NBA All-Star voting started on Christmas Day, and like every year, it’s an exciting time. Fans can vote for their favorite players in hopes of seeing them in the All-Star game, and usually, that’s exactly what happens.
The NBA’s best players play each other, and it’s nonstop action. From exciting dunks to ridiculous deep 3-pointers, the All-Star game keeps fans on the edge of their seats. And this year is no exception.
There are a lot of players having great seasons, and come All-Star weekend; there is a good chance we’ll see them as starters.
Here are my choices for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.
1.) Trae Young
Trae Young is an exciting young guard that’s making a name for himself. In only the third year of his career, Young is already a one-time All-Star. He was a starter for Team Giannis in 2020 and finished the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Young didn’t make the 2021 All-Star game, and many considered it a snub. And with the game being in Atlanta, it was strange to see the Hawks’ star not make the team. But this year is different.
Young should be in Cleveland as an All-Star starter, and if not, this will definitely confirm the snub talks.
2.) DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is a four-time All-Star, and by the look of things, he’s going for his fifth.
DeRozan is playing well for the Chicago Bulls. This is his best season (scoring wise) since 2017, and he’s helped the Bulls become one of the best teams in the East. If that isn’t All-Star worthy, I don’t know what is.
While Zach LaVine was an All-Star in 2020-21, he was selected by the coaches. If DeRozan becomes a starter, he’ll be the Bulls’ first fan vote selection since Jimmy Butler in 2016-17. So, it would be something special for a young Bulls team on the rise. And with the year DeRozan is having, he deserves to be an All-Star.
3.) Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is playing well, and with him leaving protocols, expect more from this former MVP. Durant has been critical in the Nets’ success this season, especially with Irving out and Harden’s somewhat lackluster season.
Durant is an 11-time All-Star, and on some occasions, he was team captain. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
4.) Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a five-time All-Star and was the MVP in last year’s game. The “Greek Freak” makes the All-Star game exciting, and it doesn’t make sense to exclude him.
Antetokounmpo deserves to be an All-Star as he has another solid season, and as one of the NBA’s most popular players, fans want him in the game. It would be shocking if he isn’t named a starter.
5.) Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is one of the best centers in the game. He has the game of an old-school big man and can dominate opposing teams. He’s also a four-time All-Star.
While there is another center in the East having a great season (who I’ll mention later), Embiid is most likely the starting center for the East.
The All-Star game is always exciting, and although the NBA introduced a new format that gets rid of East vs. West, the voting process remains the same. And the players mentioned in this article have strong chances of being starters.