Throughout my career, I've typically written a full column to announce (and explain/defend) my suggested choices for All-Star reserve selections. On the eve of the league’s official release of the coaches’ votes in each conference, Substack allows me to do this in a more communal manner.
Let's open the floor so everyone can weigh in. Share your All-Star reserve selections in the thread below. This way we can ensure that no worthy candidate's case is overlooked.
By way of reminder: Captain Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan and Trae Young were selected as the starters in the East; Captain LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, Stephen Curry and first-timers Ja Morant and Andrew Wiggins are the starters in the West.
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Dejounte Murray should be a reserve but I can see him just missing the cut due to the Spurs record. They’re actually a lot better than people give them credit for though.
Watched the Celtics nip the Hornets tonight. LaMelo, as he is often is, was the best player on the court by a wide margin. Tatum had a typical non-call tantrum that might have cost them a win. It’s so hard to root for that guy.
East: Ball, LaVine, J. Allen, Butler, FVV, Garland, and (ugh) Tatum. Harden is out.
I think Mikal Bridges should be a sleeper for one of the wildcard spots. He plays lockdown defense on the opponents best player and has increased his offense. He won’t get in because defense isn’t “sexy” but he’s been a huge part of what the Suns have done.
Then I have issues trying to get one of the PG13 or AD (whom are not playing enough games to even qualify) or Dejounte Murray, SGA, Ingram (because their teams are closer to tank than to get a playoff push)... so I guess next spot should go to Donovan Mitchell, with Anthony Edwards or the Memphis duo of Desmond Bane/Jaren Jackson Jr. looking behind.
In the EAST, the locks should be:
G - Butler
G - LaVine
G - Harden
G - VanVleet
F - Jarrett Allen
and while I would love to have LaMelo, Jrue or Lowry here, i think the G spot is already too crowded... so I guess in this hypothetical we need 2 more Frontcourts. That gives me space for 2 out of the following group: Sabonis, Middleton, Jaylen Brown (the more efficient Celtic), Tatum (the more erratic, although more ppg celtic), Miles Bridges or Adebayo (which hasn't played enough tho)... a not-so-stretch could even be the next to be announced ROY Evan Mobley (pun intended)
I think the West is pretty easy, I would give AD a spot even tho he's missed a lot of time, could go with PG or Mitchell as well. I think you have to give Garland a spot because he's the best player on the Cavs, not Allen, but Allen will get in as well as the third frontcourt guy since Adebayo has missed time and the Pacers have sucked so no Sabonis this year. FVV is close for me and will replace KD but I think 30 out of 30 NBA teams would rather have LaMelo so I'm giving him the edge.
I think my two biggest question marks here are Dejounte and Holiday. With Dejounte, he's one of the best in the open floor, the numbers are there for him and the Spurs in Pop's year where he's likely to overtake Nelson deserve some love. With Holiday, he's been the most consistent Buck and, though they haven't met the expectations everyone had on them early, they're still really, really good, still contenders and he's kept them in it. If someone wanted to go Mitchell over Dejounte or Allen/Ball over Holiday, no argument from me. The East is really, really tough this year.
Dejounte Murray should take that final wildcard spot. Yeah the record isn't amazing for San Antonio but he's been unbelievable. Nearly a walking Double-Double now in points and assists along with always being a triple-double threat.
Add on the amazing two-way pkay and having one of the best assist to turnover ratios in the league. Should be a first time All-Star this year
To get us going ... I'm leaning toward these seven as my West reserves: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Luka Doncic, Karl-Anthony Towns and wild cards Draymond Green and ... I'm open to lobbying for that last wild-card slot.
West: KAT, Booker, CP3, Draymond, Mitchell, Luka and Gobert.
East: Allen, Garland, FVV, Harden (I just can't leave him off as much as I want to), Tatum, Lavine, Butler
Jaylen Brown should definitely be a factor in the east as well.
Dejounte Murray should be a reserve but I can see him just missing the cut due to the Spurs record. They’re actually a lot better than people give them credit for though.
What do you think about Dejounte Murray? Will he be rewarded by the coaches even though the Spurs are bad?
Nobody picking Jaren Jackson Jr.?? He definitely is in the conversation.
Ayo Dosunmu reserve for the east, I’ll trust Marc to fill the rest of my squad
Watched the Celtics nip the Hornets tonight. LaMelo, as he is often is, was the best player on the court by a wide margin. Tatum had a typical non-call tantrum that might have cost them a win. It’s so hard to root for that guy.
East: Ball, LaVine, J. Allen, Butler, FVV, Garland, and (ugh) Tatum. Harden is out.
West: KAT, CP3, Booker, Doncic, Gobert, Draymond, Mikal Bridges. Suns deserve 3 guys. Mitchell is out.
I think Mikal Bridges should be a sleeper for one of the wildcard spots. He plays lockdown defense on the opponents best player and has increased his offense. He won’t get in because defense isn’t “sexy” but he’s been a huge part of what the Suns have done.
East:
Jrue Holiday, Fred VanVleet
Zach LaVine, LaMelo Ball
Jimmy Butler, Miles Bridges
Jarrett Allen
West:
Chris Paul
Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell
Luka Doncic
Draymond Green
Rudy Gobert, Karl Anthony Towns
Harden and Tatum can spend the weekend at a silent retreat reflecting on shot selection, defense and leadership.
East reserves:
Zach LaVine
James Harden
Fred VanVleet
Jayson Tatum
Jarrett Allen
Darius Garland
LaMelo Ball*
*The reason for this pick is all in this tweet: https://twitter.com/LeagueAlerts/status/1487468042141540353
West reserves:
Rudy Gobert
Devin Booker
Chris Paul
Luka Doncic
Karl-Anthony Towns
Draymond Green
Dejounte Murray
East: Butler, VanVleet, Lavine, Harden, Holiday, LaMelo, Jarrett Allen
West: Gobert, Draymond, Towns, Booker, Paul, Doncic, Donovan Mitchell
The WEST locks should be:
F - Gobert
G - Booker
G - CP3
G - Luka
F - Draymond
F - KAT
Then I have issues trying to get one of the PG13 or AD (whom are not playing enough games to even qualify) or Dejounte Murray, SGA, Ingram (because their teams are closer to tank than to get a playoff push)... so I guess next spot should go to Donovan Mitchell, with Anthony Edwards or the Memphis duo of Desmond Bane/Jaren Jackson Jr. looking behind.
In the EAST, the locks should be:
G - Butler
G - LaVine
G - Harden
G - VanVleet
F - Jarrett Allen
and while I would love to have LaMelo, Jrue or Lowry here, i think the G spot is already too crowded... so I guess in this hypothetical we need 2 more Frontcourts. That gives me space for 2 out of the following group: Sabonis, Middleton, Jaylen Brown (the more efficient Celtic), Tatum (the more erratic, although more ppg celtic), Miles Bridges or Adebayo (which hasn't played enough tho)... a not-so-stretch could even be the next to be announced ROY Evan Mobley (pun intended)
Do you think Melo Ball makes it, Marc?
West:
Paul, Booker, Luka, KAT, AD, Gobert, Draymond (Mitchell replaces Green)
East:
Garland, LaMelo, LaVine, Harden, Allen, Butler, Tatum, (FVV replaces KD)
I think the West is pretty easy, I would give AD a spot even tho he's missed a lot of time, could go with PG or Mitchell as well. I think you have to give Garland a spot because he's the best player on the Cavs, not Allen, but Allen will get in as well as the third frontcourt guy since Adebayo has missed time and the Pacers have sucked so no Sabonis this year. FVV is close for me and will replace KD but I think 30 out of 30 NBA teams would rather have LaMelo so I'm giving him the edge.
West: Gobert, Booker, Draymond, KAT, Luka, CP3, Dejounte. East: Lavine, Harden, Butler, Tatum, FVV, Garland, Jrue Holiday.
I think my two biggest question marks here are Dejounte and Holiday. With Dejounte, he's one of the best in the open floor, the numbers are there for him and the Spurs in Pop's year where he's likely to overtake Nelson deserve some love. With Holiday, he's been the most consistent Buck and, though they haven't met the expectations everyone had on them early, they're still really, really good, still contenders and he's kept them in it. If someone wanted to go Mitchell over Dejounte or Allen/Ball over Holiday, no argument from me. The East is really, really tough this year.
West Reserves:
Doncic, CP3, Gobert, Towns, Davis, Mitchell, and Booker
East Reserves:
LaVine, VanVleet, Butler, Allen, Tatum, Harden, and Ball
Dejounte Murray should take that final wildcard spot. Yeah the record isn't amazing for San Antonio but he's been unbelievable. Nearly a walking Double-Double now in points and assists along with always being a triple-double threat.
Add on the amazing two-way pkay and having one of the best assist to turnover ratios in the league. Should be a first time All-Star this year
West
Booker, Mitchell
Doncic, Gobert, KAT
CP3
Draymond
If injury replacement needed: Dejounte
East
LaVine, Harden
Tatum, Butler, Allen
FVV
Garland
KD injury replacement: Ball
East is so tough. Man ... I've got so names. Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, Fred VanVleet, James Harden ... then chaos. Help me sort it out.
To get us going ... I'm leaning toward these seven as my West reserves: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, Luka Doncic, Karl-Anthony Towns and wild cards Draymond Green and ... I'm open to lobbying for that last wild-card slot.
West
Luka
Booker
PG13
Draymond
Gobert
CP3
KAT
East
Harden
Lavine
Tatum
Siakam
Butler
Garland
Jarrett Allen
West
Luka
CP3
Booker
Mitchell
Gobert
Draymond
Towns
East
LaVine
Harden
VanVleet
Garland
Butler
Tatum
Middleton
LaMelo (injury replacement for KD)
DEVIN BOOKER. CHRIS PAUL. DEANDRE AYTON. MICHAEL BRIDGES.