2020 Eastern Conference All-Stars

The Eastern Conference is finally reaching parity when it comes to comparing them with the Western Conference.

They have 6 solid teams that all have a chance to make the NBA Finals, and it would be 7 if Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were healthy.

​Let's dive in.

Eastern Conference All-Stars

Starters

Frontcourt

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Points Per Game: 30 (Career High)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9 (Career High)
​Usage: 37.9% (Leads NBA)

For a second year in a row, Giannis will be the captain of the Eastern Conference. This guy is the best player in the world as of right now, and only continues to improve.

He has career highs in multiple categories, while playing the least minutes per game since his rookie season at 30.6. I don't really know what else to say, it's Giannis.

Joel Embiid

Points Per Game: 23.4
Rebounds Per Game: 12.3
​Free Throw Percentage: 83.7% (Career High)

Similar to Paul George, Embiid has missed exactly 15 games this season. But when he's on the floor, he is still one of the top 10 players in the NBA. He has had trouble adjusting to the new roster that the Sixers have surrounded him with, but he has still been extremely efficient.

He is the leader on the Sixers in terms of Defensive Win Shares, and he's 8th across the whole league. Theres no question as to what this guy means to them on the defensive end of the court.

Jimmy Butler

Points Per Game: 20.2
Assists Per Game: 6.4 (Career High)
​Rebounds Per Game: 7 (Career High)

Jimmy said it best when he said "People act like I'm not a good basketball player." When he forced his way to Miami, the media wanted to slam him for going to a "worse" team while saying all he wanted to do was win.

Well guess what, that's exactly what he's done. He's taken on the role as leader of the Miami Heat franchise and has taught this young group what it means to share the ball and play defense at a high level. He's playing some of the best offensive basketball of his career, and his leadership is at an all-time high.

I'm not really sure why he's listed as a "Frontcourt" player, but it works because he made it to our starting rotation.

Backcourt

Kemba Walker

Points Per Game: 22.1
Free Throw Percentage: 86.6% (Career High)
Field Goal Percentage: 44.6% (Career High)

Kemba Walker has transitioned so smoothly into this Boston Celtics roster. His percentages are up, but all of his numbers are down. And that's only because for the first time in his career, he is being blessed by not having to do absolutely everything for his team.

He is the best guard in the Eastern Conference right now, especially because of the fact that Kyrie Irving can't find the floor to save his life. This kid is a no-brainer.

Ben Simmons

Points Per Game: 16
Steals Per Game: 2.2 (Career High and Leads NBA)
Assists Per Game: 8.5 (Career High and Second in NBA)

Even with the glaring hole in Ben Simmons' game, he has still been one of the best guards in the NBA. Without Joel Embiid on the floor, Simmons has led the Sixers to the highest pace of play in the NBA. His ability to find his teammates in the perfect spots has helped them open up the floor for the transformed roster.

But it's not his offense that landed him this starting spot, it's his defensive ability. As a 6' 10" point guard, his length has made it extremely difficult for opposing guards to play against him. He leads the league in Steals, Steals Per Game, Loose Balls Recovered, and is second in Deflections.

Eastern Conference All-Star Reserves

Bam Adebayo

Points Per Game: 16
Rebounds Per Game: 10.5
​Blocks Per Game: 1.2
(All Career Highs)

Nobody has benefitted more from the Jimmy Butler trade than Bam Adebayo. He leads the team in points off of screens, and is third in the NBA with 520. But the thing that I love about this guy is his resiliency.

He was great at Kentucky, but still slid to 14th in the draft. And even as a lottery pick, he found himself in the G-League for most of his first season. He got cut from the USA Basketball this past summer. And yet, here he is.

Domantas Sabonis

Points Per Game: 17.8
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9
Assists Per Game: 4.3
​(All Career Highs)

The Indiana Pacers have had trouble staying healthy this season, on top of already not having Victor Oladipo. But they still find themselves in the race for the 2 seed in the East. Much of it has to do with two guys, including Sabonis.

He has been one of those guys when the clock is winding down and they need a bucket, he has gotten it for them. He is one of the most technically sound players in the NBA, and will be rewarded by making his first ever All-Star appearance.

Pascal Siakam

Points Per Game: 23.7
Rebounds Per Game: 7.4
Free Throw Percentage: 81.7%
(All Career Highs)

Each of these last three guys we've talked about could potentially find themselves in the starting spot over Embiid depending on how the media and players vote. Pascal has missed 11 games, but has been incredible when he's been on the floor.

​In his first year as the leader of the Toronto Raptors, he has had them playing even better than most people had anticipated. And he may somehow be the Most Improved Player two years in a row.

Malcolm Brogdon

Points Per Game: 17.4
Assists Per Game: 7.4
Free Throw Percentage: 93% (Leads NBA)
(All Career Highs)

You might be starting to notice a trend for all these first time All-Stars as they are all setting career highs for themselves. Brogdon has found a role as a leader on this Pacers team, and has been nothing short of amazing in Oladipo's absence.

Expect him to only get better when he gets to play alongside Victor.

Khris Middleton

Points Per Game: 19.5
Free Throw Percentage: 88.9%
Field Goal Percentage: 50%
​(All Career Highs)

There was a couple guys I wanted to put in over Middleton. But the Bucks are the best team in the league so far, and only giving them one All-Star just doesn't seem right. His high efficiency should get him into his second All-Star game.

Trae Young

Points Per Game: 29.2
Assists Per Game: 8.6
​Field Goal Percentage: 44.7%

This kid's stat lines has been off the charts this season. Even without John Collins and Kevin Huerter for most of the season, he has still found ways to put up great numbers on the offensive end of the floor. His size makes it difficult for him on the defensive end, but he makes up for it with his ability to score and share the ball.

Bradley Beal

Points Per Game: 27.2
Assists Per Game: 6.3
Free Throw Percentage: 83.7%
(All Career Highs)

This is the second guy on this list of reserves that wouldn't be making his All-Star game debut. It has been a difficult season for the Washington Wizards, but this guy has been their bright spot. His high level of offensive play has helped the Wizards to 5th in the NBA in Points Per Game with 114.

Maybe Next Year Kid

Zach Lavine

Points Per Game: 25
Rebounds Per Game: 4.7
Three Point Percentage: 38.8%
​(All Career Highs)

Zach Lavine has done everything right this season when it comes to making a case for the All-Star game. He has improved his game all-around, he is top five in three pointers made, and he has come up in the clutch time and time again for the Chicago Bulls. There's just too many guys playing slightly better than him.

But the All-Star game is in Chicago, so don't be surprised if he makes it in.

Devonte' Graham

Points Per Game: 18.6
Assists Per Game: 17.7
Three Point Percentage: 38.6%

Nobody expected this kind of jump in his sophomore season from this kid. His numbers are eerily similar to those of Kemba's in his second season in Charlotte. So here's to hoping he can bring relevance back to the Hornets soon enough.

Jalen Brown

Points Per Game: 20
Rebounds Per Game: 6.8
Field Goal Percentage: 49.1%
​(All Career Highs)

This kid has not stopped improving since he came into the league. He got that brand new shiny contract from the Boston Celtics in the summer, and has earned every penny. If there's an incentive for making the All-Star game, let me hold a dollar.

Jayson Tatum

Points Per Game: 21.5
Rebounds Per Game: 6.9
Field Goal Percentage: 43.4%

Either him or Jaylen Brown might make the All-Star game, but not both. So it's really just about who the media and fans value more. We could see him getting in over Brown simply due to popularity.

---

(Other notable names: Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, Tobias Harris, Derrick Rose, Nikola Vucevic)

So that's it! Your 2020 All-Star rosters according to us. Make sure to hit us up and let us know where we went wrong.

And all you first time All-Stars, don't get too comfortable. Kevin Durant will be back next season.