West Coast Guards
Playing his best basketball in his career, 22 year old Ja Morant is looking to make his first all-star appearance in the NBA. Averaging 24.7 points per game, 6.9 assist per game, 1.3 steals per game, and 5.8 rebounds per game Ja morant is second in western guards all-star voting. Drafted second overall in the 2019 NBA draft Ja Morants story about how he was discovered was a bit different then other top 3 draft picks. Ja Morant didn't make the roster at the camp that he was attending so he decided to go to a different gym, the racer hoop assistant coach James Kane went to that gym to recruit a different player. However while the coach was there he got a bit hungry and went to the consequent stand for food, and that was when he discovered Ja Morant. So If James Kane hadn't gotten hungry we probably wouldn’t be introduced to phenomenal player Ja Morant who puts up highlight reel plays consistently.
- Dylan Coutinho
Stephen Curry is a 6’2, 185-pound point guard on the Golden State Warriors. In the 2021-22 season, Curry is averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He averages 34.4 minutes per game, a field goal percentage of 42.2%, a three-point percentage of 38.6% and shooting 91.5% from the free throw line. Curry is currently the leader in most three pointers made this season. As one of the most well-known players in the NBA and arguably the best three-point shooter of all time, there are high expectations for Curry this season. Although he is performing well, his shooting statistics were higher last year as well as his points per game, averaging 32.0 points in the 2020-21 season. Still, he is a leader on and off the court, corresponding well with his starting point guard position and a crucial core member of the Golden State Warriors.
- Julianna Sumner
East Coast Guards
Leading the eastern conference guards in the NBA all-star voting, DeMar DeRozan is putting up remarkable numbers. Averaging 25.7 points per game, 4.9 assist, and 5 rebounds per game it's safe to say that Derozan has made an immediate impact on the game within the first 40 games with his new team, the Chicago Bulls. Thus, leading to the Bulls leading the eastern conference with 28 wins and only 15 loses. In his 13th season in the NBA DeMar DeRozan is looking to make his 5th all-star appearance and earn his first championship.He had started off his career with the Toronto Raptors at the age of 20 where he played 9 straight seasons with them leading them to the eastern conference finals in 2016. However, on July 18 2018 DeRozan was traded in blockbuster trade to San Antonio Spurs. He continued to play with the Spurs for 3 seasons. Finally he ended up in Chicago during free agency where he is a probable all-star and possible champion.
- Dylan Coutinho
After the departure of Kyle Lowry, the undrafted guard out of Rockford, Illinois has established a strong group of players around him. Fred VanVleet, the 27-year-old point guard for the Toronto Raptors has been playing at an elite All-Star level, currently averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists. His efforts to fill the shoes of Lowry have the Raptors currently sitting in 10th place in a very competitive eastern conference. At the rate of play VanVleet and the Raptors are currently playing at, they hope to be in a playoff position by the end of the season, but if not, will have to settle for the play-in tournament. Fred’s new role on the raptors has taken everyone’s attention, thrusting him into the 7th position on the All-Star voting.
- Treshan Fernando
West Coast Forwards
The All-Star game fan favourite of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, has been playing at an MVP level thus far. Missing games early on in the season due to injuries and health and safety protocols, Lebron hasn’t managed to lose a step, averaging 28.0 points per game while shooting 51.7 percent from the field. In addition to scoring the ball, Lebron distributes the ball well to his team, averaging 6.4 assists while grabbing 7.6 total rebounds. His efforts managed to keep the Lakers in playoff contention, currently sitting at the 8th position in the Western Conference. At the age of 37, LeBron has managed to lead his team to an almost 0.500 record with the likes of Anthony Davis sidelined and Russel Westbrook appearing on Shaqtin a’ Fool more than actual in-game highlights itself.
- Treshan Fernando
Nikola Jokic has been a beast these past 2 seasons. The reigning MVP is averaging 26.2 points per game, 7.6 assists per game, and 13.8 rebounds per game. The Nuggets are also above 0.500(26-21). Jokic is clearly an effect on his team and it's really surprising because The Nuggets don’t have their all-star guard Jamal Murray. Jokic’s effect on his team has risen him to the number one position on the Kia MVP latter. If the nuggets regain Murray, they have a solid shot at winning the Championship and Jokic has a chance of going back to back.
- Huzaifa Ahmed
Draymond Green has been the glue for the 5 consecutive finals appearances for the warriors, and yet he’s still overlooked. This season, he’s averaging 8 points, 7.6 boards, and 7.4 dimes per game. In addition to that, he has 1.4 steals and 1.2 denials per game. The stats aren’t exactly eye-popping, but they reflect the impact that Dray has on the game. Throughout his career, he has been facilitating the offence, especially with superstars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on his team. Almost every play involves a handoff, screen, or cut that works around Draymond. He attracts just enough defensive attention to make spectacular plays for his teammates. And if the defence is overplaying the pass, he’ll go right in and finish around the rim.
That's just the offensive end. Draymond is one of the premier defenders in the league, and so far, is one of the front runners for DPOY this year. While he may not have perfect on-ball defense like Kawhi, or superior rim protection like Rudy Gobert, Dray makes a living on the defensive end by being a pest around the court. He’s the epitome of the small-ball style on defence - he can switch onto smaller guards and defend them in isolation just as easily as he can defend bigs in the post.
- Ansh Aneja
East Coast Forwards
Kevin Durant is a 6’10, 240-pound power forward on the Brooklyn Nets. He is the leading scorer in the league averaging 29.3 points a game. Durant is also averaging 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in this 2021-22 season. His field goal percentage is 52%, while shooting 37.2% from the three-point line and 89.4% from the free throw line. Four days ago, Durant was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his left knee and is currently unable to play. It is expected that he will return in 4-6 weeks. Durant is known to be one of the best scorers, if not the best, in the league and potentially of all-time. Therefore, there are high expectations for him this year and coming back from this injury, it is expected for him to be back in his best shape to continue being a leading contributor to the Nets.
- Julianna Sumner
Giannis has proved himself to be the MVP for this season. Right after the Bucks and he won the championship, it seemed that every team had gotten better. The lakers and nets becoming “superteams”, everyone saying that Giannis was done for. It turns out, the lakers aren’t as good they were supposed to be with Carmelo and Westbrook, and the Nets don’t have half their players doing good. At this point, Giannis is averaging 28.6 points per game, 6 assists per game, and 11.2 rebounds per game. He’s also number 2 on the Kia MVP list. Well deserved in most people's opinions. Giannis will continue to dominate the league for the rest of your season and is set for breaking the Kareem-Abdul Jabbar team record for most points as a buck player.
- Huzaifa Ahmed
After 5 years of dominance, we shouldn’t have to debate whether Embiid deserves to be an all-star. This year, he’s taken it up a notch. He’s averaging 29.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists, along with 1.4 blocks and a steal a game. To top it off, he’s doing it on 50/38/81 splits, which is ridiculously efficient, especially for a center. Embiid leads the league in clutch points, and free throws made per game.
He’s doing all this with minimal help too - his co-star (Ben Simmons) has not played at all this season, due to personal problems. This made Embiid’s best teammate Tobias Harris, who is only averaging 18 points a game on 32 percent from long range. Embiid has had to take most of the burden for the 76ers many times this season; he’s averaging 42.5 points in his last 4 games. He’s scored less than 16 points once this season. For comparison, Stephen Curry has done that 7 times.
- Ansh Aneja