2018-19 All-Star picks: Do the Philadelphia 76ers deserve 3 players?

Kyrie Irving has been the stabilizing force for an erratic Celtics team, keeping them afloat despite struggles from several core pieces. Boston is still figuring itself out to some degree, but Irving alone makes them a dangerous contender in the East.

Along with 23.5 points per game, Irving is averaging a career high in assists (6.9), rebounds (4.8) and steals (1.7). While his size presents limitations, Irving has transformed himself into a solid defender as well. He’s taking the next step as a bona fide star in the NBA.

While Kemba Walker‘s explosive pace has slowed down, he’s still the ultra-productive fulcrum through which Charlotte’s entire system runs. He’s single-handedly keeping them afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, averaging 25.0 points and 5.6 assists per game.

Couresty of his well-documented work ethic, Walker has developed into one of the league’s most dynamic live-dribble scorers. He can pull-up in tight spaces from well beyond the three-point line, mixing shifty handles with a nose for the basket. All that, and he grinds on defense. He deserves the starting spot next to Kyrie.

The Raptors are vying for the East’s top spot, with Kawhi Leonard separating himself (unsurprisingly) as their best player. An elite wing defender with a well-rounded offensive game, Kawhi still has an argument to be a top-five NBA player at his peak.

As of now, Toronto should be the prohibitive favorites in the East. Boston and Milwaukee will certainly make noise — with the former boasting ample room for growth between now and the postseason — but the Raptors have depth and starpower to spare. Kawhi is the game-breaker Toronto has lacked in recent seasons.

One of the strongest MVP candidates, Giannis Antetokounmpo has the Bucks going back and forth with Toronto in the East. He’s averaging a cool 26.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, all while putting together a legitimate All-Defense case on the other end.

Mike Budenholzer continues to put Giannis in a position to succeed, surrounding him with shooters and leveraging the unique pressure he puts on the rim. He leads the NBA in dunks by a solid margin, and that’s all by design.

Outside James Harden and Giannis, few players have a more compelling MVP case than Joel Embiid. He’s managed to lift a thin Sixers team to contender status, single-hanedly raising their performance on both ends.

Few players can control the flow of a game like Embiid. He’s the most dominant post threat in the league, using his physicality, footwork and touch to expose defenders in isolation. He’s also improving as a passer, which is a big step in his development. The frontcourt starters in the East don’t require much debate.