Voting for the NBA 2020 All-Star Game has opened up, so let’s examine who should be voted in for the Eastern Conference.
Backcourt Selections
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
There are many permutations to consider when parsing through the top guards in the east. Where would the Pacers be without Malcolm Brogdon? Should we throw Kemba Walker in here for reviving the Celtics? Do either Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet deserve consideration for helping to keep the Raptors afloat? Can we recognize Devonte’ Graham‘s breakout as legit?
Ultimately, Ben Simmons and Bradley Beal get the nod here, though both candidacies have their flaws. Simmons’ raw stats could be more impressive; Beal could be more efficient. But the circumstances surrounding each player matter in addition to the stats. Simmons’ defensive prowess has been on display, while Beal has showcased his ability as a first-option scorer (28.2 PPG) and top facilitator (7.0 APG) despite having defenses key on him nearly every game.
Frontcourt Selections
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Giannis leads the league in TPA and is the frontrunner to win the MVP award again. Embiid is having another dominant season and has only missed six games so far.
Butler’s debut season in Miami has gone as well as anyone had hoped. The 30-year-old wing is averaging a career-high in assists, doling out nearly twice as many setups (6.8 APG) as his career average (3.6). His advanced stats are rather impressive as well. Out of all Eastern Conference players, Butler sits third in TPA, second in plus/minus, and third in VORP. He’s lifted the team statistically, all while being a consummate teammate.
Giving Butler the nod over Pascal Siakam was not an easy decision. If this were All-NBA, I might have slotted Butler as a guard (he’s expected to be a G/F on that ballet) and given Siakam the last forward slot. However, the power forward has no timetable to return from his groin injury and that – coupled with his dip in efficiency this season – cost Siakam a starting spot.
Who do you believe should be the starters in the Eastern Conference? Take to the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say!
I wouldn’t have been upset to see Young start over Beal. Can’t go wrong with either of course but Young does have Beal in %’s, assists and points. Beal does play better D. So like I said I would’ve been fine with either. That’s really the only one close in my mind.
Young is also 14th in the league in PER
But it’s hard to award any player on a team with 6 wins out of 30 games.
Well, wizards have 9 wins…
The changes I would make are in the backcourt. Beal is good but the Wiz are horrible and the Sixers would be better without Simmons then with. He’s truly holding them back. Walker is the lead guard on the team with the 2nd best record in the east and Dinwiddie is having an amazing season. Honorable mentions to Vanvleet, Brogdon, Adebayo, Siakim and Tatum.
Backcourt
Walker
Dinwiddie
Frontcourt
Antetokounmpo
Embiid
Butler
“The sixers would be better without Simmons than with” is truly a laughable statement
Well, yeah, if they were playing with only 4 people on the court. But, depending on who is replacing Simmons, he’s got a good point.
Im not dissing Simmons or the Sixers. Simmons could be very good to great. Just not in Philly. He just doesn’t fit the system since he can’t or won’t shoot. He needs to develop a jump shot or they need to move him somewhere where he can thrive and the 6ers hopefully can get someone back that plays D and can shoot. Ironically someone Like Jrue Holiday would be perfect. Then again the Pelicans don’t have the shooters either.
Not that laughable. I can think of at least 10 PGs who would make the Sixers a better team than they are now with Simmons. I just don’t see a good fit. If they don’t make the Finals this year, I think it’s fair to trade him.
Loooooool
I’m sorry but Dinwiddie isn’t having a better season than Beal, Young or Kemba in the East.
I put Kemba in. I really like Beal and Young’s games but how much of their stat lines are just empty numbers.
The guard situation is SMH. Heck put Butler at PG.
He’s more of a guard than Simmons anyway. Just because a guy gets a bunch of assists doesn’t automatically make him a PG. It’s laughable that the Sixers insist on listing him as a PG, just ridiculous.
Embiid is the Center
Horford is the PF
Tobias is the Three
Richardson is the Two.
Simmons is the primary ballhandler. He initiates offense more often than anyone else on the team. He receives the most outlet passes off defensive rebounds. If he gets a def rebound, he does not look to make any outlet pass.
What would you prefer to call his position, especially in relation to the other 4 starter’s roles and positions?
People forget. The best Point Guard of all time was only 1 inch shorter than Simmons.
Magic Johnson actually was a PG, Simmons is not.
lolol
When Butler was in Philly, he kind of took charge during the playoffs. Embiid was talking about it.
Simmons does not create any shape or flow to the Sixers offense once they’re in halfcourt. He’s outstanding on the break, just charging into the lane like Westbrook, but it’s hard to consider Simmons a complete PG. He’s not figuring an opponent out for a 7 game series… Philly has to overwhelm opponents.
But it all worked against the Bucks yesterday!
Trae Young not even mentioned in the article is laughable. He should absolutely start over Simmons and Beal.
Trae Young
Bradley Beal
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Domantas Sabonis
Joel Embiid
If it wasn’t for the injury Kyrie would get in for Beal, as he was playing at his best ever.
Simmons should be there but… Is a victim of the best starting 5 of the league and his numbers are down from last 2 years.
Butler and Siakam could be in, but Domas has been outrageously good as the main man for an impressive Indy team.
Drummond and Adebayo also have been great at 5, especially surprising to me has been Adebayo, never thought much of him, but this year he has been a beast so far.
Walker should easily start over Simmons. Kemba is the leading scorer on the East’s 2 seed, and the East’s 2 seed needs a starter. He’s also having a career year from deep on high volume, and at the line.
I’m not really sure Simmons should even be in the All-Star game frankly… his defense is good, but he’s not really improved on last year.
My pick is pretty similar
– Giannis
– Embiied
– Bradley Beal
– Siakam instead of Butler
– Zach lavine instead of Ben Simmons
Kemba
Beal
Butler
Greek Freak
Drummond
Jordan Harper Pippen Kucok Longley
My response here is the same as Sebastian Maniscalco when people knock on his door today versus 20 years ago.
“What the f…..”
Kemba
butler
siakam
Giannis
Embiid
He may not be a starter, but Spencer Dinwiddie should have been mentioned next to the other 7.
Kemba and Lowry for me, the frontcourt I agree.
Walker / Simmons / Giannis / Siakom/ Embiid
Beal / Brogdon / Harris / Butler / Sabonis