on the roster.