The All-Star break is approaching, and the All-Stars have been announced. I’m excited because my three favorite players were all selected (Giannis, DeMar DeRozan, and Dejounte Murray).
Last season, I named Bench Mob All-Star teams around this time. The teams were made up of snubs, such as DeRozan.
This season, I’m doing it differently. If you follow my Twitter, you’re aware of my Bench Mob Player of the Day awards. Every day, I highlight an unheralded player who had a big game. When I say unheralded, I don’t mean a guy like Jakob Poeltl or Jarred Vanderbilt who are commonly referred to as such. Bench Mob players are guys that some fans haven’t even heard of. They’re nothing more than role players, but they’re winning contributors every night for their teams. So this year, I’ve selected twelve of those players to make up my All-Star team. Without further ado, here are the 2021-22 Bench Mob All-Stars.
Herb Jones (Captain)
Herb Jones has won a league-leading 5 BM POTD awards, and that’s why he’s the captain of this team. Herb was drafted 35th overall to the Pelicans, and I had never heard of him. His immediate winning impact made me learn his name very quickly. I wrote this article on him early in the season to highlight his All-League level defense. Herb plays hard every night, and so far he’s the Bench Mob Player of the Year.
Gabe Vincent
Gabe Vincent spent his first two seasons in the league on a two-way deal with the Miami Heat. He played 50 games in the 2020-21 season but was an inefficient scorer and not much else. Now playing on a standard contract in his third year, Gabe has broken out into a legit backup point guard. He averages 9 PPG while shooting 39% from deep (5 attempts per game), and he’s become a willing distributor averaging 3 APG. Miami’s cream-of-the-crop player development has resulted in an extremely deep roster that includes 3 Bench Mob All-Stars. Five-time BM POTD Gabe Vincent is at the top of that group.
Gary Payton II
29-year-old Gary Payton II grinded to get his opportunity. After going undrafted in 2016, he had short stints with three teams prior to when he signed with the Warriors last season. A favorite in the organization, Gary has been extremely valuable off the bench for one of the league’s top teams. Just like his dad, he’s an excellent defender at the guard position and one of the best steals guys in the association. His 4.0 STL% would top the league if he had played 1,000 minutes this season. He’s been a BM POTY candidate all season and is undoubtedly a Bench Mob All-Star.
Cody Martin
Cody is a standout role player for this exciting young Hornets roster. He does lots of things well and can slide into any lineup. He’s a good defender, he shoots the three at a 41% clip, and he can pass a little (he averages almost 3 APG, but has dished out 5+ eight times this season). He won his first of four BM POTD’s by taking back-to-back clutch charges against James Harden. Cody is a player every team would love to have.
Keita Bates-Diop
Another success story for Coach Pop and San Antonio’s player development staff, 2018 second-round pick Keita Bates-Diop has blossomed into a solid rotational piece for the young Spurs. He’s a tough-nosed player who defends, hustles, and finishes at the rim. He played the game of his life the day before Christmas, dropping 30 points on a perfect 11-11 shooting in a win over the Lakers. I’ve enjoyed watching Keita play this season and that’s why he’s a Bench Mob All-Star.
Amir Coffey
Especially post-trade-deadline, the Clippers are one of the league’s deepest teams. Breakout third-year forward Amir Coffey is one of the players providing that depth. In his 20 starts this season, he’s put up 13 PPG (49% from the field, 43% from three) while posting enough assists, rebounds, and steals to make him a viable fantasy pickup. He’s on a two-way deal this season, but will definitely earn a full contract this offseason.
Omer Yurtseven
The second Heat player on this team, Yurtseven has impressed with his tenacious rebounding. He had a ridiculous 14 game streak of grabbing 10+ boards, one of the longest runs by a rookie ever. The 23-year-old Summer League standout has become a legit backup big for one of the toughest teams in the league.
Caleb Martin
What a season it’s been for the Martin twins. The two parted ways for the first time in their young NBA careers last offseason, and both of them developed into high-level role players. Although his offensive game is slightly more limited than his brother’s, Caleb has an equal defensive impact for one of the league’s best teams in that category. He’s won just one BM POTD, but he’s had the impact of a Bench Mob All-Star.
Stanley Johnson
As soon as he signed his first 10-day with them, it was obvious that Stanley is the type of player the Lakers needed. He plays with grit and energy (especially on defense) that makes him easy to root for. He’s not the missing piece that will bring another ‘chip to LA, but hopefully the juice he brings will become contagious.
Jaylen Nowell
Despite playing fewer minutes per game this season than he did last, Nowell has proven to Minnesota fans that he has a place in their future. He has obvious talent on the offensive side of the ball and will be a contributor on that end for a long time. Because he plays in a small market, he’s overlooked by the average fan, but he will show out once he gets the minutes he deserves.
Javonte Green
After beginning his career as a lower rotational piece in Boston, Javonte has found a home in Chicago. He’s started 28 games for a playoff contender because he guards the opponent’s best player every night and takes pride in doing so. He also throws down high-flying slams that should land him in the Dunk Contest soon.
Duane Washington Jr.
Rounding out my All-Star team is three-time BM POTD Duane Washington Jr. The undrafted rookie impressed me during Summer League with his scoring ability, and that’s translated to the league. In the month of January, he averaged 11 PPG on 40% from deep. He’s a three-point sniper, and he will always have a spot in the league because of it.
So, those are my 2021-22 Bench Mob All-Stars. If you hadn’t heard of any of those guys, you should watch them play sometime. Every single one of them is a legitimate rotational piece in the NBA. They are the unsung heroes of your favorite teams.
It actually happened. With all the talks surrounding a Harden to Philadelphia deal leading up to today, I’m not too surprised. Doesn’t make the trade less crazy though. This shakes up the league significantly. Here are my immediate thoughts on the blockbuster of the 2022 trade deadline.
Brooklyn Nets
Receive: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, 2022 first-round pick (unprotected), 2027 first-round pick (protected)
While Harden is the best player in the deal, it’s tough to look at this return and not say Brooklyn is now the best team in the East.
Of course, people said the same thing after the big three originally formed. They were the championship favorite heading into the season. Then KD got hurt, Harden got unhappy, and Kyrie gave up on the team by not getting a shot.
This time, I think it’s different. Ben Simmons has become underappreciated as a player since his disappointing performance in the 2021 playoffs. He’s now the best third option in the NBA, and won’t need to score to help the Nets win. He’ll provide more than enough defense for a roster that desperately needs it, and he’s an elite facilitator who’ll take pressure off Kyrie and KD in the playoffs. On top of that, he’s probably the best player Brooklyn could have gotten in return for Harden.
Ben’s lack of shooting doesn’t even matter anymore, because Seth Curry is teaming up with Patty Mills and Joe Harris to form a lethal firing squad.
Andre Drummond is an underrated part of this trade. He’s proven this season that he can be very valuable as a backup big, and Brooklyn needed just that.
So while the Nets just gave up a top-ten player in the league, they’re just as scary after.
Philadelphia 76ers
Receive: James Harden, Paul Millsap
In no way is this trade a negative for Philly. Ben Simmons had to go, and they’re getting a true superstar in return.
The duo of Harden and MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid is ridiculously good on paper. However, many teams have looked good on paper (including the Nets prior to this season) and underperformed majorly.
My main concern is that James Harden isn’t willing to play off-ball. He wants to be the guy or he becomes uninterested. This is a problem because Joel Embiid has become arguably the best player in the league this season. Why? Because with Simmons’s absence, he was the guy with the ball in his hands.
I highly doubt Harden will show up to Philly and play second fiddle to Embiid, and in my humble opinion I don’t think it’s smart to do something that will take away from a player as good as Embiid is.
Other than that, Seth Curry is the ideal player to have next to Harden and Embiid, and losing him is tough. Tobias Harris should star as a third option, I think that’s a perfect role for him.
Overall I don’t see any losers in this trade. Simmons and Harden both needed to go, and both teams got back quality hauls. It’s too bad though because both will lose to the Bucks in the playoffs.
Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? Who do you think is the best team in the East after this trade? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
The Blazers are a mess this season. Injuries have hit them like a freight train. Dame has missed 22 games and could be done for the year. His sidekick, C.J. McCollum, missed 18 contests. Up-and-coming young wing Nassir Little recently went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.
Injuries, as well as questionable roster construction, are the reason Portland is 10 games below .500. Their struggles are making a roster overhaul inevitable.
Amid the chaos, a star has blossomed. That guy is Anfernee Simons, and he is the savior of Portland’s sinking franchise.
If you haven’t paid any attention to the mediocre Blazers, you’ve probably missed the young guard’s rise. During Dame’s absence, Simons has stepped up in a huge way. Across 15 games in January, he scored 23 points per game and dished out 7 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 43% from three.
A player who puts up those numbers across a whole season is an All-Star. Ant is efficient and multi-dimensional. Let’s take dive into Portland’s new franchise player.
Scoring
The standout attribute of Simons’ game is obviously his ability to get buckets. He gets it done in multiple ways and does it extremely effectively.
Overall this season he’s hit right around 40% (39.6%, to be exact) of his deep-range shots while shooting 7 a game. In January, he hit the three-ball at a 43% clip on 10.5 attempts per game.
He’s also knocked down 45% of his mid-range tries and finished 55% of his shots at the rim. This efficiency is very impressive considering only 42% of his baskets are assisted (that number dropped to 36% in January). He’s a high-level shot creator, using his crafty handle to create space for his smooth jumper.
(Jusuf Nurkic deserves a lot of love- he’s one of the best screeners in the NBA and helps out Simons big-time)
He loves stopping and popping- if a defender loses him on a screen, he makes them pay.
Plus, as most small guards do, Ant’s got a nice floater game.
Playmaking
Since Ant is such a good scorer, he gets a lot of defensive attention. So when the defense keys in on him, he takes advantage of it and gets his teammates easy buckets.
His assist percentage was at 11.4% in the 2020-21 season, and it’s jumped to 21.1% this season. Ant’s growth as a floor general makes him a much more reliable offensive centerpiece.
Defense
The hole in Ant’s game is his defense. His defensive RAPTOR has been at the lower-end of the league since his rookie year. He’s at -2.4 this season, which is bottom 20 out of players with 700+ minutes played. However, as proven by top point guards such as Trae Young, you don’t need to be a lockdown (or even a plus) defender to be an elite player.
Over the last month, it’s become very clear that Anfernee Simons is that guy. He has all the tools needed to be an All-Star soon. He’s just 22 years old, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he can be the core piece of a Portland rebuild.
The man holding back a reconstruction is Damian Lillard. He wants to be a Blazer for life, and as long as a player like him is on your team you should always try to contend. Unfortunately, they can never get it done. Every successful regular season is followed by a disappointing post-season in Portland.
With that in mind, is it time to move on from Dame? If he is traded one day, Anfernee Simons will be there to take over the team. He’s a budding superstar.
The NBA recently introduced the new format for the Rising Stars game on All-Star weekend. This new format pits four teams of the league’s brightest young stars against each other in tournament style.
The player pool for those teams is made up of twelve rookies, twelve sophomores, and four prospects from the G-League Ignite squad.
So, today I will be giving you my picks for the Rising Stars game. Let’s get going!
(Note: I will not be naming my picks for the Ignite slots. I don’t know anything about those guys.)
Rookies
Evan Mobley
It’s not very often that a rookie comes into the league as an All-Defense player, but Mobley is on track to do it. He would be the sixth first-year player to do so. Alongside Jarrett Allen, Mobley anchors Cleveland’s top-five defense. He has also shown offensive skill, not just as a lob threat, but in creating for himself in the paint and the mid-range. He’s my pick for Rookie of the Year as of now, so he’s a lock to participate in the All-Star weekend festivities.
Cade Cunningham
The number one overall pick, Cade has lived up to the hype so far. He’s scoring an efficient 18 PPG and dishing out 6 APG over the last two months. He put up 34 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 blocks against the Nuggets, a monstrous stat line only matched by rookie Michael Jordan. MotorCade has given Detroit fans something to believe in, and that’s why he’s an obvious Rising Star.
Scottie Barnes
Another top Rookie of the Year candidate, Scottie Barnes has impressed many with his versatility throughout his rookie campaign. A point guard in a forward’s body, Scottie consistently creates shots for himself and others. He’s another no-brainer pick.
Franz Wagner
Originally projected as a high-end role player/glue guy, Franz has outperformed expectations. He’s showcased All-Star potential in games such as his 38-point explosion against the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks. He leads all rookies in total points and is second in points per game, and that’s why he’s a Rising Star
Josh Giddey
There’s a graphic floating around the internet from before the draft that lists Giddey’s basketball weaknesses. This listing includes ball-handling, outside shooting, shot creation, assertiveness, and on-ball defense. More simply put, the graphic said his weakness is basketball. That is far from true. The youngest player to ever record a triple-double, Giddey is a sensational passer/floor general. He’s won all available Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards so far, and there’s no doubt that he should play in the Rising Stars game.
Jalen Green
It’s no secret that Jalen Green has struggled to reach his lofty rookie expectations up to this point. There’s no reason to overreact though. He has both the talent and the it-factor needed to be a true star in the league one day, he’s just not there yet and that’s quite ok. Jalen will pick things up soon, and in the meantime, he’s still exciting enough to be named a Rising Star.
Herb Jones
“Not on Herb” has become a phrase often used by fans of Herb Jones, and that’s because he’s another rookie with a legitimate shot at making an All-Defense team. If he doesn’t make it this season, it won’t be long before he does. Herb’s a special defender as well as a quality shooter, and he will be a high-level contributor for years to come.
Chris Duarte
Duarte was the hottest rookie in the league during the first few weeks of the season, averaging 18 PPG while shooting 42% from the field and 39% from three. Although he’s cooled down since, he’s still been a consistent offensive contributor for Indiana. Another example of why you shouldn’t overlook prospects just because of their age, Duarte is a Rising Star despite being the oldest of his class.
Jalen Suggs
Suggs was considered by many to be a franchise-changer from the get-go, but the reality is he’s been far from that. Perhaps a victim of overhyping, Suggs came out of the gate as an inefficient scorer and a turnover-prone point guard. He’s cleaned things up lately, averaging 15 PPG on 48% shooting across his last seven games. Just like Jalen Green, there is no reason to give up on Suggs now.
Davion Mitchell
Although Off-Night’s defense hasn’t been as good as Evan Mobley’s or Herb Jones’s, he’s still forcing off-nights. Davion hasn’t been the most NBA-ready prospect like I thought he would, but I still think he’s one of the twelve best rookies so far and that’s why he’s on my list (plus, I want him to be involved in an event I’ll mention later).
Ayo Dosunmu
It’s honestly catastrophic Ayo fell so low in the draft. There’s no reason why a player who was so good in college shouldn’t have been a first-round pick. He’s been an underrated part of Chicago’s success this season, as his incredible efficiency and ability to play three positions make him a valuable member of the rotation. He’s shooting 53% from the field, which paces rookies with 150+ field goal attempts. He also has the highest 3P% (43%) among rookies with 50+ deep-range attempts. The Bulls got the steal of the draft in Rising Star Ayo Dosunmu.
Jonathan Kuminga (Fan Vote)
That’s right. Kuminga was voted by fans of the Bench Mob Blog to receive the final rookie slot, beating out post-up maestro Alperen Sengun. 19-year-old Kuminga was drafted as a project player, which is reflected by the ups and downs of his rookie campaign so far. He’s broken into a bigger role in January, averaging 10 PPG while shooting 49% from the field and an unexpected 41% from deep. (If you would rather see Sengun on this list, you should follow me on Twitter @thebenchmobblog so you can participate in future polls).
Sophomores
Anthony Edwards
Ant has a case to be the most entertaining player in the league. His off-court antics are just an added bonus to his flashy and exciting on-court play. If he isn’t driving by you for a powerful poster, he’s stepping back to shoot a three that’s likely going in. The most impressive part of his 2021-22 performance has been his efficiency. He shoots 9 threes a game (and they aren’t easy ones), and he hits 37% of them. He very well could be a participant in the Rising Stars game, the dunk contest, and the All-Star game. Like Ant said in his famous interview, he can do whatever you need him to.
LaMelo Ball
Another sophomore with a legit chance of being an All-Star as well as a Rising Star, LaMelo has built off his Rookie of the Year campaign and blossomed into the best player on a playoff level team. He makes teammates better with his elite floor vision, and he scores the ball at a high level too. As one of the league’s flashiest young talents, LaMelo is indubitably going to be a participant in the Rising Stars competition.
Tyrese Haliburton
A 21-year-old with the efficiency and IQ of an experienced veteran, Tyrese has broken out in a big way this season. His numbers aren’t much different from last year, but they don’t tell the whole story. His play this season has people questioning if Sacramento should move on from De’Aaron Fox, who placed 34th in my top 100 players of the 2021 season list. Tyrese is one of my favorite young guys in the league right now.
Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony puts the star in Rising Star. He’s got a swagger and a smoothness to his game that make him a bright spot when watching the overall mediocre Magic. Although his efficiency is down from early in the year, the way Cole plays makes me a firm believer that he will make at least one All-Star game in his career.
Desmond Bane
A top candidate for Most Improved Player, the man I wanted the Bucks to draft has been ballin’ this season. His very efficient and consistent scoring is a big reason why the Grizzlies are a top team in the West. You could make the argument that he’s the second-best player on the team. That’s definitely Rising Star worthy.
Tyrese Maxey
With Ben Simmons sitting out, Tyrese Maxey has taken the opportunity and ran away with it. He’s improved in just about every major statistical category, averaging 16.5 PPG and 5 APG while shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three. He’s another obvious choice.
Saddiq Bey
Along with the six players listed above him, Saddiq Bey is a guy who I think will make an All-Star game one day. That is a reflection of how deep the 2020 draft class is. After a slow November, Saddiq’s numbers have crawled out of the gutter. He’s averaging 17 PPG and shooting 37% from three (8.5 attempts per game) in January, showing he can be a top option in your offense.
Devin Vassell
He doesn’t get the same opportunity as the other sophomores I’ve named so far, but Devin Vassell has a shot at being just as good as they will be one day. Originally a 3&D prospect, he’s shown shot-creation ability this season that will help him become an All-Star in the future. For now, he’s a Rising Star.
Jae’Sean Tate
After going undrafted in 2018, Jae’Sean Tate finally got a shot in the NBA last season with the Rockets. It’s a good thing Houston took a chance on him because he’s become a top-100 level player. He’s a fearless finisher at the rim, an energized rebounder, a gritty defender, and has even shown some playmaking ability. So despite being 26, Jae’Sean’s versatility earns him a spot in the Rising Star festivities.
Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin is an important part of New York’s rotation for one reason: hustle. Obi has a ridiculous motor matched by very few players. He’s raw on offense, so overall his game isn’t sexy, but he’s also a past dunk-contest participant. His high-flying slams need to be showcased as much as possible, so he needs to play in the Rising Stars game.
Isaac Okoro
Okoro, who was picked fifth overall in the 2020 draft, disappointed many with his play during his rookie season. I was included in that group of skeptics, but this season I have seen the light. Although the shooting isn’t always there, Okoro plays tenacious perimeter defense on the league’s best players. He’s also good for a thrilling dunk here and there, so I think he deserves to be in the Rising Stars game.
Immanuel Quickley (Fan Vote)
Just like Jonathan Kuminga before him, Quickley makes this list by the decision of BMB fans. He narrowly edged out Onyeka Okongwu (who was my personal choice, but I figured it would be fun to let you readers be involved). Quickley is a bucket-getter off the bench who can heat up in a second.
Before we wrap this up, I have a few more picks to make. At some point during the Rising Stars challenge, the participants will be challenged to recreate iconic playoff moments. So just for fun, I’ve selected a few of those moments and who I’d like to see recreate them.
Ray Allen’s Game-Tier (2013)
Lebron- Scottie Barnes
Chris Bosh- Evan Mobley
Ray Allen- Desmond Bane
I can hear it now: Barnes catches, puts up a three… won’t go, rebound Mobley! Back out to Bane, his three-pointer… BANG!
I’m casting Barnes as LeBron because they’re both guards in a forward’s body, Mobley as Bosh because Bosh was his common pre-draft comparison, and Bane as Allen because both are knockdown shooters.
The Valley-Oop (2021)
Jrue Holiday- Davion Mitchell
Giannis- Obi Toppin
Picking Toppin to be Giannis feels weird, but it makes sense to have the former dunk-contest participant catching a lob. Davion gets to be Jrue because both are known for their lockdown guard defense.
Damian Lillard’s “Bad Shot” (2019)
Dame- Cole Anthony
While Cole doesn’t have Dame’s limitless range, they do share the clutch gene. I think it would be fun for Cole to recreate Dame’s half-court game-winner from the 2019 playoffs. Maybe they could bring out Paul George to guard it.
The Block (2016)
LeBron- Herb Jones
Because he’s an outstanding defender, I want to see my favorite rookie pull off LeBron’s iconic chase-down block.
The Shot (1989)
Michael Jordan- Anthony Edwards
Something about this just makes sense. I feel like Ant would compare himself to MJ, so this seems like a great fit.
So, those are all of my Rising Star picks! Do you agree or disagree? What iconic playoff moments do you want to see recreated? Let me know! Thanks for reading (and waiting two weeks for a new article), and see you next time!
If you didn’t see the trade yet, here’s what went down:
New York Knicks get: Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, 2025 second-round pick (via Brooklyn)
Atlanta Hawks get: Kevin Knox, 2022 protected first-round pick (via Charlotte)
Cam Reddish is a very talented player. He’s a natural scorer with a high ceiling, and at just 22 years old he has lots of time to reach it. Getting a player like Reddish by only giving up a protected first and a third-string player is crazy. What a trade for New York.
This deal had me thinking about what the near future will look like for the Knicks. After their cinderella 2020-21 campaign, it seemed that they would be a perennial playoff roster behind the duo of Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett. However, the 2021-22 season has been a massive disappointment for the team. Randle has regressed to his pre-All-Star self, Barrett has been inconsistent, and offseason acquisitions such as Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker have not pushed the team over the edge.
So, what’s next for the Knicks? Should they continue their playoff push, or should they retool around their young talent?
It’s tough to say when we’re not even halfway through the season. The Knicks have the players they need to turn things around and make the postseason (especially when Derrick Rose returns, who has arguably been their best player).
On the other hand, if they keep struggling, I think this should be an active trade deadline for New York. The young core of R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, Immanuel Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, and Obi Toppin is really solid and flipping veteran players could bolster it further and set the Knicks up for the next 5+ years.
I think a Kemba Walker trade should happen in either situation. He’s still a starting-caliber point guard, and since his contract is just $8 million I could see a borderline playoff team willing to give up a young player to get him (New Orleans perhaps? Jaxson Hayes or Kira Lewis would be solid returns for Kemba).
Overall, I’m interested to see how this season plays out for the Knicks. Whether they make playoffs or not, it will at least be exciting to see R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish reunited and hooping together.
What do you think the Knicks should do next? Should they try to compete, or should they go young? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
It’s June 21st, 2018, and the Orlando Magic are on the clock with the 41st pick in the NBA draft. They select forward Jarred Vanderbilt out of Kentucky and immediately trade him to the Denver Nuggets.
In his first two seasons in the league, Vanderbilt played just 115 total minutes across 28 games. With a raw skillset and a lack of a jump shot, it seemed that he would be out of the league once his rookie deal expired.
That’s not what happened.
Over the last two seasons, Vanderbilt has been one of the most valuable parts of Minnesota’s return to competitiveness. Despite averaging just 6.6 points per contest, Jarred’s impact shows up beyond the stat sheet. He plays with a relentless tenacity that no other player in the league can match.
Diving into Jarred Vanderbilt’s unique game, a perfect place to start is his monstrous January 9th performance against the Houston Rockets. He posted a career-high 21 points and 19 rebounds (adding 2 steals and 2 blocks) in front of his hometown fans.
Of his 19 rebounds, 6 were offensive. That’s the sixth time he’s grabbed 6+ this season (he snagged an insane 8 offensive boards against the Lakers on December 17th). At just 6’9″, Jarred out-rebounds most centers in the league (his 113 o-boards places him 9th in the league in that category).
That’s UNREAL energy. Coaches always talk about “wanting it more”, and Vando is the definition of that. He corrals misses like his life depends on it.
Let’s move on to the defensive end, where Jarred excels. He’s a good, versatile defender, and he’s a major reason why Minnesota’s defense has improved this season.
He picks up a lot of stocks with his 7-foot wingpsan. He averages 1.5 SPG and 0.8 BPG on the season, and his 2.9 steal percentage is tied for fourth in the league (the other players with a 2.9 STL% are Jimmy Butler, Dejounte Murray, and Marcus Smart. That’s elite defensive company).
He has excellent anticipation in passing lanes.
Take a look at this sweet chase-down block:
Jarred held LeBron to 33% shooting (2 for 6) in that game. That’s what he does. He spend a lot of time guarding the other teams best player, and he does so effectively.
Guarding Kevin Durant is no easy task, but Vando can do it. He plays him super well on this possession:
In case you were curious, the advanced stats recognize his defense. His +3.1 defensive RAPTOR is top 20 in the league.
Overall, Vanderbilt is master of the dirty work. He makes a winning impact with his hustle every night, and he is just as important to Minnesota as any other player on their roster (he is second on the team in total win shares).
Unfortunately, Vando flies under the radar in a league dominated by flashy guard play. Part of that is because of the way he plays, and part of it is because the Timberwolves are overlooked as a whole.
Jarred Vanderbilt needs to be appreciated. The energy he brings is a breath of fresh air in today’s NBA.
With 2021 complete, the Bench Mob Blog has existed for an entire year. That’s crazy. To celebrate that, I’ve gone through all of my past articles and put together a list of my worst takes ever.
I was originally going to include some of my best takes too, but those aren’t as fun. I’d rather make fun of myself for stupid things I said.
These takes are ordered from most plausible to “what the heck were you thinking?”
(None are plausible at all though.)
Let’s get going!
#10: Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie will hold back Anthony Edwards
I’ll start off with a take from my second oldest article, which is my 2021 award predictions. When writing about Anthony Edwards, I said that Minnesota’s logjam on the wing would prevent him from putting up Rookie of the Year numbers. The logjam in question? Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie.
Ant went on to average 19 points per game and finish second in the ROTY race. Jarrett Culver played just 9 minutes per game across 12 contests.
Whoops. Shoutout Ant.
#9: Picking Cleveland to be the 14th seed
The Cavaliers have surprised everyone. If someone were to say they thought Cleveland was a legit playoff team prior to this season, they likely would have been clowned. Now, I’m the guy who looks like a clown.
I predicted the Cavs would finish 14th in the Eastern Conference and 26th in the league, having a worse record than teams like Detroit and Sacramento. I was really wrong, but I’m glad about it because I’ve had a lot of fun watching them play this season. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are legit All-Star candidates, Evan Mobley is the Rookie of the Year, Kevin Love is reviving his career, and Tacko Fall is on the team. Shoutout Cleveland.
#8: Andre Drummond is a top 60 player
When predicting my top 100 players for the 2020-21 season, I had Drummond at 60th. I put too much stock in his impressive statistics. While Drummond isn’t a bad NBA player by any stretch (he’s been pretty solid off the bench for Philadelphia), his performance during that season amplified the “stats aren’t everything” argument. He’s lazy a lot of the time, and he doesn’t contribute to winning basketball enough to be a starting center in the league. Shoutout Drummond, though, because I think he gets a lot of undeserved hate (especially from Pistons fans).
#7: Doubting Zion’s ability to make the All-Star game
I wasn’t doubting his ability to be an All-Star during his overall career, just last season. Due to injuries and team success, I didn’t think he could make the 2021 All-Star game. I was obviously wrong, as he was selected to be an All-Star while averaging 27 points per game on excellent efficiency.
#6: Jakob Poetl does nothing
That’s a direct quote from my article “I Just Wanted to Talk About the Spurs”, which consisted of me showing love to the Spurs and their players. Not Jakob, though. I flat-out disrespected him. While his offensive skill is underwhelming, he’s a top-tier interior defender that makes a winning impact for San Antonio every night. I’ve grown to like him, and I can’t believe I made such a ridiculous claim about him. Shoutout Jakob.
#5: Leaving the Grizzlies out of the 2022 playoffs
I did this in both my 2021 and 2022 preseason power rankings. It was a dumb take in both instances, but it was incredibly bad this time. The Grizzlies are the fourth seed in the West so far, and their ability to win even without Ja Morant is an extra spit in the face for this terrible take. Shoutout Memphis.
#4: Devin Booker can’t be the best player on a good team
The popular take is that Chris Paul was the best player on Phoenix’s 2021 Finals roster. That’s true, but this season Devin Booker is the alpha dog in the Valley. I think I watch Book be such an elite second option that I forgot he could be a number one. This take was very ignorant. Shoutout D-Book.
#3: Being a casual when talking about Draymond Green
When predicting my top 100 players of the 2021 season, I placed Draymond Green at 88th. He was coming off a 2019-20 season where he was not his usual self, and because I disliked him at the time I criminally underrated him. Just read this quote from that article:
“So, his numbers will probably look better than they did last year, especially his playmaking numbers (apparently good passers need good players to pass to. I personally think that’s false, because freaking Christiano Felicio could average 7 assists if he was passing to prime Klay Thompson).”
That’s all you need to read. I was acting like one of the casual fans I dislike so much. Shoutout Draymond Green. You’re an All-Star this season.
#2: Picking the Jazz to be the 8th seed
This is from my 2020-21 preseason power rankings. My reasoning for picking the Jazz to finish in the play-in tournament is that their roster didn’t improve from the season prior. I had them lower in the power rankings than teams like Toronto, Dallas, Boston, and Portland.
Although they haven’t gone far in the playoffs, Utah has been one of the best regular-season teams in the league since this take. Shoutout Utah, I underestimated you guys way too much.
And now, the moment you all have been waiting for, my worst take of all time.
#1: Not putting Jokic in my top five picks for 2022 MVP
Nikola Jokic had just won the MVP, and I decided Anthony Davis has a better shot at winning the award than him. That’s a catastrophically bad take. The Joker has a legitimate argument for being the best player in the world, and he is arguably the favorite to win Most Valuable Player once again. Shoutout Jokic.
So, those are my worst takes ever! Hope you had as much fun laughing at me as I did laughing at myself (so laughing with me, I guess). Thanks for reading, and see y’all next time!
The Western Conference guard pool is ridiculously deep. Almost every team has a star guard. Because of this, there are going to be some significant snubs this season.
Stephen Curry. Damian Lillard. Luka Doncic. Devin Booker. Chris Paul. Donovan Mitchell. Those guys are established superstars who are virtual locks to make the All-Star game every season. Only a max of six backcourt players can be selected from each conference, meaning young guys such as Ja Morant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dejounte Murray are going to have a hard time earning the nod for the first time.
But if those players are superstars, shouldn’t they all earn All-Star honors? Most of them, yes. There’s no world where at least four of those guys don’t make it, and it’s likely all of them will.
However, this article features one of the hottest takes I’ve ever had. Are you ready?
Chris Paul shouldn’t be an All-Star this season.
That probably sounds crazy. If you didn’t close this article after reading that, thank you.
After all, isn’t Chris one of the league’s most valuable players? Over the last few seasons, the narrative that he has the biggest winning impact in the NBA has become very widespread. He is a truly great leader, but I think his impact has become exaggerated. Calling him a top-five MVP candidate this season is preposterous. Heck, I think it’s safe to say that he isn’t even the best player on his team anymore.
So, what is Chis Paul at this point in his career? At age 36, he is still a top point guard in the league. He’s the best floor general, and the only player who’s a better scorer from the mid-range than him is KD. His three-point shooting and free-throw shooting are down this season, but he doesn’t need to score the help a team win.
So why isn’t he an All-Star?
I may just be extremely biased, but I think Dejounte Murray or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should have his spot. If you throw away team success (which should barely matter during All-Star selection in my opinion), both Dejounte and Shai have a better All-Star case than CP3.
Dejounte Murray, who plays for a San Antonio team that gets zero media attention, has quietly become one of the top two-way guards in the entire league. He’s developed into an elite defender (he plays better D than arguably every other All-Star guard in the league), a top-notch floor general, and a clutch performer. Just look at his stat line:
17.8 PPG/8.4 RPG/8.8 APG/2.0 SPG/44% FG/34% 3PT/70% FT
DJ has a league-leading 6 triple-doubles at this point in the season. He’s an out-of-this-world talent.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as Thunder fans say, is him. He’s been on a ridiculous tear lately. Just look at his last five games:
18 PTS/3 REB/6 AST and the game-winner vs LAC (win)
23 PTS/5 REB/4 AST/3 STL and more clutch play vs MEM (win)
27 PTS/11 REB/12 AST vs DEN (win)
29 PTS/5 REB/7 AST vs PHO (loss)
31 PTS/4 REB/5 AST/3 BLK vs NOP (win)
His performance across those games earned him Player of the Week honors, something very few Thunder players have accomplished.
In the end, Dejounte and Shai have been awesome this season, and it would be heartbreaking if they missed out on their first All-Star game this season. (I honestly feel like the league should expand the All-Star rosters, but that’s a different conversation.) So I’m not hating on Chris Paul at all. Everybody knows how good he is, and if he ends up being selected he will deserve it. I simply feel that Dejounte Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserve it more.
(I’ll end this article with a question that probably doesn’t need to be asked, but might get some more buzz about this article: What does Chris Paul provide for a team that Dejounte Murray doesn’t?)
I’ve said this before, and it’s true. I don’t pay much attention to college basketball except for during March Madness (I predicted Baylor winning it all, by the way), so therefore I don’t have a ton of knowledge on incoming NBA rookies heading into the draft.
Now that we’re around thirty games into the NBA season and I’ve seen these guys play, I have formed legitimate opinions on them (rather than opinions mostly based on outside sources). Because of this, I figured I should revisit my draft grades and make some updates. Let’s get into it!
Atlanta Hawks
Draftees: Jalen Johnson (20th), Sharife Cooper (48th)
Jalen Johnson is more of a project than other first-round picks, and I didn’t think the Hawks should have selected a player like that. I was right. The Hawks are one of the deeper teams in the league, and their collection of talented guys has kept Jalen from getting the minutes he needs to grow as a player. He’s shown flashes of what he can become in Summer League and the G-League, but he won’t be able to reach his full potential as long as he doesn’t touch the court.
Sharife Cooper has played just 11 minutes across 5 games so far this season. Overall, Atlanta’s draft grade will take a hit. Not because they didn’t select good players, but because the good players they selected are rotting away on the bench.
Original Grade: B-
New Grade: C+
Boston Celtics
Draftee: Juhann Begarin (45th)
Considering he was the 45th pick, I thought Begarin had some solid upside (especially as a defender). However, he did not come over to the NBA, so the Celtics have no rookies.
Original Grade: B
New Grade: N/A
Brooklyn Nets
Draftees: Cam Thomas (27th), Day’Ron Sharpe (29th), Kessler Edwards (44th)
I still believe Cam Thomas at 27th was a steal. Although his overall efficiency hasn’t been ideal so far, he’s averaging 9.8 PPG on 45% shooting across his last 10 games (including an 18 point, 7/15 shooting performance against Houston). The scoring upside Cam has is through the roof and it’s wild that he ended up with Brooklyn.
Day’Ron Sharpe has received very little opportunity, but his per 36 averages of 21 PPG (53% FG), 17 RPG, 2 SPG, and 2 BPG suggest he can be a productive backup (or more) in the future.
Kessler Edwards has had multiple solid performances for the undermanned Nets, and it looks like he can be a rotational piece for a good team one day.
Original Grade: B+
New Grade: A-
Charlotte Hornets
Draftees: James Bouknight (11th), Kai Jones (19th), JT Thor (37th), Scottie Lewis (56th)
James Bouknight has shown the same upside I thought he would. It took him a while to enter Charlotte’s rotation, but he has now and he’s playing well. His highlight game so far was a 24 point, 6 three performance in a win against Sacramento. Although his uptick in minutes likely has to do with Charlotte’s health-and-safety outbreak sidelining rotational players, I expect that Bouknight will continue to get meaningful minutes once everybody returns.
Kai Jones has struggled to see the court for a team that lacks talent at the center position. Not sure why that is.
JT Thor has seen the court a little, and he is very raw. So far he hasn’t been one of the best second-round picks like I thought he would.
Original Grade: A
New Grade: B+
Chicago Bulls
Draftee: Ayo Dosunmu (38th)
“Maybe this is me being a draft casual, but I was surprised Ayo didn’t go in the first round. He was a top player in college, and nothing I saw suggested he couldn’t be good in the NBA.”
That’s what I said in my original draft grades article about Ayo Dosunmu. I was totally right. He’s been an efficient driver and shooter, as he’s shooting 50% from the field and 41% from three. He’s having an impact off the bench for a playoff team, and he was an excellent selection in the second round.
Original Grade: B+
New Grade: A
Cleveland Cavaliers
Draftee: Evan Mobley (3rd)
Evan Mobley is a generational talent. I don’t know the last time a rookie has had this big of an impact on defense. If he keeps up this level of rim protection, he’ll make at least five All-Defense teams in his career. As good as a few others have been, Mobley is my pick for Rookie of the Year and it isn’t close.
Original Grade: A
New Grade: A+
Denver Nuggets
Draftee: Bones Hyland (26th)
Although he’s been inconsistent (which isn’t unusual for a rookie), Bones has shown off his scoring ability and has been a valuable bench piece for Denver. He’s been about as good as I thought he would be.
Original Grade/New Grade: B+
Detroit Pistons
Draftees: Cade Cunningham (1st), Isaiah Livers (42nd), Luka Garza (52nd)
An early injury caused a slow start for Cade, but since then he’s been everything Detroit fans could hope for. He affects the game in so many different ways, and that’s why he was picked first overall. Cade is the future of the Detroit Pistons.
Luka Garza had a quality summer league which earned him a full NBA contract, and he’s played some productive minutes off the bench for the Pistons.
Original Grade: A half a plus
New Grade: A+
Golden State Warriors
Draftees: Jonathan Kuminga (7th), Moses Moody (14th)
Kuminga’s athleticism stands out, but his lack of shooting has kept him from earning consistent minutes on a deep Warriors roster. I was worried about his playing time after he got drafted to Golden State, and if he doesn’t get the minutes he needs this season then we may never see the top-five talent he possesses. (Or maybe I’m overreacting. He’s only 19.)
The more NBA-ready young Warrior, Moses Moody, has struggled to be productive at all in the few minutes he has earned so far. He hasn’t made the instant impact I thought he would.
Original Grade: A
New Grade: B
Houston Rockets
Draftees: Jalen Green (2nd), Alperen Sengun (16th), Usman Garuba (23rd), Josh Christopher (24th)
Among the 250 total players that qualify, Jalen Green is the worst player in the NBA according to FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR stat. While he has had some good scoring games and some flashy dunks, he’s had little to no impact on winning. While it may just be a coincidence that Houston’s winning streak came during his injury, that doesn’t change the fact that Jalen’s play so far as a rookie has been incredibly inefficient. He can still be a star one day, but he needs to step it up.
Alperen Sengun has been solid. He’s rebounding, scoring efficiently, and passing the ball well. Josh Christopher has provided some nice scoring off the bench, shooting a very efficient 49% from the field and 46% from three.
The Rockets would love to have Evan Mobley right now.
Original Grade: A-
New Grade: B+
Indiana Pacers
Draftees: Chris Duarte (13th), Isaiah Jackson (22nd)
After a very hot start to the season, Duarte has cooled down a little. He’s made a big impression, though, because the Pacers are now looking to trade Caris LeVert to open up more playing time for him. He’s a rookie scoring with the confidence of a star, and that’s how you know he will have a long NBA career.
Isaiah Jackson has rarely touched the court so far, but when one of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis gets traded he’ll get the chance to show what he can do.
Original Grade: B+
New Grade: A-
Los Angeles Clippers
Draftees: Keon Johnson (21st), Jason Preston (33rd), Brandon Boston Jr. (51st)
Keon Johnson has played just 23 minutes so far, and Jason Preston hasn’t played at all due to an injury. I think they’ll be able to contribute in the NBA, but it’s hard to tell how much when they haven’t played.
Brandon Boston’s college inconsistency has carried over to the NBA, but when he’s been hot he’s looked like the steal of the draft. He’s shooting with confidence, and that’s led to performances like his 27 point, 5 3PM game against the Celtics. It looks like Boston will be able to contribute in the league for seasons to come.
I’m giving the Clippers a higher grade because Johnson and Preston have done nothing to lower the grade, while Boston is outperforming expectations and raising the grade.
Original Grade: B
New Grade: B+
Los Angeles Lakers
Rookie: Austin Reaves (Undrafted)
The Lakers didn’t have any draft picks, but Austin Reaves has been an excellent pickup. He knows his role and plays it to a tee. He hits his shots and plays defense. He even hit a game-winner in overtime on national TV. Props to Rob Pelinka for signing Reaves after the draft.
Grade: A-
Memphis Grizzlies
Draftees: Ziaire Williams (10th), Santi Aldama (30th)
Ziaire Williams has been somewhat of a non-factor so far. He barely contributes in every statistical category. His 56% on two-pointers is solid, but he takes so many threes (and misses so many. 25% from deep so far) that his overall field goal percentage is straight-up bad (35%). He’s got a lot of time to grow, but so far he hasn’t looked like a top-ten pick.
Santi Aldama has had a few solid games, including an 18 point, 10 rebound performance that won him a Bench Mob Player of the Day.
My boy Mamu has been pretty solid so far. He’s contributed off the bench in multiple games, including an 8 point, 10 rebound performance against Toronto and a 12 point, 2 3PM performance in his second NBA game. I still love his skill set, and he’s going to be a valuable backup big (at the minimum) for a long time.
Kalaitzakis is very raw, and after Milwaukee waived him it seems like he could be out of the league for good. He’ll probably dominate overseas though.
Original Grade/New Grade: B+
New York Knicks
Draftees: Quentin Grimes (25th), Miles McBride (36th), Jericho Sims (58th)
Quentin Grimes is definitely a first-round talent. He hasn’t gotten a ton of minutes this season, but when he’s played, he’s balled up. He’s shooting an insane 47% from deep, which would be second in the league if he qualified. He even hit a Knick-rookie record 7 triples against my Bucks.
Miles McBride is a baller, and his 15 point, 9 assist, 4 steal performance against Houston proves that. I wish he was on a team where he could get more minutes (I also wish he was on the Bucks).
Original Grade: B+
New Grade: A-
New Orleans Pelicans
Draftees: Trey Murphy III (17th), Herb Jones (35th)
Trey Murphy has shot the ball decently well so far (37% from deep on 3 attempts per game), but he’s been inconsistent. Once he finds his rhythm, we’ll see the high-level 3&D player he’s supposed to be.
Herb Jones, my favorite Pelican and one of my favorite rookies, has been the biggest surprise of this draft (in my opinion, of course). I knew very little about him prior to this season, but he’s come out of the gates as one of the league’s most impactful defenders (his defensive RAPTOR of +2.6 is 26th in the league out of 250 qualifying players). If you haven’t yet, check out this article I wrote about him earlier in the season. The steal of the draft warrants a raised grade.
Original Grade: B+
New Grade: A
Oklahoma City Thunder
Draftees: Josh Giddey (6th), Tre Mann (18th), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (32nd), Aaron Wiggins (55th)
Scoring isn’t Josh Giddey’s strong suit, but he affects the game in many other ways. He’s got a knack for throwing dimes, and he rebounds well too. He’s a clear All-Rookie guy, and I can tell why the Thunder picked him so high.
Tre Mann has displayed his high-level shot-creating ability. JRE has started in 19 games and has provided value as a stretch four and a rebounder. He’s got an All-Rookie case. 55th overall pick Aaron Wiggins has played some solid rotational minutes, which can’t be said for many guys picked that late.
Original Grade: A-
New Grade: A
Orlando Magic
Draftees: Jalen Suggs (5th), Franz Wagner (8th)
In many people’s opinion (not mine), Jalen Suggs was supposed to be a franchise-altering point guard from the get-go. He hasn’t been. His shooting percentages are simply terrible (34% from the field on 12 attempts per game). I’m not going to overreact over his first 21 games though. He can definitely still become a good starting point guard one day.
Franz Wagner, however, has been awesome. He was projected to be a high-end role player/glue guy. Although that’s technically what he is right now, his production suggests he’ll be much more when he hits his prime. He’s averaging 14 points per game, shooting the ball well (36% from three) and throwing down some vicious dunks. Stupendous pick from Orlando’s front office.
Original Grade: A-
New Grade: A
Philadelphia 76ers
Draftees: Jaden Springer (28th), Charles Bassey (53rd)
Jaden Springer has played a whopping 2 minutes this season. I’m not sure why, because without Ben Simmons playing the 76ers don’t have a true point guard (Maxey is a two in a one’s body). Jaden isn’t necessarily one either, but I think he deserves a chance to play some more.
Charles Bassey has been solid, averaging 4 points (67% shooting), 3 rebounds, and a block in just 9 minutes per game.
Original Grade: B
New Grade: C+
Portland Trail Blazers
Draftee: Greg Brown III (43rd)
In the limited playing time he’s gotten this season (4.6 MPG across 11 games), Greg has showcased the ridiculous athleticism that gives him so much upside. He’s definitely raw, and it will be a few seasons before we get to fully evaluate him.
Davion “Off-Night” Mitchell’s lockdown defense has translated to the league, but he’s also had a lot of off-nights on offense. His inconsistencies show that he isn’t as NBA ready as we thought, which will result in Sacramento’s grade dropping.
When he got his first NBA action the other night, Neemias Queta swatted two shots in his very first defensive possession. That’s what he does best.
Original Grade: C+
New Grade: C
San Antonio Spurs
Draftees: Josh Primo (12th), Joe Wieskamp (41st)
He’s spent a lot of time in the G-League this season, but Josh Primo has played well when he’s been with the Spurs. He’s made 54% of his total field goals and half of his threes, and he had an insane 3 steal and 4 block performance that only Dwight Howard accomplished at 18 years old. I think Josh is going to be really solid one day.
Original Grade/New Grade: B
Toronto Raptors
Draftees: Scottie Barnes (4th), Dalano Banton (46th), David Johnson (47th)
Scottie Barnes was one of the most controversial picks on draft night. People were clowning the Raptors for selecting him over Jalen Suggs. All that hate is gone now, because Scottie is a stud. Through his first 27 games, he’s made a legit ROTY case, averaging 16 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 APG, 1 SPG, and 1 BPG while shooting 49% from the field. He’s also shooting 36% from deep, which is really solid for a guy who was not a good shooter in college. Scottie Barnes is clearly one of the best rookies in this class.
Dalano Banton is pretty raw, but he’s a 6’9” player with some guard skills who has played some solid rotational minutes for Toronto this season.
Original Grade: B+
New Grade: A
Utah Jazz
Draftee: Jared Butler (40th)
Despite being one of the more NBA-ready rookies (in my opinion), Jared Butler has been limited to 4.3 minutes per game across 17 games. I guess Utah’s coaching staff doesn’t think he’s as good as I think he is.
A three-point shot is one of the most translatable skills from college to the league, but Kispert has been a massive disappointment from deep. He’s shooting a measly 26% from long-range, which is way down from the 44% he shot in his senior year at Gonzaga.
Isaiah Todd has played well in the G-League, but he’s another guy who’s received very little NBA tick so far.
Original Grade: B
New Grade: C+
So, those are my updated grades for the 2021 NBA draft! Do you agree? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
We’re about a fourth of the way through the 2021-22 NBA season. Every team has played a little over 20 games. So, just like I did last season, I’m making my All-Star picks if the game were to happen today. These are subject to change before the real All-Star selection.
Each conference has four backcourt players, six frontcourt players, and two wildcards. I will also include two injury replacements for each conference (basically honorable mentions).
Let’s get going!
Eastern Conference Starters
G: Trae Young
Coming off his impressive 2021 playoff run, Trae is having the best regular season of his career. He’s putting up 26 PPG, 9 APG, and shooting a career-high 39% from three so far. Although the Hawks are third in their division and eighth in the East, team success is a very small factor in All-Star selection and Trae deserves to be a starter.
G: James Harden
Despite having his worst season since his OKC days, James Harden has still earned a starting spot in the All-Star game. Although his 21 PPG pales in comparison to the 36 PPG he put up in a season for Houston, Harden is still a high-level scorer. He’s taken more of a facilitating role this year, and is top five in assists per game and total assists. So while he’s been a little streaky, the Beard is my pick to be an All-Star starter.
F: Jimmy Butler
Although the Heat’s record has evened out a little since their hot start, Jimmy Butler has not. With Kawhi Leonard out, Jimmy has been the second-best small forward in the league. He’s shooting a career-high 52% from the field while shooting an abysmal 20% from three. He’s an elite defender. His assist numbers are down from prior seasons, but he’s still a quality floor general. Jimmy does so much on the court to help his team win that I had to give him the starter nod.
F: Kevin Durant
I don’t have to explain this pick much. KD is an MVP favorite, the league’s leading scorer, and arguably the most unstoppable player in the league (Steph and Giannis have cases as well).
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Captain)
Giannis is entering his prime years, and it’s very obvious. Nobody can stop him from getting to the paint. He’s added a consistent mid-range jumper, as he’s shooting 43% from that in-between range. He’s the best help defender in the league. Because the Bucks have only lost once when their stars have been healthy, Giannis is my current pick for MVP. The MVP favorite deserves to be captain of his conference’s All-Star roster.
Eastern Conference Reserves
G: Zach LaVine
With DeMar and Lonzo on the team to facilitate, Zach’s been able to focus on getting buckets (which is what he does best). He’s having the second-most efficient season of his career (49% from the field, 38% from deep). Zach is finally playing for a competitive team, and he will be an All-Star for the second time in his career.
G: LaMelo Ball
Social media darling LaMelo Ball is more than just a flashy player. He has a legit impact on winning basketball. In his sophomore year, he’s putting up 20 PPG (42% from the field, 39% from three), 8 RPG, 8 APG, and 1.9 SPG. LaMelo is a triple-double threat every night, and will make his first of many All-Star games this February.
F: DeMar DeRozan
After being snubbed multiple times from an All-Star selection in 2021 (he should have been selected to begin with, but he was also beat out twice for an injury replacement spot), DeMar will make the ASG for the first time since 2018. I know that nobody pays attention to/cares about the Spurs, but DeMar should have been an All-Star at least once during his time in San Antonio. I’m glad he went to a big market team because now he’s getting the recognition he’s deserved for years.
F: Jayson Tatum
I’ve been disappointed at times with Jayson Tatum’s play so far this season (as have many others), but it’s not entirely his fault. Especially when Jaylen Brown is hurt, Jayson is the only major threat to opposing defenses on the court for Boston. Because the Celtics don’t have a playmaking point guard, they play lots of iso ball. So, when the entire offense is Tatum isoing and he’s the only true offensive threat, it’s hard for him to score. His efficiency may be lower than usual, but he’s still been an All-Star so far.
F: Joel Embiid
After a bout of COVID-19 sidelined him for almost ten games, Joel came back and dropped 40 on the Timberwolves. That’s the type of player he is. Joel’s established himself as the second-best center in the league, and although he’s struggled at times this season he’s still an All-Star player.
Wildcard: Miles Bridges
I told you. Miles Bridges is that guy. If you haven’t read my favorite article I’ve ever written, you’re lame (but here’s the link so you can read it now). I made this before the season, and I told you that Miles was a baller. He’s picked up a huge role on the Hornets and ran away with it. Even though Charlotte’s barely above .500, I think they should have two All-Stars this year. Miles has earned it.
Wildcard: Jarrett Allen
Although I love Darius Garland and what he’s done this season, I think Cleveland’s 2022 All-Star should be Jarrett Allen. People called the 5-year, $100 million deal he signed last summer an overpay, but he’s been outperforming that this season. He’s a monster in the paint on both ends. So while Garland gets more attention ‘cause he’s flashier, the Fro deserves a lot of love for his performance so far.
East Injury Replacements: Darius Garland and Bradley Beal
This is basically my honorable mentions section. Darius Garland is having a helluva season and is showing Cleveland’s front office why he’s their guard of the future. Bradley Beal is having his worst season in half a decade, but the Wizards have been overperforming and he’s their leader.
Western Conference Starters
G: Stephen Curry (Captain)
The Warriors are the best team in the league, and Steph hasn’t slowed down at all from his insane 2021 season. He has been the best player in the West so far, and arguably the best in the league. He’s the captain of the Western Conference team so far.
G: Devin Booker
The Suns didn’t lose a game during the month of November, and Booker was their best player during that run. He’s shooting a career-high 40% from deep this season, and he’s the go-to guy in the clutch. After making the ASG as an injury replacement last season, Book’s on track to be a starter this season.
F: LeBron James
Injuries have held LeBron to just 12 games played so far, but he’s LeBron and he’s still one of the best in the league when he’s healthy. I will be astonished if he is not voted in as a starter when we get to the All-Star break.
F: Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns is a certified top-three center. He averaging 24 PPG while shooting 50% from the field and 45% from three, and he’s only shooting 5 free throws per game. KAT is still ignored by some because he plays in Minnesota, but he’s a top 15 player in the league and should start for the All-Star game based on his play so far.
F: Nikola Jokic
The reigning MVP and best center in the league is having another monster season. He’s kept the Nuggets hovering around .500 despite all the injuries his team has faced. He’s a clear choice for All-Star starter.
Western Conference Reserves
G: Chris Paul
Although his PPG is at a career-low (14.6), Chis is leading the league in assists per game and shooting a crazy 55% from mid-range. At age 36, CP3 is still an All-Star.
G: Paul George
You can make the argument that PG13 was better last season than he is this season if you look at the stats. His efficiency has sunken significantly as his volume has increased. However, in his first season as the number one scorer/ball-handler since his time in Indiana, he’s kept the undermanned Clippers in the playoffs. That’s why he’s an All-Star.
F: Anthony Edwards
I wasn’t too high on Ant in his rookie year. He scored a lot, but he did it inefficiently, and he didn’t do much else besides score. However, this season Ant has cleaned his game up. He’s more reliable on both ends of the floor, and I think he deserves to be an All-Star based on his play so far.
F: Draymond Green
As the Warriors have ascended back to contention, Draymond Green has reawakened his All-Star self. He’s one of the league’s top defenders and passers, and he’s shooting a career-high 55% from the field. The only way he doesn’t make an All-Star appearance this year is if voters decide to ignore his impact just because he’s not flashy.
F: Anthony Davis
The Brow has been pretty underwhelming so far. So underwhelming that if position requirements didn’t exist I probably wouldn’t give him a spot. It just seems like he’s not trying. He’s been incredibly inefficient on jumpers, and he takes so many that it’s a big problem. I can’t believe I said he was better than Giannis at one point. So while I’m giving AD the All-Star-so-far nod, I don’t really think he deserves it.
Wildcard: Ja Morant
Ja came into the league and immediately made a winning impact, leading his team to the play-in his rookie year and the playoffs his sophomore year. However, he has yet to make an All-Star game in his young career. That will change this February because Ja has been electric. He’s posting career highs in PPG, RPG, SPG, FT%, and 3P%, and the Grizzlies are the fourth seed in the West. Hopefully he recovers quickly from his injury because he deserves to be named an All-Star.
Wildcard: Luka Doncic
Luka is having his worst statistical season since his rookie year, but there’s no way he’s not an All-Star this year. He’s a top-tier scorer and playmaker, and the only thing holding him back is the team around him.
West Injury Replacements: Donovan Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins
Donovan Mitchell is the best player on one of the best teams record-wise, but a loaded Western backcourt pool means he can’t get an All-Star spot. Wiggins is playing the best basketball of his career, and he and Draymond are interchangeable for Golden State’s second All-Star.
So, those are my All-Stars so far! Do you agree? Did I forget anybody? Let me know! Thanks for reading and see you next time!
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