Reagan’s All-Star Reserve Picks
Eastern Conference
Jimmy Butler
Butler has been undisputedly the best player on and leader of a Heat team that has exceeded all expectations, currently sitting at second in the East. There is an argument to be made for his being an All-Star starter, let alone just a reserve.
Bam Adebayo
It’s only fitting that we go from one Miami star to the other. With Hassan Whiteside out of the picture, many thought that Adebayo could take a second-year jump… yet few saw a leap such as this. In just one year’s time, the 6’10” big has gone from an energetic bench player to one of the league’s premier centers.
Ben Simmons
Although the jumper still isn’t anywhere near where it should be as a guard, Simmons has dominated just about every other facet of the game this season. The 76ers have been somewhat of a disappointment, but that shouldn’t take away from the amazing performance that the third year LSU product has put on thus far.
Jayson Tatum
As a Lakers fan, this one pains me. However, my bias isn’t strong enough to cloud the fact that Tatum is averaging over 21 points per game, in addition to playing lockdown defense, on a Celtics team that has solidified its place among the best in the league.
Bradley Beal
I’m surprised that this is even in question for some people (ahem, Mr. Sun). Although the Wizards are completely depleted of talent, Beal, who is averaging nearly 28 points per game this season, has led them to being the 11th ranked offense in the NBA.
Kyrie Irving
Look, I get it. Dude’s been hurt a lot this year. But when he is on the court, there’s no denying the talent: he’s easily a top three point guard in the league right now. Plus, who doesn’t want to see Irving in a pickup-style basketball game?
Kyle Lowry
To be frank, I’m still questioning this one. However, given the success of the Raptors in the wake of the Kawhi departure, and a strong 20.1/4.5/7.4 stat line, I’m willing to reward Lowry with another All-Star berth.
Notable Omissions
Khris Middleton
Not going to lie, I’ve missed how well Middleton has been playing this year. Had I known before constructing my picks, he likely would’ve made this list ahead of Lowry. Chalk it up to ESPN not covering the Bucks enough.
Domantas Sabonis
I’m not sure if there is a big man quota that the NBA has to meet on the All-Star game, but if there is, Sabonis had better be next up on queue. He’s been great this year… just not better than the guys I have ahead of him.
Andre Drummond
The numbers look remarkable, sure. But what exactly is he really adding for the Pistons right now?
Western Conference
Damian Lillard
At this point, the days of Lillard being underappreciated are over. He has been and will continue to be a regular at the midseason festivities.
Nikola Jokic
After a relatively slow start to the season (which forced me to trade him from my fantasy team), Jokic has fallen into a groove and is now performing like the revolutionary playmaking big that we’ve all become accustomed to seeing.
Karl Anthony-Towns
From one dominant center to another. KAT is shooting the ball at an unprecedented rate for his position and, when he’s been on the court, has been the difference between the Timberwolves being a fringe playoff team or among the worst in the NBA.
Russell Westbrook
I don’t care how “empty” some may believe Westbrook’s numbers to be. 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists are not easy to come by in this league. Couple that with the fact that the Rockets are sitting pretty at 5th in the West, and it would be a sin to not include Brodie among this year’s All-Stars.
Devin Booker
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time. Booker has been one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers from the moment he stepped on the court at 19 years old — and this season is no different. Averaging nearly 27 points per game on over fifty percent shooting from the field, Booker has more than earned his ticket to Chicago.
Brandon Ingram
Guess all the guy needed was a change of scenery, huh? In his fourth season, Ingram has finally blossomed into the bucket getter that everyone projected him to be coming out of Duke. This will be one of many All-Star games to come for the young star.
Donovan Mitchell
The Jazz have been one of the more consistently great teams throughout the regular season thus far, and two men have led the way in this success. Unfortunately, I only have space left for one (I will get to the other later). The edge goes to Mitchell because, ultimately, offense is more valuable than defense.
Notable Omissions
Rudy Gobert
The other Jazz star just misses the cut yet again. There is no explanation other than the wealth of talent that exists in the Western Conference. Please don’t cry, man.
Paul George
George is a great player, but the learning curve that comes with playing next to The Claw has clearly taken its toll on his production. But hey, all that regular season mumbo jumbo doesn’t matter anyway, right?
Ja Morant
Not going to lie, I really wanted this one. Morant has been nothing short of exceptional for Memphis this season, on and off the court. There will be many All-Star games for the young guard, but this year is not one of them.
