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

Frontcourt reserves

Griffin posts up Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler

Butler had a really dramatic start to the season, which he began as a Minnesota Timberwolf despite putting in a trade request at the start of the summer. 13 games in, however, he was traded to the Sixers in exchange for Dario Saric and Robert Covington in one of the most even trade deals in recent memory.

Having already hit 2 game winners with right-wing 3-pointers in his initial days with Philly, Butler has provided the franchise with the established two-way superstar who can work in tandem with either of their young studs or both of them on the court at the same time, and that has made all the difference as the Sixers pull away to cement homecourt in the first round of playoffs.

Blake Griffin

The one good thing that keeps the Detroit Pistons in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference this season has been its frontcourt, and Blake Griffin in particular. While Andre Drummond's weaknesses and strengths are well-documented thus far and you can gameplan against him, Blake is an unstoppable combination of brains and brawns who can only be stopped when he's not shooting well.

Averaging 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season and having one of the most healthy years of his career since 2013-14, Griffin would've made more noise in MVP contention if only he were around a more capable supporting cast.

Nikola Vucevic

NBA head coaches' practice of weighing team records with as much importance as the concerned player's stats has led to a lot of undeserving All-Star snubs over the years, and a prime case for such a tale this time around is Nikola Vucevic. The 28-year-old center is in his contract year with the Orlando Magic and is having by far the best season of his career.

Averages of 20.2 points and 12.0 rebounds on 53% shooting from the field and 37% from the 3-point line mark him out as one of the best offensive centers in the league today, and playoff teams may make a push to trade for him at the deadline in order to strengthen their frontcourt.