NBA All-Star voting is now open, and here are my starter picks for 2021:

In one of the most unprecedented seasons in sporting history, the NBA has vowed to continue the 2020/21 campaign despite cases rising around the league and players being ruled out daily through contact tracing.

Eastern Conference:

G: Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets

Being one of the best ball-handlers in the league’s history, it’s no surprise that Irving gets the nod for me. The 28-year-old is averaging the prestigious 50/40/90 percentages (on or above 50% FG, 40% 3PT and 90% FT).

In addition, the New Jersey native is averaging 28 points, five rebounds and six assists per game.

There is an argument that Irving shouldn’t be a lock for the starters seeing that he’s missed 40% of the Nets’ games this season – but with an already small sample size of just 20 games played so far, it’s something I can look past.

The big three alliance of Irving, Kevin Durant and newly acquired James Harden will only further the point-guard’s progression. After missing almost the entirety of the 2019/20 season, it’s clear that the former NBA champion hasn’t lost his touch.

G: Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards

This selection should be a no-brainer for most. After 13 games this campaign, Beal is averaging a superb 35 points per game, alongside five rebounds and assists respectively.

Just recently, the guard scored 47 points in a 124-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans – the epitome of ‘no help’.

Post-game, Beal was asked if he is frustrated in Washington. His reply – “Is the sky blue?”.

The 2012 third overall pick has lost ten consecutive games scoring 40 or more points – the longest streak in NBA history. Despite trade rumours, he confirmed he wants to stay in Washington and fight for his team – amid speculation of a move to Miami or L.A.

His worst game this season so far came in the form of 27 points and ten rebounds on 9/25 shooting. There have been very few occasions in history where a player puts up these numbers with such a poor record (3-11).

F: Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets

The two-time NBA champion and finals MVP has come back with a bang following his ruptured achilles during the 2019 finals for the Golden State Warriors.

KD is the second player in NBA history to average at least 30 points in his first 15 games with a new team, alongside Wilt Chamberlain in 1959/60 with the Warriors.

The forward is undoubtedly having one of the best comeback seasons ever seen in the league’s history – averaging 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game. On top of that, 52% from the field and 44% from outside the arc isn’t bad either.

Durant is shooting better on tightly contested threes (51.4%) than he is on open (41.3%) and wide-open shots (40%). So the story goes – when the lights are brightest, only the real ones shine.

F: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player continues to shine as we all expected. Averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists so far this season, this selection might have been the easiest yet.

Nicknamed the ‘Greek Freak’, Giannis has six career games with 40+ points on 70+ FG%, more than the other Bucks combined (five) in the 3-point era (1979-present).

Recently hitting the milestone of 11,000 career points since his debut in 2013, the power-forward is looking to bring a championship back home to Wisconsin for the first time since 1971.

Being one of, if not the most athletic player in the league, Antetokounmpo’s wingspan and explosive power make it almost impossible to stop him at the rim. Opposition fans are quick to shame the MVP about his underwhelming three-point percentages (30% this year), but seem to have no problem with 4x champion and 3x finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal (who made just one three-pointer in his 19 year career).

C: Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers

Tipped by many as the leading candidate for MVP so far this season, Embiid is averaging career-highs all across the stat sheet this year.

The last centre to win the prestigious award was Shaquille O’Neal almost 21 years ago.

Embiid is the NBA’s fifth leading scorer this season, averaging 28 points per game, 11 rebounds and nine assists. The impressive numbers don’t stop here – the Cameroonian is also averaging 54% from the field and 40% from downtown – incredible for a 7ft big.

Philadelphia are currently top dogs in the Eastern Conference, with a 13-6 record. On top of that, Embiid is cementing himself as one of the most clutch players in the league (score differential of less than five points with five minutes or less to play).

The 2016 third overall pick is 8-0 when games are in the clutch. In these eight wins, his point totals have been: 29, 29, 38, 45, 42, 38, 33, 28.

These victories include three of last season’s four conference finalists. Outstanding.

Western Conference:

G: Steph Curry – Golden State Warriors

Without a doubt the greatest shooter the NBA has ever seen, Curry remains the only unanimous MVP – achieving the feat in 2016 with the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

Steph leads the NBA in fourth quarter points per 36 minutes, averaging 46.3 points per game. Into the bargain, five assists and six rebounds on 53.1% FG and 53.8% 3PT isn’t bad either.

Furthermore, the Akron-born guard leads the league in both total points scored and total threes made. He recently passed Reggie Miller on career threes made, up into second.

Miller made 2,560 3-pointers over 1,389 regular season games during his 18-year NBA career. Curry passed the five-time All-Star in his 715th career game and just his 12th NBA season.

With no signs of Curry slowing down, he’s on course to catch Ray Allen (2,973 career threes) in just 100 more games. Averaging 4.1 3PM per game, it’s likely he’ll take the crown some time next season.

After suffering a broken hand last season which kept him out of action until the beginning of this current campaign, Steph’s averages of 28/5/6 prove he hasn’t lost anything from his game.

G: Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

In just his third season in the league, the Slovenian has already tied Michael Jordan for the eighth-most 30-point triple-doubles in NBA history (16 games).

He’s the only player to achieve the feat before turning 22, and just one player did it once at such a young age – Michael Jordan.

Doncic sits in fourth place for the most triple-doubles in NBA history before turning 25 years of age (31), behind Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Nikola Jokic. He’s only 21.

The point-guard has completely changed the narrative of who is suited to play that position. At 6ft 7 inches tall and more than 230 pounds, many fans doubted his ability to play with good effect.

He isn’t the quickest, strongest, or the most agile but his numbers speak for themselves – averaging 27 points per game, nine rebounds and ten assists.

The 2019 Rookie of the Year leads the NBA in assist percentages – 48.5% (min. 10 minutes per game). I’d stick my life savings on this kid being an MVP one day, and it could potentially happen this season.

F: LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers

At 36-years-old, and in his 18th year, will the 4x MVP ever run out of steam?

Averaging 25 points per game, eight rebounds and seven assists on 50/41/71% splits, LeBron is on pace to become the first player in NBA history to average 25/7/7 in less than 33 minutes per game.

By a player in their 18th NBA season or later, James has recorded 20 consecutive games with at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists – the most in history. The second most comes in the form of Karl Malone, with four such games.

This season LeBron is averaging a career high in both 3P% (41.2%) and 3PA (6.6). It’s hard to believe he is still improving every single year.

Per 36 minutes, he’s averaging career highs in rebounds/defensive rebounds, fifth highest in assists and the second highest scoring average.

Coming off the shortest post-season break ever, and with star teammate Anthony Davis not quite up to scratch this season, James has elevated his game to the next level when his team needs him most.

F: Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers

A sleeper pick in the MVP conversation, Kawhi is averaging 26 points per game alongside five rebounds and six assists with two steals on 50/42/90% splits.

He sits fourth in the NBA’s plus-minus leaders with +152, just behind LeBron James and Utah Jazz pair Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley.

This week, Leonard became the first Clipper to record a 30/8/8 game with zero turnovers in the last 35 seasons.

In his last seven games, in which the Clippers are 7-0, his averages include: 29.1 points per game, six rebounds and six assists on 57/49/97% shooting splits.

After last season’s playoff disaster under Doc Rivers, Kawhi looks more focused than ever in his bid to bring home the Clippers’ first ever NBA championship.

C: Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

According to basketball-reference.com, if the MVP vote was held today, ‘The Joker’ would take home a staggering 41.3% of the vote. As well as leading the NBA’s power rankings, Jokic is averaging 25 points per game, 12 rebounds and nine assists on 56% shooting from the field.

The Serbian has an active streak of 17 double-doubles to start the 2020/21 season, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 19 last season and Bill Walton’s 34 in 1976/77.

No doubt the best passing big in today’s NBA, Jokic has stapled his full-court dimes as one of the most trademark plays ever seen. He was recently awarded the Western Conference’s Player of the Week after averaging 29 points per game, 15 rebounds and seven assists (January 18-24).

Nikola became the fifth player in NBA history to reach 6,000+ points, 3,000+ rebounds and 2,000+ assists through his first 400 games.

In NBA history, players to average at least 22 points, ten rebounds and six assists per game with a true shooting percentage of 57% or higher include: Wilt Chamberlain (1966/67), Oscar Robertson (1962/63), Larry Bird (1984/85), Nikola Jokic (2020/21) and Julius Randle (2020/21).

The big men are well and truly back.

Vote for your 2021 NBA All-Stars here!

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