NBA 2019-20: Predicting the Eastern Conference All Star starters

Approximately a fourth of the new NBA season is past us, and we're still grasping for straws trying to explain who ends up in what bracket. There are a couple of players on this list who will be regulars for years to come, as they lead their teams into the championship sweepstakes. A couple more are also regular fixtures from the past into the roster, although it would be difficult to put a ceiling on their performances given the remainder of their peak. Let's take a look at the 5 likeliest players from the Eastern Conference to make the starting 5 from the East side given their performances up until this point of the season.

Note: the likes of Kyrie Irving are yet to hit the groove that gave them a starters' role in 2019.

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#5 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Clippers

Picking up right where he left off, Giannis Antetokounmpo seems keyed to once again reaching the Conference Finals. Although the Bucks are a little less well-rounded than they were in the last go-around, the Freak's performances have ensured their steady progress as Milwaukee continues to top the Eastern Conference as well as the overall standings this season at this point. An 18-3 record is a really encouraging sign for a team that lost 2 reliable sharpshooters in Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic (Mirotic is back in homeland Spain to play for Barcelona).

Running a distant second to Harden in the scoring department, the Freak's average of 30.8 points per game is still a vast advantage given his extremely efficient play around and above the rim. He's also 4th across the league in rebounding, netting an average of 13.4 boards in 21 games played. At 5.9 assists per game, Giannis is basically in continuation with his 2018-19 impact on the floor and might well win the MVP award back-to-back.

#4 Joel Embiid

San Antonio Spurs v Philadelphia 76ers

The Cameroonian heading the Philly Process and putting the city on his back refuses to let a 4-bounce heart-rending losing shot affect his destiny, as he's showing with his play this season. Notwithstanding a game when he scored 0 points against the same rivals shorn of best player Kawhi (who's now in LA), Joel Embiid looks in the best physical shape of his life.

For a 7'2", 280 pound person like him to be continuously running up and down the floor at full pelt, one might be forgiven for calling him an injury threat every time he sets foot on court. But Joel is back from the only summer of his professional career when he's had time to work on his game (mainly from the post area), and there can be no doubt about his work ethic towards making the post area his bread and butter in the future.

His on/off court splits speak all they need to for themselves - the Sixers yield a measly 93.8 points per 100 possessions when he's on court, accounting for a netrating of 10.8 for the Phillies.

#3 Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets

Now that he's finally out of the shadow of the most Kobe-like personality and player in the league in Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum has made the jump in production that many expected him to do following a stellar rookie campaign for the Shamrock Greens in the 2018 playoffs.

Averaging 21.1 points (second in the team), his floor spacing has enabled Kemba to be the primary ballhandler and dictate the Celtics' offense. As a result, the Cs are currently 4th in the Conference.

Losing Gordon Hayward to injury may indeed have been a blessing in disguise for Tatum, who has not let a single opportunity to shine slide away from him. It remains to be seen, however, if his edge in offense compensates for Jimmy Butler's edge in defensive mentality and who of the two will end up starting in the game that matters once more.

#2 Bradley Beal

Washington Wizards v Denver Nuggets

The Wizards seem to be the most cursed franchise in league history. Since they last made it to a Conference Finals in 1979, the NBA has undergone an obscene amount of rule changes. Right now, they have in their roster the most athletic guard in the league (Wall) sidelined, and so are having to defend their pride using only their other All Star, who happens to be Bradley Beal.

Having performed at an All Star level for 4 years now, I think it's time to acknowledge him as a 2-guard below only James Harden in the league. Averaging 28 points on 46.7% field goal efficieny and 34.6% 3-pointer efficiency, Beal has kept the Wizards afloat this far at a 6-12 record.

For them to push for the playoffs, however, they need some guard strength and players with defensive acumen, and they need these pieces quickly. Unsatisfied players in today's day and age find it quite easy to jump on any wagon that they see fit, and as neutral fans, one would hope that the lone reason the Wizards are relevant today sees the light at the end of the dark Washington tunnel that he's endured for the 3rd season running, right now.

#1 Ben Simmons

Philadelphia 76ers v Phoenix Suns

Into his 3rd full season, 'Benny 1-point' seems to finally have a midrange game that keeps him a lethal option in the half-court set without the ball. His postup game is already quite polished and allows the Sixers to go small without Embiid, but his handles, decision-making and decisiveness at finishing have a long way to go before he earns a good comparison to LeBron James.

Nevertheless, the Sixers are off to a hot start and will need to buoy themselves up in case of load management issues with their big men. At an athletic 6'9-6'10" hybrid, Ben Simmons could occupy any position during any given set to maximize his potential, and coach Brett Brown is tweaking his plans to accomodate him into various small-ball lineups while not playing Embiid beyond 32 minutes most nights.

Perhaps Tobias Harris picking his act up will ease the load on the Sixers' young duo.