The public, the media and the players have given their verdict, and we know the names of the holders for the All-Star Game 2021. In the East, they are Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embid. For the West, heavy too with Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jokic.
In the East, Kevin Durant remains captain even if he will not play. In the West, it’s LeBron James with his 18th selection, which equals the number of Kobe Bryant, and brings him a little closer to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19 times All-Star).
For the replacements, it is the coaches of the two conferences who are responsible for designating the 14 lucky ones, 7 per conference. Knowing that a coach does not have the right to vote for one of his players. The announcement will take place on February 3, 2022, and the “Draft” by the two captains will take place on February 10, 2022.
Here are our choices, and like every year, there will be debate.
EAST CONFERENCE
five major : Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant*, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid
Predictions : James Harden, Zach LaVine, Darius Garland, Jimmy Butler, Miles Bridges, Jayson Tatum, Jarrett Allen
Drafted : Fred VanVleet in place of Kevin Durant
Failed : Jrue Holiday, LaMelo Ball, Bradley Beal, Domantas Sabonis, Khris Middleton, Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam
Difficult to find seven essential players, even if some are sure to have their place. We think of Zach LaVine who will accompany DeMar DeRozan, James Harden who will represent the Nets, Jimmy Butler, even if he missed about fifteen matches, and Darius Garland, real candidate for the title of Most Improved Player. There are then three places left, and six, seven names emerge. Under the panels it is Jarrett Allen who is one step ahead. Domantas Sabonis blackens the sheet, but the Pacers are in the cabbage, and the coaches will undoubtedly seek to reward a player from a better team. Although it can be annoying, Jayson Tatum remains a formidable talent, and he will be preferred to Jaylen Brown to represent Boston. Another team that deserves to have a representative: the Hornets. For LaMelo Ball, it will be complicated, and we prefer Miles Bridges, another candidate for the Most Improved Player trophy. On the wing, he will compete with Khris Middleton, still as regular but the Bucks are less sovereign this season. Finally, to replace injured Kevin Durant, we are betting on Fred VanVleet even if it’s not job for job.
WEST CONFERENCE
five major : Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jokic
Predictions : Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert.
Failed : Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Dejounte Murray, Dillon Brooks and Paul George (injured).
Clearly, it’s much simpler in the West, and five, even six players, almost have their ticket already in their pocket. It is Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert. Donovan Mitchell also seems to be one step ahead of the outposts. There is therefore one place left, rather in the “frontcourt”, and if Wolves’ correct season is to be rewarded, it is Karl Anthony Towns who should find a place in the all-star game.
