‘The Freak’ is #1. Undeserving Lowry is #24.
The All-Star Game is quickly approaching us and, personally, I can’t wait! The game, which will be held in Charlotte NC this year, is primed to be great and full of storylines!
But I’m not here to talk about the game. I’ll rank the All-Stars selected for the game. So here we go!
#1 Giannis Antetokumpo, Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis is a transcendent talent! He has it all, from getting to the rim to a fadeaway jumper in his much improved post-up game. His three-point shot is a work in progress but, in due time, he’ll be even more scarey then he is now. ‘The Greek Freak’ has his team sitting at top of the Eastern Conference, averaging 26.9 ppg and 12.6 rpg. He’s a top candidate in the MVP race. Let’s face it: The Freak is a talent we see only once in a lifetime.
#2 James Harden, Houston Rockets: Harden is having another historic year, averaging over 40 per in the month of January! He had to put the load on his back because Chris Paul has been out for a couple of weeks. and then Big Man Capella went down. He has the Rockets sitting at (30-22), which is the 6th seed in the West. He is leading the league in scoring, dropping 36.3 points per game, and is also averaging 8.1 assists a game. There’s no doubt that he can win another MVP, but we all know that he is gunning for an NBA Title.
#3 Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors: Leonard has been superb this 2018-2019 season by leading ‘The North’ to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Many people wondered if the Klaw would get back to his old ways of dominating a game at both ends of the floor. He has done just that: averaging 27.6 points per, 7.9 boards, and 1.9 steals. The star is primed to lead the new-look Raptors to the Promised Land (the NBA Finals). I can see him getting yet another Defensive Player of the Year award because he is a game-changer. Add to that…he’s a game-changer on the offensive end of the court.
#4 Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder: PG13 is playing at an MVP Level this year, making a case to say “Why Not Us?” Translated: Why can’t the Thunder make the Finals this year? Well, that’s a whole other matter, but in individualism, at least, Paul George has been nothing short of stellar. After George surprisingly re-signed with the Thunder this summer, everyone in the media thought it was the wrong move. Well, it looks as though PG13 is making the Thunder HIS team. He is fourth in scoring (27.8 per) and is second in steals, behind backcourt mate, Russ, averaging 2.3 steals per.
#5 Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors: What more can you say about The Greatest Shooter on this planet! This guy has overcome injury after injury and has won three rings! Curry has the MonStars (aka the Golden State Warriors) at the top of the Western Conference, yet again, with a record of 37-15. The Sharpshooter can spark a 20-0 run in a heartbeat! This year is he is averaging 29.2 points per game, which makes him the 3rd leading scorer in the Association. Steph Curry just keeps it going, year in and year out! Expect this guy to lead his team to a 5th straight title appearance!
#6 Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors: Kevin ‘The Snake’ Durant. Well. well, well! The guy is having another phenomenal year. He’s a two-time champ and wants more. No matter what is being said in the media about free agency, Kevin has stayed focused, dropping 27.5 Points per game. He has been scoring like that for 11 years straight years! Most say that he is the best scorer to ever step foot in the league.
#7 Joel Embid, Philadelphia 76ers: Embid is having his best year. Embid is one of those players that you can’t guard no matter what you do. He can take you down to the post, shoot a short corner jumper, fade away to create separation, and shoot the deep ball. He is arguably the best center in the game because he produces on the offense and plays solid defense. His numbers are 27.4 ppg, 13.5 rpg, and two bpg. He has the most double-doubles this season.
#8 Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics: Mr. Irving has had an up-and-down season, but there’s no doubt that this man is one of the best point guards in the league. But the talk around the league is that his play has declined a little bit. And the talk about Irving leaving the Celtics has caused problems. But, still, the Celtics sit at 35-19, 3rd in the East, in a conference that’s up for grabs. Kyrie is at 23.8 ppg and 7 apg. But it’s yet to be seen if Irving can lead the ‘Confusing Celtics’ to another banner in TD Garden.
#9 Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: They call him ‘The Joker’ when he is on the court. What’s the reason? He’s diabolical with the ball anywhere on the court. And he’s one of the biggest surprises in the league this year. Jokic has the young upstart Nuggets sitting at 37-17, which happens to be the best midpoint mark for the Nuggets … ever!. Make no mistake about it: that doesn’t happen without Jokic. He sees the floor like a point guard, has nifty post moves, and is crafty under the rim. He’s dropping 20.2 points per game and snatching 10.5 rebounds a game. Jokic is also hitting threes at a 37% rate, which is really good for a big man. This will be his first All-Star game. When asked about that accomplishment, he said: “ I did not want to be an All-Star. I just want to be a normal guy.”
#10 LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: Am I crazy? LeBron #10! Yes. ‘Bron has been out since Christmas and just came back this week. He has taken on a new role with a new team. But he’s still putting up the numbers-26.9 ppg at age 34. He is grabbing just under 7 boards a game and dishing out 7.3 assist a game. LeBron has enough to get the young, ratty Lakers to the playoffs, but they sit at the 10th spot in the West at 27-27.
#11 Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets: This is not the first time for Kemba, but it is his first time as a starter. And how thrilling is that? The game is on his home court. Kemba has been on a tear this year, but the team has not followed his lead. Kemba deserves to be surrounded by better players. Jordan needs to some moves!
#12 Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans: Davis has had yet another unbelievable season, but he hasn’t played for more than 15 games. Plus, we all know that HE WANTS OUT! At 29.3 points a game, 13.3 boards a game, and 2.6 blocks a game, he would have been #2 on my list–had it not been for missing games.
#13 Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers: The 6’10 point guard is having himself a year! The Sixers are having a great year and Simmons is probably one of the biggest reasons why. He’s one of the best passers in the league and is so under control with the ball. He creates mismatches and sets up his teammates very well. He is a young Magic Johnson with solid numbers: 17 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 8 apg. This man is basically a triple-double machine.
#14 Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards: Brad Beal has stolen the show, even though he plays on one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NBA. With John Wall out of the picture, Beal has been carrying the load. The Wizards sit at #10 in the ‘Dumpster Trash’ known as the Eastern Conference (22-32). Beal is alone in Washington, but has stepped up and is balling: 24.9 ppg and hitting around 5-6 threes a game. He also made history as the youngest player to hit 1,000 threes.
#15 Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: ‘Dame Dolla’ has always been doubted, no matter what. Even though the guard is nothing short of great, people talk and talk about Dame not getting the job done come Playoff time. Yea, he hasn’t taken his team to the WCF, but lol: the Warriors are in the West. Dah! And, let’s face it: the Blazers are a couple of players short. Still, Lillard is doing his job: 26.2 points per and rattling off 6.3 assists a game. He and his backcourt mate, CJ McCollum, should be thinking 3rd Round this year, but that goal is more easily said than done.
#16 Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder: I need to come clean. I don’t like Russ as a person or as a basketball player. But I have to respect the fact that he’s a transcendent ballplayer. He is a triple-double machine: averaging 21.1 points, 11.1 assists, and 11 rebounds. And it’s just a normal thing. I’ll give this to Russ: he’s the ultimate warrior who still has a big goal in front of him–taking down the Golden Gate Warriors.
#17 Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves: After the Butler trade, Towns has played a lot better. But the Wolves are still on the outside looking in concerning the Playoffs. So, with Towns averaging 22.8 ppg and grabbing down 12.2 boards a game, the big question is whether Towns can help the Wolves win consistently? So far, the answer is no.
#18 Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic: Vucevic is in one of the best centers in the game. He gets buckets and grabs boards. The talk was that he’d be traded to the Celtics, but that didn’t happen. No matter, he’ll keep putting up numbers — even if the Magic suck.
#19 Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons: Blake is in a weird place in his career–other Pistons don’t complement him well. The Pistons sit at 24-29, just one game back of the 8-spot in the East. Even though Blake is averaging 26.1 points and 8.1 boards, he’ll have to step up his play for Detroit to make The Dance this year.
#20 Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors: Klay is one of a kind–dribbling only twelve times in one game, to scoring 60 in another. He’s one of the best two-way players in the game today. Klay is putting up All-Star numbers–21.9 points, 4 boards, and 1.8 steals. He is very deserving of All-Star status.
#21 LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs: LA is having another consistent year–per usual. Here are his numbers: 21.3 ppg and 8.9 apg.
#22 D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets: Russell is the replacement for Oladipo. He deserves a spot. He has the Nets sitting in the 6th spot the East at 29-27. Putting up career numbers at 22 (19.8 points and 6.5 assists), Russell is showing the NBA that Magic should never have traded him!
#23 Kris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks: Middleton is always forgotten, even though the world should know who he is–a great two-way player. Middleton and ‘The Freak’ are the reasons why the Bucks are the best team in the East.
#24 Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors: No! Lowry should not be an All-Star. I would have picked Pascal Siakam instead. The numbers make the case: Lowry–14.2 points, 9.2 assists, and two boards a game vs. 15.5 points, 7 boards, and 3 assists. Lowry gets the last slot in my ranking system.
