NBA All-Star Game 2019: Predicting the Eastern Conference All-Stars

Backcourt reserves

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Kemba Walker

I don't think there's a single offensive superstar in the league who's playing with a supporting cast worse than what Kemba has had to make do with for the past couple of seasons.

His team's most reliable scorer other than himself is a washed Tony Parker who runs the bench unit, and there's a dearth of big men with a shooting range on his roster that accentuates this problem.

Without a doubt, however, Walker has elevated his game to a whole other level this season, flashing Kyrie-like handles to squeeze his 6-foot frame past behemoths guarding the paint, and his step-back jumper looks better than ever before. Consequently, he's averaging career highs across the board and looks set to lead the Hornets back to the playoffs.

Ben Simmons

The Benny 1-point memes are no longer going to be valid about Simmons, whose stats this season do not represent the leaps he's taken on both ends of the floor.

A more polished post game, greater tendency to drive and better finishing at the rim have helped him up to his field goal percentage, while he looks ever so comfortable at guarding nearly every player in the league barring the really biggest centers.

Simmons plays with the swagger of an accomplished veteran and his court vision, pure driving ability and feel for the game put him on a whole other tier compared to the rest of the rookies from last year's rookie class.