F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
While LeBron James continues to represent the Lakers in the Western Conference, Giannis continues to represent the Bucks in the Eastern Conference, and for good reason. The 25-year-old is one of the most electric young players in the game, and this bodes well for his all-star game chances. Ever since his first all-star appearance in the 2016-17 season, Antetokounmpo has been steadily increasing his averages until this season, when he reached 30 points per game, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
These are fantastic averages, with his 30 points per game averaging second in the league, and his 13+ rebounds averaging fourth. However, there is no reason to think that these averages will tail off significantly, as Antentokounmpo is still in his prime. He has the support of the fans, as his electric style of play has propelled him into the spotlight as one of the most popular players in the game, with not only the fans, but also the players, and the media as well.
The Rest of the Starters
C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid is another young electric player. While there has been some reported controversy between him and the other Philadelphia star, G Ben Simmons, Embiid is a popular player, and should still get enough votes to play in the all-star game next year, whether he is a member of the 76ers or not. However, Embiid’s play more than backs up his three consecutive all-star nods. Boasting career averages of 24 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, Embiid’s play should be more than enough to warrant a fourth consecutive all-star appearance.
G Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
The second-year player got his first all-star nod this year, and there is little preventing him from getting a second in 2021. While Atlanta is low in attendance, and many of their fans are fairly fickle, Trae Young is still a fan favorite and should have little trouble collecting enough fan votes in a city with a metro population of over six million.
His performance backs up his votes, as well. This season, Young is averaging 30 points per game, as well as 9.2 assists. With Atlanta currently not having any other superstars to speak of, it is hard to see Young’s points dramatically decreasing, and as such, he should get a second all-star appearance next year.
G Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
It may seem unlikely that Beal would be an All-Star starter after not even making the team last year, but it is certainly possible. While he hasn’t been receiving very much attention, Beal has silently been having a career year. The two-time all-star has been averaging 30.1 points per game, which is second in the league behind James Harden, to go along with 4.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
However, Beal also has another thing going for him which should help his case; the return of John Wall. While Wall is currently nursing a torn Achilles, he should be back next season, which is good for Beal. When both are healthy, they are one of the deadliest backcourts in the East, and with the frontcourt presence of Davis Bertans, the Wizards should be a powerful team in the conference. All of this bodes well for Beal, as he looks to prove the doubters wrong and collect a third all-star appearance.
F Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Although Durant may be sidelined with an Achilles injury this year, expect him to come back in a big way in 2021. While he hasn’t played in a single game this season, Durant has posted career averages of 27 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, with a 49 percent shooting percentage.
While he may not be able to replicate these exact numbers in his age-32 season, anything close to these numbers would be close to the top at his position, as the current points leader for the position is Kawhi Leonard with 27.2.
Additionally, Durant plays in New York, which is one of the biggest markets in the NBA, and as such, he should have no problem gathering fan votes. If Durant can recover from his injury and return to the form that brought him 10 All-Star appearances, expect him to add another to his resume.
