Picking the reserves for the Western Conference All-Stars has become a yearly debate.
Each year, there's always one or two guys who get snubbed, causing an outcry among supporters and the players themselves.
This year is no different, as the West is loaded with talent at every position. No matter who gets selected, there is sure to be controversy among those who get left off the team.
With that being said, here are my predictions for the 2018 Western Conference Reserves:
Backcourt #1: Russell Westbrook
When the Thunder acquired both Paul George and Carmelo Anthony this past offseason, many were wondering how it would affect Russell Westbrooks game.
After controlling basically all of OKC's offense the previous season, Russ would have to learn to relinquish some control which has been hard for him in the past. (Hi Kevin Durant)
Yet we're more than halfway through the season and almost under the radar, Russ is mere percentage points away from averaging a triple-double, again.
And after a slow start to the season, the Thunder are currently 5th in the conference standings.
No debate here, Russ is a lock.
Backcourt #2: Jimmy Butler
When the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Jimmy Butler this past offseason, it was a message to the rest of the league that this team was going to compete now.
Butler, a three-time All-Star and All-Defensive second team member in his prime, was brought in with the hopes that his work ethic and tenacity on the defensive end would help translate into wins.
Needless to say, it's worked out pretty well so far.
Butler is averaging a well rounded 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while leading the Wolves to a 29-18 record, good for 4th in the West.
Minnesota's got the third-best offensive rating and their defensive rating is getting better by the month. It's no surprise their ascension in the standings has coincided with the arrival of Butler.
Frontcourt #1: Draymond Green
After three straight trips to the Finals and two championships, it's no secret that Draymond Green is not your typical All-Star.
Only averaging 11.1 points on the season, Green is not the type of player who can score in bunches like his splash teammates. Rather, it's his ability to do everything else that elevates him to All-Star status.
Green is currently averaging 7.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He gives the Warriors the ability to switch pick and rolls and allows them to role out their Death Lineup without sacrificing in the paint.
Draymond might not be a typical All-Star, but his versatility makes him arguably the Warriors most important player, which is enough to send him to Los Angeles come February.
Frontcourt #2: LaMarcus Aldridge
After a postseason run that saw the five-time All-Star average only 16.5 points, many wondered if the LaMarcus Aldridge that played in Portland was gone.
After all, he had struggled to find his footing in the Spurs offense and even requested a trade during the offseason.
Luckily, he and Coach Popovich hashed out their feelings, and it's led to a renaissance season by Aldridge.
The big man is averaging 22.6 points and 8.6 rebounds, much more similar to his Trail Blazer days.
What makes this all the more impressive is that he's done this mostly without the Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard, who's played only nine games this year due to injury.
With Leonard missing so much time, many figured the Spurs would falter in the standings.
And yet, they're 3rd in the West at 30-17. While some of that goes to the system of Coach Popovich, a big chunk of it should also go to Aldridge.
Frontcourt #3: Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic burst onto the NBA scene last year as a future superstar with a dazzling display of passing not seen from a big man since Arvydas Sabonis.
And this year, little has changed. Jokic is averaging a double-double with 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for a Nuggets squad that currently sits in the 9th spot out West, but just one and a half games out of the 6th spot.
He's done most of his damage without All-Star Paul Millsap, who was brought in to help form a dynamic passing frontcourt but instead has been out since November with a wrist injury.
The Nuggets have a bright future ahead of them with an interesting mix of young players. To be competing in the Wild West the way they have so far deserves some recognition, and with Jokic putting fantastic numbers, it's only right that he fills the third frontcourt spot for the West.
Wildcard #1: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard and All-Star Games have become a bit of a touchy subject over the past couple of seasons.
He's been snubbed the past two seasons, despite an increase in production from his two All-Star campaigns and the relevance of the Portland Trail Blazers in the playoff picture.
Well this year, Dame is no snub, as he has the Blazers in the 7th spot in the Western Conference with averages of 25.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Making the All-Star game should be based on a combination of individual statistics and overall team success. Dame has both, and one would think that makes him a lock for the All-Star Game. But as past seasons suggest, it hasn't been enough for Lillard.
Here's to hoping it does this year.
Wildcard #2: Lou Williams
Lou Willams' All-Star campaign has grown substantially with each game.
The 12-year vet has posted career-highs in both scoring and assists with 23.2 and 5.0 respectively despite a supporting cast that's been hit with the injury bug.
After Chris Paul left for Houston this past summer, many weren't sure where the Clippers fell in the Western Conference hierarchy.
After an up and down start to the season, the Clippers are back over 500. with the 8th seed in their back pocket. And with Patrick Beverley out for the year and Blake Griffin missing time with injury, the player most responsible for the Clippers playoff hopes is Sweet Lou.
Snubs:
#1: Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson deserves to be an All-Star.
The second half of the Splash Brothers is averaging 20.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, with an effective field goal percentage 0f 59%.
Couple that with the fact that he's tasked with guarding the opposing teams best perimeter player on a nightly basis, and it definitely wouldn't be the wrong decision to select Thompson as an All-Star reserve.
I just felt like with three other players already representing the Warriors, it wouldn't be right to give them a fourth when there are other players who deserve a spot as the possible only possible All-Star on their team.
#2: Karl Anthony-Towns
One could definitely make the argument that Towns deserves a spot over Nikola Jokic. After all, Towns is putting up 20.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks on the fourth best team in the West.
But one must look at each teams supporting cast.
KAT is playing with an All-Star in Jimmy Butler, along with a young stud in Andrew Wiggins and solid veterans in Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson.
Whereas, as mentioned before, Paul Millsap has been out since November, and the backcourt of Jamal Murray and Gary Harris is good, but not on the level of a Butler-Wiggins combo.
Butler is already repping the Wolves in this All-Star prediction. There's no reason that they should have two All-Stars when a guy like Jokic is keeping his team afloat in the West with a slightly above average supporting cast.
#3: Chris Paul
If not for Paul's injuries, it would've been a lot harder to keep him off the All-Star roster.
The point god is averaging his usual 18.7 points, 9.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on the second best team in the Western Conference, but he's missed 18 games already this season.
Like Thompson and Towns, Paul's squad is already represented in the All-Star game with James Harden. If he wasn't, it'd be more likely that he makes the cut. But there are other guys who are the best players on their teams, that are putting up numbers and helping their teams make the playoffs.
Those guys deserve some recognition as well.
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