Each and every year we debate which players should be on the NBA All-Star team. So, let’s start the debate on the western conference side. Which players should start the game?

Starters

There are two backcourt and three frontcourt spots that are available for the starting line-up. Here are my selection for those spots.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

This was an absolute no-brainer pick. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the front runner to win the Most Valuable Player award this season. SGA has been excellent and helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the west.

The former Los Angeles Clipper is averaging 31.4 points, 6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds, while shooting 52% from the floor.

Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves have underwhelmed so far this season but that has not been on Anthony Edwards, who is having an excellent season. Edwards is averaging 26.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 44% from the floor and 42% from three point range.

LeBron James

Death, Taxes, and LeBron James starting in the all-star game. It’s a yearly tradition to see LeBron James be introduced as a starter and its been well deserved. This season is no different as he is still one of the most productive players in the NBA.

James is averaging 23.8 points per game, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 51% from the floor and 40% from three point range for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are currently sixth in the western conference.

Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is having another year that will put him in the running for the MVP award. Jokic has lead the Denver Nuggets to the fourth seed in the western conference so far. He is averaging 30.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game while shooting 56% from the floor and 47% from three point range.

Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs have a legit shot to crash the playoff party this season. The main reason for that is the play on both ends of the phenom, Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama is averaging 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and a league leading four blocks per game.

The impact that the Frenchman has on both ends, landed him in the starting line-up, for my all-star team.

Reserves

There are seven spots on the all-star bench, there are two backcourt spots, three frontcourt spots, and two wildcard spots.

Jalen Williams

The Oklahoma City Thunder have clearly been the best team in the western conference so far this season. Their MVP candidate Gilgeous-Alexander is a the driving force behind that but he is not alone. The man riding shotgun is Jalen Williams.

Williams has a major impact on both ends of the court. He is one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. The third year shooting guard has the ability to guard the quickest guards in the league while also being able to bang down low with big men.

The versatility of Williams is a major reason why OKC has the top ranked defense in the NBA. He is also bringing on the offensive end as well. Williams is averaging 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, while shooting 47% from the floor.

Steph Curry

Steph Curry is averaging 23 points and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 45% from the floor and 41% from three. The Golden State Warriors are on the outside of the playoff picture but that is not due to the effort from Curry. Curry is the main reason they still have a chance to make the playoffs.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is having another healthy season, as I knock on wood. He has only missed three games so far this year. He has been outstanding on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor. Davis is averaging 25.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

Kevin Durant

The Phoenix Suns have been very disappointing this year but just like LeBron James, even at this stage of his career, Kevin Durant is still one of the most productive players in the NBA.

Durant is averaging 27.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He is also having another efficient season, shooting 52% from the floor and 37% from three.

Alperen Sengun

The Houston Rockets are the surprise team of the NBA this season. They currently have the second best record in the western conference. The main reason behind their success is their defense which is ranked fourth in the NBA but points still need to be scored.

The Rockets depend on Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green to produce most of their offense. Sengun produces on the offensive end in many ways, averaging 19.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, while shooting 49% from the floor.

Norman Powell

The Los Angeles Clippers have exceeded expectations this season and one of the main reasons has been the improvement in production by Norman Powell. Powell may be a lock for the Most Improved Player award.

So far this season, Powell is averaging 23.7 points per game while shooting 49% from the floor and 44% from three point range.

Domantas Sabonis

The Sacramento Kings have had an up and down season that included the firing of head coach, Mike Brown. Usually a team that fires their head coach early in the season does not have an all-star but Domantas Sabonis has been outstanding despite the circumstances.

Sabonis leads the league in rebounds per game with 14.2 and three point field goal percentage at 48%. He is also averaging 20.8 points and 6.3 assists per game.

The Replacements

Every year there is a player or players who are unable to play in the all-star game due to injury. Here are the players who should be first in line to replace an injured player.

De’Aaron Fox

The Kings have fought their way back into the playoff picture behind the great play of Fox after their rocky start. The former Kentucky Wildcat is averaging 26 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 48% from the floor. He missed the cut because the west is so deep at the guard position.

Kyrie Irving

This year Kyrie Irving may fall short of making the all-star game due to the disappointing play of the Dallas Mavericks while Luka Doncic has been injured.

He is averaging 24.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the floor and 43% from three point range. These are definitely all-star type numbers but there are only so many spots on the team.

James Harden

James Harden may have the biggest argument of any of the “snubs”. He has been the driving force behind the surprising Clippers. He is averaging 21.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game.

The reason he is not on my all-star team is the lack of efficiency. He is only shooting 39% from the floor and 34% from three point range.

Do you agree with my choices? If not, please let me know who should be on the team.