With the 10 titles which will begin in Salt Lake City after the announcement of the discussion of the NBA All-Star Game 2023 moves to alternates. Who should fill the remaining 14 spots for the highly anticipated game in Utah? The answer to this question will depend on the fan being asked, although there are always consensus names.
In an age where more and more stars are in the NBA and the talent doesn’t stop growing, it is difficult to keep 14 players, more if they are divided by position and only 7 from each conference can be substitutes.
With Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum as starters in the East, who should the alternates be? It’s time to break it down.
Before starting a reminder, the positions you need to understand are: 3 guards2 front court and 2 players wild card.
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Joel Embiid
The great victim of the system election by seats It was Joel Embiid. The 76ers point guard is having an outstanding MVP-caliber season once again, but he’s been hurt by not being one of the three best backs.
The Cameroonian deserves to be an All-Star, no doubt about it. A dominant interior that gives a new dimension to its game thanks to the arrival of James Harden. All this in a course in which he’s on track to be the leading scorer again at a 33.4-point pace.
Jimmy Butler
The Miami Heat’s season has not lived up to expectations, and neither has Jimmy Butler, who remains impressive as a player.
The veteran forward is having his best scoring season since arriving at Florida (21.6 ppg) as he raises his shooting percentage to 54.8% of 2 and 31.3% of threeboth the best records from 2019.
James Harden
Another who is experiencing a moment of great form is the 2018 MVP. Harden seems to have recovered from the physical issues that plagued him the last two seasons, and this 2023 it looks like his All-Star induction will be more than worthy .
Beard is introduced as the NBA assist leader this season at an 11.1 rate as well as one of the league’s leading playmakers at 28.9 points per assist per night.
Jaylen Brown
The other “leg” supporting the Celtics’ offensive record also fell for the first time since starting. Brown was third for fans and players and second for the press among them guards, a reflection of how well he is playing and the step forward he has experienced this season.
The shooting guard has significantly increased his scoring production, going from 23.6 to 26.9 average points while also improving his shooting percentage to 49.2% from the field.
Jaylen Brunson
The last time a guard of the Knicks was selected as an All-Star running back of the year 2001, when Alan Huston received his second nomination. Jalen Brunson can join other greats like John Starks, Mark Jackson or Michael Ray Richardson in a dream season for him.
Brunson is on pace for the second-highest scoring season by a Knicks point guard in history thanks to 22.2 points average. A huge step forward that will see him make his debut in the competition.
Tyrese Haliburton
The first of the two wild card must go for Tyrese Haliburton, who has been playing at an All-Star level since joining the Indiana Pacers in February 2022. The 22-year-old has taken on the challenge of leading his franchise in a rebuild, but he’s doing so with a great level of play and maturity.
Halliburton is second in the league in assists (10.2) while averaging 20.2 points on 39.9% 3-point range. Excellent base performance.
Pascal Siakam
And the last of these free tickets has its own name as it is that of the Raptors forward. The Canadiens may not be in their prime, even if his name is in the trade rumors, but there’s no question that Pascal Siakam deserves an All-Star spot.
The Cameroonian is having the best scoring campaign of his career 25.2 points to which he adds 8.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists on average. Some numbers are only accessible from Jokic, Doncic and LeBron in this run.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
