Heated... Like a Benz Seat.

[Diesel]

Who are your All-Star reserves from the Eastern Conference?

Editor’s Note: The All-Star reserves will officially be announced on Thursday night on TNT (7 ET). 

> Trending Topics: Picking West All-Star reserves

Steve Aschburner

• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Julius Randle, New York Knicks

When I submitted my media ballot to the league, I had Brunson as a starter, so he’s automatic for me here. The others’ cases are self-explanatory cases, either as second-best players on top contenders (Maxey, Brown) or leading men on the next tier of teams (Adebayo, Banchero, Mitchell). The toughest call for me was Randle’s old-school impact vs. Trae Young’s scoring/passing combo game. The Knicks’ team success tipped that in Randle’s favor.

Brian Martin

• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• Julius Randle, New York Knicks
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

When we selected our starters, I debated Brunson or Maxey for my second guard next to Tyrese Haliburton. With Damian Lillard getting the starting nod, I have them as my reserve guards. In the frontcourt, Brown gets the second Celtics spot, especially with Kristaps Porzingis missing double-digit games. Bam Adebayo has the numbers and the versatility on both ends.

Randle will likely be replaced due to his shoulder injury but gets recognized here. Donovan Mitchell was an easy wild card choice; he was there with Brunson and Maxey as must-pick guards. The final spot had several candidates: Trae Young, Derrick White and Scottie Barnes were considered but Banchero got the nod, leading the Magic over .500 nearing the 50-game mark.

Shaun Powell

• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Julius Randle, New York Knicks
• Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Let’s not waste any bytes explaining the no-brainers (Mitchell, Brunson, Maxey, Brown, Adebayo, Randle) and get right to the polarizing pick, which would be Young. I understand why folks are down on him, as though he’s the reason the Hawks are swooning (he isn’t). With regards to Atlanta’s place in the standings, I put more emphasis on team record for the big awards (MVP, Defensive, All-NBA, etc.) than for All-Star. Therefore, a pick-and-roll maestro averaging 27 points and 10 assists gets in. Sorry, Paolo Banchero. Your time is coming.

John Schuhmann

• Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Julius Randle, New York Knicks
• Derrick White, Boston Celtics

The top three candidates — Brunson, Maxey and Mitchell — are all guards. Randle is the only write-it-in-pen candidate in the frontcourt, with Adebayo and Brown making it despite having lesser resumes than they did a year ago. The last spot goes to White, because defense and efficiency matter, and the best team in the league has been at its best with him on the floor. Paolo Banchero just misses the cut, because the Magic’s success is more about defense and great bench play, but with Randle injured, he could get a spot either way.

Michael C. Wright

• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

You could make the argument that both Brunson and Mitchell deserved to be starters. The same could be said for Maxey, a frontrunner for the Kia Most Improved Player award. Those three deserve to be All-Stars, as each player in the trio plays significant roles for top five teams in the Eastern Conference. A two-time All-Star, Brown is the bona fide co-star to Jayson Tatum on the best team in the East. He belongs. Julius Randle, Myles Turner and Kristaps Porzingis each deserved consideration for the last three slots. But entertainment value rules for the NBA All-Star Game. So, Adebayo, Banchero and Young fit the bill in that respect.

[kg01]

Feels like coaches and media have lost sight of what the allstar game is.  Standings are kinda down the list when it comes to 'reasons'.

Let the injury replacements be where guys are rewarded for contributing to winning teams.  No way Derrick White should get picked before Trae although I recognize he's a good contributor. 

[AHF]

36 minutes ago, kg01 said:

No way Derrick White should get picked before Trae although I recognize he's a good contributor. 

Agree.  He is a good third or fourth wheel on a good team.  Star not so much.

[kg01]

12 minutes ago, AHF said:

Agree.  He is a good third or fourth wheel on a good team.  Star not so much.

I hate the rationale being along the lines of, "well smart fans recognize how much he contributes to winning" or whatever.

Well, while true, that's different than him being an allstar.  The asg is an exhibition.  A showcase for the fans.  Ain't nobody tuning in to watch dudes set back screens and hustle for loose balls.  In fact, if he does any of that, everybody else gon look at him like, "who's the try-hard out here tryna get folks hurt".

Don't get me wrong, the asg needs to be more competitive.  But you don't get that by forcing role players onto the team. 

And, to circle back, how much would he contribute to winning if the defense focused on stopping him instead of Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, and probably a couple other dudes before they eventually got to him? 

That's why you don't compare the battleship to the folding chairs sliding around the mess hall.  Them deck chairs out there excellin' at holdin' up arses.  But they wouldn't be jack sh*t without the battleship. There's a difference, AH!  A difference!

... whoa, I blacked out for a second there.  What we talkin about? 

[Diesel]

9 minutes ago, kg01 said:

And, to circle back, how much would he contribute to winning if the defense focused on stopping him instead of Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, and probably a couple other dudes before they eventually got to him? 

Facts...

If I could give you 10 pluses for that!!  Derrick White never has to worry about what Trae has to worry about.   

Trae is 27/10+ and he's the player that every defense comes into Atlanta seeking to stop.   Yeah, he's solid.. but so is DeAndre Hunter. 

I don't know how Dame got in? Really?  Well, I do know.. it was a campaign to get him in...

It's ridiculous now. 

 

[kg01]

11 minutes ago, Diesel said:

Facts...

If I could give you 10 pluses for that!!  Derrick White never has to worry about what Trae has to worry about.   

Trae is 27/10+ and he's the player that every defense comes into Atlanta seeking to stop.   Yeah, he's solid.. but so is DeAndre Hunter. 

I don't know how Dame got in? Really?  Well, I do know.. it was a campaign to get him in...

It's ridiculous now. 

 

I like White but if he got hit with double teams at halfcourt he might stain the parkay on his way to the bench (then the bathroom).

Double teams are just 'Tuesday' for Trae. 

[macdaddy]

Dame went to the all star game last year chucking shots for a 33 win team.  Explain to me how winning matters. 

[Diesel]

1 hour ago, macdaddy said:

Dame went to the all star game last year chucking shots for a 33 win team.  Explain to me how winning matters. 

Lebron has never missed an allstar game and he has been on some losing team. 

Luka is an allstar and he has been on some losers. 

The only time when winning matters is when the voters see Trae Young .. and they need a reason to keep him out of the game.