When it comes to picking reserves for the Western Conference All-Stars, there's much at stake and plenty of opinions to consider. LeBron James boasts an impressive 21 All-Star appearances throughout his career, contrasting sharply with Denver’s Jamal Murray, who hasn't made it to the showcase yet. This contrast sets the stage for an engaging discussion about who truly deserves a spot among the All-Star reserves.
NBA.com often features insights from its writers on pivotal storylines and trends within the league. Now, the big question arises: who would you select as the All-Star reserves for the Western Conference?
As a reminder, the official announcement for the All-Star reserves will take place on Sunday, February 1, at 6 p.m. ET, broadcasted on NBC and Peacock.
Steve Aschburner's Picks
- Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
- Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Toughest Choice: Kawhi Leonard was the most challenging selection for me. It's interesting to see some proposed lists that exclude LeBron, but let's not forget this is a fan-centric event. Unless Commissioner Adam Silver decides to include a beloved veteran like we did with Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade back in 2019, LeBron—who is likely headed for the Hall of Fame—absolutely deserves to be showcased. My dilemma lay with fitting both him and James Harden into the lineup. A possible solution could be an All-Star job share, where they could split their playing time and weekend responsibilities, especially since they'll both be in Los Angeles.
Brian Martin's Selections
- Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
- Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Toughest Choice: After selecting Edwards, Durant, Sengun, Avdija, and Murray, the decision-making became increasingly complex due to the sheer number of deserving candidates. Should Oklahoma City send both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren to the All-Star game? Given Phoenix’s stellar performance, does Devin Booker merit inclusion? What about other stalwarts like Lauri Markkanen, James Harden, and Julius Randle? Ultimately, I leaned towards sentiment by including two players from Los Angeles. Notably, Leonard has been on fire lately, leading the league in scoring for the past month with an impressive average of 32.8 points per game, which has significantly contributed to the resurgence of his team. While the day will come when we see an All-Star Weekend without LeBron, that shouldn't be this year. The player who has continuously defied the passage of time certainly merits his 22nd consecutive All-Star nod.
Shaun Powell's Choices
- Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
- Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- James Harden, LA Clippers
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
- Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Toughest Choice: I admit to being sentimental here. The cases for Harden, James, and Durant are quite debatable; they might even be considered borderline selections. How do we weigh the qualifications of players like Lauri Markkanen, Chet Holmgren, and Devin Booker? They are undoubtedly deserving as well. However, when it comes down to close calls, my choice hinges on one crucial factor: who do fans want to see in this exciting game? It is fundamentally an exhibition meant for the fans. Thus, providing Harden, Durant, and James with one last opportunity to shine is what these legends have rightfully earned—much like how we honored icons such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar towards the ends of their respective careers.
John Schuhmann's List
- Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
- Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Toughest Choice: The hardest omissions for me were James Harden and Alperen Sengun. I awarded the final spot to Holmgren due to his outstanding efficiency as a scorer compared to the other candidates. Additionally, he ranks among the elite defenders in the league and plays a pivotal role on a team that holds the best point differential in NBA history. The remaining picks were relatively straightforward and easy to justify.
Summary of Selections
| Player | Team | Number of Times Picked |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|
| Deni Avdija | Portland Trail Blazers | 4 |
| Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets | 4 |
| Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | 4 |
| Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets | 4 |
| LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | 3 |
| Kawhi Leonard | LA Clippers | 3 |
| Alperen Sengun | Houston Rockets | 3 |
| Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | 1 |
| James Harden | LA Clippers | 1 |
| Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | 1 |
This year’s All-Star selections are sure to spark lively debates! Who do you think should make the cut? Are there any players you feel are being overlooked? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
