February Power Rankings: All-Star Predictions

February is here and thus time for another power ranking, including predictions for the 24 players who will be selected as All-Stars this month. 

Check out my previous power rankings from December and January!

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 15-6

Previous: 1

The Lakers have been dominant on the road, winning a league-best 11 away games this season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both averaging more than 20 points per game and are easy All-Star selections in the Western Conference.

All-Star(s): LeBron James, Anthony Davis

2. Philadelphia 76ers

Record: 15-6

Previous: 6

Philadelphia currently sits atop the Eastern Conference at 15-6. Joel Embiid is averaging 28 points and 11 rebounds per game and is a front-runner to win MVP two months into the season. Tobias Harris has also had a brilliant start to the season, although Embiid will be the 76ers’ only All-Star.

All-Star(s): Joel Embiid

3. Los Angeles Clippers

Record: 16-5

Previous: 3

Los Angeles is sitting pretty atop the Western Conference at the moment. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been the league’s best duo this season. Both are scoring upwards of 24 points per game and are strong candidates for All-Star starters.

All-Star(s): Paul George, Kawhi Leonard

4. Utah Jazz

Record: 15-5

Previous: 14

Utah caught fire in January, winning 11 straight games and grabbing the second seed in the West. Donovan Mitchell has been solid this season, averaging 23 points per game, however, Rudy Gobert will beat him out for an All-Star selection. Gobert is averaging 13 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks per game.

All-Star(s): Rudy Gobert

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Record: 11-8

Previous: 4

The Bucks have experienced struggles early on this season but still sit third in the Eastern Conference standings. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s scoring nearly 28 points per game, should be the All-Star captain in the East.

All-Star(s): Giannis Antetokounmpo

6. Boston Celtics

Record: 10-8

Previous: 7

As a result of several injuries and COVID restrictions, the Celtics have lost several games they should have won, however, they still hold the fourth-best record in the East. Jaylen Brown has been on another level this season, averaging 27 points per game on 53 percent shooting. Brown and Jayson Tatum are both near locks for the All-Star game this year.

All-Star(s): Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown

7. Brooklyn Nets

Record: 13-9

Previous: 2

After trading for James Harden earlier in the month, the Nets defense has looked horrendous, and thus, they have fallen in the rankings. Still, Brooklyn has three of the league’s best scorers. Kevin Durant is an early MVP favorite, averaging 30 points per game. He and Kyrie Irving will be easy All-Star selections.

All-Star(s): Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant

8. Indiana Pacers

Record: 11-9

Previous: 10

Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon have carried the Pacers to a solid record this season. Sabonis is scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds per game and will be one of the first All-Star selections in the Eastern Conference.

All-Star(s): Domantas Sabonis

9. Denver Nuggets

Record: 12-8

Previous: 13

Nikola Jokic continued his MVP caliber season in January. Aside from scoring 26 points per game, Jokic is also averaging 12 rebounds and 8 assists to go along with five triple-doubles. He’s an easy pick for an All-Star starter in the West this year.

All-Star(s): Nikola Jokic

10. Phoenix Suns

Record: 10-8

Previous: 8

Despite Devin Booker struggling from the field, the Suns currently hold the sixth seed in the West. Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton are longshots to make All-Stars, but Phoenix fans should be excited to finally watch playoff basketball.

All-Star(s): None

11. Miami Heat

Record: 7-12

Previous: 5

Miami was one of several teams to fall victim to COVID restrictions. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo each missed some games and as a result, the Heat have dropped out of the playoff picture for the moment. On the bright side, Adebayo will likely make his second All-Star appearance this season.

All-Star(s): Bam Adebayo

12. Dallas Mavericks

Record: 8-12

Previous: 9

Injuries and several games missed by players due to COVID have resulted in a shaky start to the season for Dallas. Regardless, Luka Doncic is playing at an MVP level and is a projected All-Star starter for the West. He’s averaging 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists per game.

All-Star(s): Luka Doncic

13. Golden State Warriors

Record: 11-9

Previous: 25

The Warriors bounced back from a poor start to the season in a big way. They jumped into the playoff picture and role players like Kelly Oubre and Andrew Wiggins have found their jump shot. Stephen Curry looks incredible, averaging 28 points per game. He’ll likely make the All-Star starters in the Western Conference.

All-Star(s): Stephen Curry

14. Atlanta Hawks

Record: 10-9

Previous: 11

John Collins and Trae Young are shaping up to be one of the best duos in the entire league. They’ve helped the Hawks to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Young should get his second career All-Star selection, thanks to his 27 points and nine assists per game.

All-Star(s): Trae Young

15. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 8-6

Previous: 26

Memphis had several games postponed and were without Ja Morant for two weeks (ankle sprain), however, they are still in the playoff conversation. Morant has been phenomenal in the six games he’s played but it won’t be enough to get an All-Star Selection.

All-Star(s): None

16. Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 10-8

Previous: 17

The Trail Blazers have once again relied heavily on their two superstars and so far it’s working out. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are both scoring upwards of 27 points per game and should each be selected as All-Stars this season.

All-Star(s): Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum

17. San Antonio Spurs

Record: 11-9

Previous: 22

San Antonio has been consistently in the middle of the pack and should remain that way throughout the season. Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson have both excelled this season alongside DeMar DeRozan, who will likely get one of the final All-Star spots in the West.

All-Star(s): DeMar DeRozan

18. Cleveland Cavaliers

Record: 9-11

Previous: 23

The Cavaliers have looked like a brand new team after trading for Jarrett Allen. Andre Drummond and Collin Sexton have dominated this season, however, they may just barely miss out on All-Star selections.

All-Star(s): None

19. Toronto Raptors

Record: 8-12

Previous: 16

Toronto has been one of the bigger surprises so far this season. Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam haven’t played well enough and the lack of a dominant presence down low has resulted in a brutal 8-12 start.

All-Star(s): None

20. New York Knicks

Record: 9-12

Previous: 28

The Knicks made a huge jump in my rankings because of the consistent play of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Randle has been one of the league’s best playmakers this season, averaging 22 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. He’ll likely get the first All-Star appearance of his career.

All-Star(s): Julius Randle

21. Charlotte Hornets

Record: 9-11

Previous: 15

Charlotte may not make the playoffs this season, however, the future is bright. Lamelo Ball is the front-runner to win Rookie of the Year and Gordon Hayward is proving to be worth the money.

All-Star(s): None

22. Orlando Magic

Record: 8-13

Previous: 18

After losing Markelle Fultz to a torn ACL, the Magic have looked terrible on both ends of the court and fell out of the playoff picture. Nikola Vucevic looks great offensively, but it won’t likely be enough for an All-Star selection.

All-Star(s): None

23. New Orleans Pelicans

Record: 7-11

Previous: 12

Both Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are candidates for All-Star selections in New Orleans. Despite a bad start to the season, Williamson should be out his teammate and get his first career All-Star appearance. The sophomore out of Duke is averaging 24 points per game.

All-Star(s): Zion Williamson

24. Chicago Bulls

Record: 7-11

Previous: 27

If it weren’t for Zach LaVine, the Bulls might be the worst team in the league. Their defense has struggled late in games and inconsistent play from the starters have contributed to a 7-11 start to the season. LaVine is projected to receive his first All-Star selection after averaging 27 points over the first two months of the season.

All-Star(s): Zach Lavine

25. Sacramento Kings

Record: 8-11

Previous: 20

De’Aaron Fox has continued to shine for the Kings, scoring 21 points and dishing out six assists per game. Unfortunately, poor coaching and the inability to close out games have contributed to a shaky start to the season.

All-Star(s): None

26. Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 8-10

Previous: 24

Considering the massive rebuild the Thunder embarked on at the start of the season, they aren’t playing very bad. Shai Gilgeos-Alexander looks like the future of the franchise, although it may take another year for him to see an All-Star selection.

All-Star(s): None

27. Houston Rockets

Record: 9-9

Previous: 19

After trading James Harden to the Nets, the Rockets’ expectations of making the playoffs have all but disappeared. On the bright side, Christian Wood was a phenomenal offseason acquisition.

All-Star(s): None

28. Washington Wizards

Record: 4-12

Previous: 29

The Wizards have been one of the statistically worst defensive teams in the league this season and thus, hold on to the worst record. Bradley Beal is projected as an All-Star starter in the East. He’s averaging a league-best 34.7 points per game.

All-Star(s): Bradley Beal

29. Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 5-14

Previous: 21

The Timberwolves are another team who fell victim to postponements due to COVID this season. With Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined, Minnesota has looked awful and should expect another season without playoff basketball.

All-Star(s): None

30. Detroit Pistons

Record: 5-15

Previous: 30

Detroit continues to lose games by a large margin due to a lack of scorers. Offseason acquisition Jerami Grant has looked great and is one of the favorites to win Most Improved Player, however, he might barely miss out on an All-Star selection.

All-Star(s): None

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