After revealing the 10 All-Star starters for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game last week, the league announced the seven reserves from each conference on Thursday night. The All-Star rosters are as follows:
Western Conference
Starters:
Stephen Curry, G (Warriors)- Ja Morant, G (Grizzlies)
- LeBron James, F (Lakers)
- Andrew Wiggins, F (Warriors)
- Nikola Jokic, C (Nuggets)
Reserves:
- Devin Booker, G (Suns)
- Chris Paul, G (Suns)
- Donovan Mitchell, G (Jazz)
- Luka Doncic, G (Mavericks)
- Draymond Green, F/C (Warriors)
- Karl-Anthony Towns, F/C (Timberwolves)
- Rudy Gobert, C (Jazz)
Eastern Conference
Starters:
- DeMar DeRozan, G (Bulls)
- Trae Young, G (Hawks)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F (Bucks)
- Kevin Durant, F (Nets)
- Joel Embiid, C (Sixers)
Reserves:
- Darius Garland, G (Cavaliers)
- James Harden, G (Nets)
- Zach LaVine, G (Bulls)
- Fred VanVleet, G (Raptors)
- Jimmy Butler, G/F (Heat)
- Khris Middleton, F (Bucks)
- Jayson Tatum, F (Celtics)
We can expect at least two players – one from each conference – to be named as replacements in the coming days, since Green and Durant aren’t expected to play in the All-Star Game.
Before that happens though, we want to get your take on which players were the most notable omissions from the initial 24 All-Stars and which guys should be first in line when replacements are selected.
I’d personally have a hard time subbing out any of the Western players who were selected as All-Star reserves — I thought the coaches did a pretty good job. When it comes to naming Western Conference replacements, Spurs guard Dejounte Murray would probably be at the top of my list, followed closely by Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Suns forward Mikal Bridges.
There were plenty of deserving candidates in the Eastern Conference, where you could make legitimate cases for Hornets starters LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Pacers center Domantas Sabonis, Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. Obviously, there’s not room for all of them, but any would be worthy replacement All-Stars, and some of them probably had stronger cases than Middleton to be included in the top 12.
What do you think? Did voters get it right with the initial 24 All-Stars or were any of those players undeserving? Which players do you think should be the top choices for commissioner Adam Silver when he names replacements?
For the west dejounte murray should be in over draymond(I think he will replace him anyways). For the east lamelo ball got snubbed. I like where the nhl and mlb has one rep from each team- average wizards fan
People that don’t watch the NBA do not know how great a player Green is. Just because Green loves winning more than padding stats doesn’t lessen his value. Green is the most dominating force on defense. Defense wins as you know watching rookies beat Murray on defense the other night.
Everyone’s in here complaining about Draymond when the Warrior we should be complaining about is Wiggins.
Wiggins got his due, with a national tv game right after his starting nod to show off his style.
How does Butler not make it? Best player on #2 team, winning leadership. Bam has missed half the year.
I question Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler & James Harden. And I think whether a team is up there or not should not influence voters. I think Celts Jaylen Brown, a two way player averaging over 25 points a game should have been included.
If the Celtics season weren’t so inconsistent, I think Brown would’ve had a stronger case. But even if the Celtics had a higher seed, he shouldn’t be in over Ball.
Celtics aren’t good enough to warrant two All-Stars.
In the West, there were so few good frontcourt options but Green was a lock given how well he’s played on defense in addition to his passing.
I don’t think you can question any of those three,
Green was DPOTY front runner before he got Injured and if you watch GS you see he’s their best player after Steph. And that includes Wiggins and Klay.
Butler is the best in one of the best teams averaging 22-6-6 which is better than most of the included. Plus his overall contribution to the game shows why he gets the nod.
Harden is averaging nearly a triple double, which if he does so would be huge. He had a poor start but he’s looking better by the day. You can’t miss him out.
I agree Jaylen was a snub, just as Lamelo was but the other reserves are more deserving.
no way Draymond Green should have been in over Murray.
Tell me you don’t watch the NBA without telling me you don’t watch the NBA
In the West, Murray and Valanciunas were robbed – though Murray should be named a replacement for Draymond.
In the East, Ball and Sabonis should be in over Middleton and Butler. Hopefully Ball is named a replacement if anyone from the East can’t go.
The best player on an awful Pacers team over the best player on the current no. 2 seed and a Finals hero who’s averaging almost 20 PPG for a contender on good efficiency? Hellllllll no.
Ball deserves to be in though, just not over either guy.
Middleton never gets any love. He’s the closer for the defending champs!
So few good frontcourt options in both conferences, especially the West (looking at you, Wiggins). I’d have put in Murray over Wiggins. I’d even have given a spot to injured Paul George over Wiggins. Gobert should have been starting in the frontcourt.
As a Bucks fan, I’d have put in Holiday over Middleton, but the latter was really good in January and the former missed two weeks. So I get it.
Before last month, I’d have gone with Allen over Garland as the Cavs’ All-Star. I also would have picked Holiday over VanVleet. Obviously, FVV came on really strong recently so he belongs. Garland making it over Allen hurt Holiday’s chances, so that opened the door for Middleton, who deserved it over Siakam, Sabonis, or Bridges.
Would have liked to have seen LaMelo Ball on the team, though. Charlotte has been good enough to deserve an All-Star, and Ball is having nearly as good of a season as Garland and FVV. I can’t quibble with any of the East reserves, so Ball should absolutely be KD’s injury replacement. Too bad he wasn’t named to the roster outright because it would have been warranted.
I feel Middleton often scores honors by the skin of his teeth. So I would add him to Lavine in choosing another. So along with injured Durant, 3 to add…
WC: 1-SGA— in for Dray, easy choice, but injured, so… 2- D.Murray
EC: 1-Sabonis: 46/53 games at 35′, 23 PER, 4.9 BPM, +5 onoff, 65% TS, 19 TRB%, 23 AST%, Last two ASGs, maybe his best year, but losing team.
Jarrett Allen’s stats are similar but a bit behind, except 70% TS and a typical center AST%… his job is finishing… unlikely choice.
Jrue & Tobias are too invisible.
Lamelo Ball… I mentioned yesterday
Jaylen Brown… Boston is not too low for two ASs (#9). Brown only played 39 games but plays better defense. Both had high onoffs. link to stathead.com
Jrue is more deserving than you’re giving him credit for. Last night he stole the Clippers’ cookies early and often on defense plus had a huge offensive game, stepping on their throats in the fourth quarter when LA made its run.
Green is not an all star this yr. Murray definitely should of been the pick. Hopefully they give it to him now.
Wiggins deserves to be on team. No way he should start ahead of Booker. Wiggins has become a better team player. And he plays both ways now. Warriors have helped him to be better all around. He can still put up 30 when he wants to. Not a starter to me
All Star Draft Predictions
Team Lebron:
Starters – Curry, Ja, Embiid, Trae, (LeBron)
Reserves – Paul, Booker, Luka, Murray, LaMelo, Towns, FVV
Team KD:
Starter – Giannis, DeRozan, Tatum, Jokic, Wiggins
Reserves – Harden, LaVine, Butler, Mitchell, Middleton, Garland, Gobert
1. Murray replaces Draymond, LaMelo replaced KD. Tatum into starter pool
2. LeBron picks Curry first. But he could also pick Ja (in which case I hope KD takes Steph first)
3. LeBron will pick CP3 as first reserve and then KD will pick Harden (teammate) as his first reserve
4. KD will pick team USA players – DeRozan & Jimmy (from 2016), Tatum, LaVine, Middleton
5. LeBron will take Murray early (Klutch guy)
6. Wiggins will be last starter selected. Gobert will be last pick overall.
Murray, LaMelo & Sabonis got snubbed big time, all 3 could easily be starters!
LaMelo is having a better season than FVV, DG, ZLV or any other guard in the EC!
Sabonis is playing light years better than K-Mid, as anyone can see!
Murray should start with Luka in the WC!
LaMelo is definitely having a worse statistical season than FVV and Garland, just look at the numbers. Ball deserves to be there but the other two eclipse him in almost every category except rebounds. Plus their teams are better.
Middleton is scoring more than Sabonis (way more per 36) and gets more assists so no, no one can see it because it’s not actually happening. Light years? Hardly. Not to mention the Pacers are one of the league’s worst teams.
Are you trying to reward MIL for their title? New year! (IMO the Bucks got their reward.)
Middleton is cruising as he does— and the team has been this year, relying on intimidation— and Jrue plays hunched over & sneaky.
Both Balls are front & center & standing tall (sounds erotic lol).
The stats are similar all around with the contenders.
The small advantage in assists & scoring for Middleton does not match the large advantage Sabonis has in rebounds & true shooting & FG%.