Western Conference
Starters – Stephen Curry (Warriors), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), LeBron James (Lakers), Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Reserves – Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Chris Paul (Suns), Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), Draymond Green (Warriors), Andrew Wiggins (Warriors), Devin Booker (Suns), Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
Just Missed The Cut – Paul George (Clippers), Dejounte Murray (Spurs), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Deandre Ayton (Suns), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
Much like the Eastern Conference, there should not be much discussion as to who the NBA All-Star starters should be in the Western Conference. Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic should get 100% of the votes to be All-Star starters this season and while you can make arguments against Ja Morant and Rudy Gobert, they both definitely deserve to be starters as well.
The Grizzlies are 32-17 this season, which nobody saw coming at the start of the year, and a lot of credit has to be given to Ja Morant. The third-year guard is averaging 25.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists and shooting 48.7% from the floor this season, not to mention, he is the catalyst for a ton of top players in the NBA this season!
The Utah Jazz have hit a rough patch in their schedule as of recent weeks, but when Rudy Gobert was put in health and safety protocols, his value was proven to everyone around the league. Without Gobert, the Jazz are 1-5 this season and the three-time Defensive Player of the Year currently leads the league in rebounding at 15.1 rebounds per game.
Moving forward to the reserves in the West, Luka Doncic, Chris Paul, Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker should all be no-doubt selections given that they are all top-tier talents at their respective positions and the fact that they are all inside the Top-10 for backcourt/frontcourt voting in the fan vote.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Five Key Predictions Ahead Of The NBA Trade Deadline
The discussion for the final few spots in the Western Conference comes down to two forward spots that I have going to Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, plus the final spot I have going to Donovan Mitchell.
The Golden State Warriors have been one of the best teams in the league this season and while a lot of this has to do with Steph Curry’s greatness, a large reason for their success is because of how good they have been defensively.
Draymond Green is one of the most impactful players in the entire NBA and he really is not that big of a factor to score the ball!
Being able to affect the course of a game every single night by doing things that don’t show up in the stat sheets is what makes Green a potential future Hall-of-Famer and right now, he is an early favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Five Key Predictions Ahead Of The NBA Trade Deadline
He has missed 13 games this season, which could factor in the decision to name Draymond Green an All-Star, but he currently leads the league in defensive rating and ranks tied for fifth in defensive win shares.
Being a factor on both ends of the floor for Golden State, Andrew Wiggins also deserves recognition for what he has done with the Warriors this season. Averaging 18.2 points, 4.2 rebound and shooting a career-high 48.2% from the floor and a career-high 40.9% from three-point range, Wiggins has quickly become a key two-way force on the wing in the Western Conference.
This spot I have occupied by Wiggins is definitely up for grabs with Paul George, Deandre Ayton and Anthony Davis also drawing consideration, but playing time is a big factor in who makes the NBA All-Star Game. George, Ayton and Davis have all missed big chunks of the season, which could lead to Andrew Wiggins claiming this spot over them.
Moving to the final spot, it is hard to come up with an argument to leave Donovan Mitchell out of the NBA All-Star Game this season. Much like Rudy Gobert, Mitchell means so much to Utah’s success and he has continued to grow as one of the league’s best overall scorers, averaging 25.5 points and shooting 45% from the floor this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Five Key Predictions Ahead Of The NBA Trade Deadline
The Jazz have stumbled in recent weeks and Donovan Mitchell has missed 8 games this season, but he ranks 11th in the league in scoring and 5th in the Western Conference in scoring, which is definitely good enough to be an All-Star.
As mentioned before, Paul George, Deandre Ayton and Anthony Davis should definitely receive attention for the NBA All-Star Game, but they have all missed large chunks of the season due to injuries, which is why it would not be fair to put them in this All-Star conversation this season.
Dejounte Murray, Anthony Edwards and Brandon Ingram are three young talents who should get consideration as well, but Edwards would have to beat out Donovan Mitchell or Devin Booker/Chris Paul for the final spot in the Western Conference and that is simply not going to happen.
Not to mention, both Murray and Ingram are on teams who are not only out of the playoff picture, but below .500 on the season, which is why it is hard to imagine that they will get the green light for the NBA All-Star Game.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Five Key Predictions Ahead Of The NBA Trade Deadline
This year’s NBA All-Star Game will once again feature some of the NBA’s best talents and it should be fun to watch all the events Cleveland will host in February!
