Guys Who Just Missed It:
Malcolm Brogdon
Like I said earlier, if there weren’t position limits, I might have picked him over Sabonis. He has a strong case with 21 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds and could make his first Allstar game if someone is too hurt to play or just opts out.
Khris Middleton
Middleton is having pretty much the same season as last year when he was an Allstar but the only difference is the Bucks aren’t nearly as good and that will hurt his case. There are other guys with better numbers, just like there were last year but since the Bucks aren’t at the top of the East, I can’t see him making it this year.
Nikola Vucevic
I have no idea how a contender haven’t lured him away from the Magic. He’s one of the best big men in the league and is having the best year of his career with 24 points and 11 rebounds but with the Magic currently sitting at 12th in the East, it’ll be hard to put him in over other guys.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons probably has the strongest case of any guy I didn’t put on the Allstar team given the Sixers are at the top of the East and he’s putting up similar numbers to his previous Allstar seasons. I just feel like there are better deserving guys this year.
Tobias Harris
Tobias also has a really strong case to be an Allstar with his 21 points and 7 rebounds which is the best season of his career. Normally, the top teams in a conference put in 2 Allstars in the Allstar game and that could very well be the case this year so it would be between him and Simmons to make it.
Jerami Grant
Grant is the leader for MIP this year and is having a breakout season putting up 23 points and 5 rebounds per game. What will keep him out of the Allstar game though is the Pistons being the worst team in the league. A lot will see his numbers and think he’s putting up empty stats. He’s certainly deserving though.
Colin Sexton
The young bull is having one hell of a season averaging 23 points and 4 assists. If the Cavs were a little better he’d have a stronger case but he’s in the same boat as Jerami Grant.
Pascal Siakim/Fred VanVleet
Both of these guys started the season slow but have come along and have made strong cases to be Allstars. Siakim is averaging 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists while VanVleet is putting up 20 points and 6 assists. The Raptors have moved up to 7th in the East and if they were a little better, one of them would be more deserving.