Now that the All-Star Starters have been released it’s time to discuss the remaining 14 roster spots for the upcoming NBA All-Star Game being held in Salt Lake City on February 19th, 2023.

The good news is that all the starters were deserving of their spot. In the past, NBA All-Star starters weren’t always the most-deserving much less even a reserve spot on the roster. The most recent controversy was Andrew Wiggins being voted in as a starter in last year’s event (even though we think he was in the conversation). However Wiggins isn’t even the most egregious choice — not by a long shot.

In any case, the ten starters all have more than earned their spots by meeting the most basic All-Star criteria of being one of the league’s best players leading teams that has won more games than they’ve lost. Well for the most part. Here are the starters for the 2023 All-Star Game:

NBA All-Star Starters: EAST

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
• Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
• Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavs

NBA All-Star Starters: WEST

• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
• Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
• Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
• Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavs
• Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors

Western Reserves

We’ll start off with our predictions for the Western reserves as we think it’s a lot more straight forward.

Looking at individual performance and matching that up with how teams are faring in the conference, it’s easy to eliminate both the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Both teams are at the bottom of the conference and don’t have a standout player that deserves recognition.

Moving up to the third worst record in the conference is the Los Angeles Lakers – they’re already being represented by LeBron as a starter (and captain), so that basically ends any consideration for a second all-star. Early on, Anthony Davis may have gotten the nod over James from us, but of course he got injured and that changed his all-star fortunes.

The easy selections for the conference are Ja Morant, Domantas Sabonis, Lauri Markkanen, and Shai Gilgeous–Alexander. We’re so confident that these four will make it that we’d place money down at a online crypto gambling platform.

Why? Well because Morant is the clear leader of the Memphis Grizzlies who are #2 in the conference. The Sacramento Kings keep lighting the beam. Though there might be discussions on whom is most-responsible for the Kings rise between Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, Sabonis’ consistent triple double threat makes it an easier than expected selection.

The Jazz have dipped as of late, but Markkanen’s play has remained high and efficient for the 26-26 Utah Jazz. The Thunder’s improved play has all but solidified SGA’s first selection to the NBA All-Star Game as one of the top scorers in the league.

The other three spots should go to Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Though all three have missed time this season, these three players are the reason why their teams are still in playoff contention.

If Booker is still out with an injury or the Phoenix Suns take a huge dip, he should be replaced with Fox.

NBA All-Star Reserves: WEST

• Ja Morant
• Damian Lillard
• Domantas Sabonis
• Lauri Markkanen
• Shai Gilgeous Alexander
• Devin Booker
• Paul George
• Alternate 1: De’Aaron Fox
• Alternate 2: Aaron Gordon
• Alternate 3: Anthony Edwards

Eastern Reserves

The first couple choices for the Eastern Conferences are no-brainers. Both Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown will be NBA All-Stars this year. From there, which players should get he remaining five spots gets a lot more complicated.

We work better visually and just so we’re clear of the candidates, we’re considering these 12 players for remaining five reserve spots (in alphabetical order by first name):

• Bam Adebayo
• Darius Garland
• DeMar DeRozan
• James Harden
• Jalen Brunson
• Jimmy Butler
• Jrue Holiday
• Julius Randle
• Myles Turner
• Pascal Siakam
• Trae Young
• Tyrese Haliburon

From this list and taking into consideration their individual playa and contributions to their team’s success, we think James Harden and Julius Randle stand above the rest in this grouping.

From there, we would reward a couple under-the-radar players like Bam Adebayo and Darius Garland. Though Miami isn’t a must-watch team, they deserve an all-star and Bam is having a great year. The last spot goes to Tyrese Haliburton who is leading the league in assists per game and a critical cog to the Indiana Pacers success this season.

All due respect to Trae, DeRozan, and Siakam, but their teams just aren’t playing well-enough and/or there’s too many flaws to make stronger cases for their candidacy. These are our Eastern All-Star reserve predictions:

• Joel Embiid
• Jaylen Brown
• Bam Adebayo
• Darius Garland
• James Harden
• Julius Randle
• Tyrese Haliburton

As much as we are fans of Haliburton, we’d wager that the first year NBA All-Star is going to be chosen last in this year’s playground style before the game tips-off. No shade on Haliburton who certainly deserves a spot, but his game doesn’t really translate to the fun and exciting up and down that the All-Star game is known for. Plus it’s easier to treat a first timer in their first game.

Even if you’re the 24th best player in the league, that’s still really really good.