The Warriors will get four All-Stars again. Not because they’re winning games, but because all four players are typically deserving. As the best all-around defender in basketball, Green is the emotional and on-court leader that makes Golden State elite on both ends.
What he lacks in stats he makes up for in impact, allowing the Warriors to go small and using his playmaking chops to dissect defenses in the pick-and-roll. Expect Green to be in the Defensive Player of the Year discussion yet again.
Stephen Curry is the best shooter of all-time. Thompson might be the second best, thriving on spot-up jumpers in a comfortable role as the Warriors’ fourth option. He’s also an elite on-ball defender, often taking on the toughest assignment. Imagine him as the No. 1 option.
Paul is still playing at an elite level, joining fellow 2003 draftee and good friend LeBron James among the best old heads in the NBA. Injuries have hindered him in recent years, but the Rockets probably win the Finals if it weren’t for a bum hamstring in the conference finals. Paul was the best player for long stretches in that Rockets-Warriors series.
Westbrook’s style is controversial, but his placement on this list shouldn’t be. He’s an elite talent in every capacity, shouldering the lion’s share of OKC’s offense and averaging a triple-double in two consecutive seasons.
His all-out approach could hurt him once age creeps into the picture, but Westbrook single-handedly puts the Thunder in playoff contention. In the cutthroat Western Conference, that statement shouldn’t be taken lightly.
With Carmelo Anthony gone and George boasting some long-term security, expect a big second season in OKC. He’s the perfect co-star for Russell Westbrook, shooting 40.1 percent from deep, playing elite perimeter defense and thriving without the ball in his hands.
Karl-Anthony Towns made his All-Star debut last season. Now Jokic joins the party, with the Nuggets expected to make serious progress in 2018. A healthy Paul Millsap, along with growth from Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, could put the Nuggets in contention for home-court advantage. Jokic, despite his limited defensive profile, is at the center of everything they do.
Before his injury last season, Butler had the Wolves vying for a top-three seed. In the Western Conference. He’s the make-or-break talent for that team, playing elite perimeter defense and shouldering an immense playmaking/scoring load on offense.
He’s also on the floor approximately 85 minutes per game under Tom Thibodeau. The man will represent the West if he’s still in Minnesota once February rolls around.
Honorable mentions: Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, DeMar DeRozan