The Philadelphia 76ers’ season has thus far been ruled by injuries and inconsistency. Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey — all of whom profiled as feasible All-Star candidates before the season — have all missed extended time. Meanwhile, the Sixers are barely above .500 on the season (14-12).
It’s hard not to be disappointed in the overall product so far. That said, there is also ample reason for long-term confidence. That’s primarily due to the individual performances from Philly’s stars — even if chemistry and availability haven’t quite been where they need to be, the core trio of Embiid, Harden, and Maxey has been extremely productive.
That brings us to the All-Star Game. Philadelphia entered the season with three viable candidates and appears to still have three viable candidates. But, because of injuries and wavering team success, it’s hard to say with any real confidence how many All-Stars the team will have (or deserve).
The 2023 NBA All-Star game could feature multiple Sixers… or just one.
Let’s state the obvious: barring further extreme injury problems, Joel Embiid will make his sixth consecutive All-Star game. He will probably start. On the season, Embiid is averaging a career-high 33.4 points per game on career-best efficiency. He somehow looks even better than last season on offense. Defense has been another matter, but Embiid is mostly incredible on that side of the ball too.
It gets dicier for Harden and Maxey — partly because they’ve missed more games, partly because of the backcourt depth in the East, and partly because they’ve been mostly one-way players.
So, let’s dive into the potential rosters for both conference and determine whether or not the Sixers can reasonably expect more than one All-Star in the new year.
Western Conference NBA All-Star predictions
Starting Five
Stephen Curry, Warriors: Golden State has struggled, relatively speaking, out of the gates, but the tides are turning in their favor. Largely due to the impressive, MVP-level basketball of Stephen Curry. His efficiency is back to absurd levels (.502/.436/.908) and his unique style continues to elevate those around him.
Luka Doncic, Mavericks: Luka Doncic would be the runaway MVP favorite if the Celtics (and by extension Jayson Tatum) weren’t obliterating every team in their path right now. Doncic is leading the NBA in scoring (32.9) while contributing prolifically in the other primary statistical categories too. He’s shooting 50.1 percent from the field (the highest mark of his career) and his best teammate is who, Dorian Finney-Smith?
Zion Williamson, Pelicans: The former No. 1 pick is rapidly ascending into the upper-echelon of NBA stardom for the current No. 1 seed in the West. Zion Williamson is still the most unstoppable interior scorer in the game, as well as a legitimate lead creator for the Pelicans offense. He’s even starting to turn the corner defensively.
Domantas Sabonis, Kings: In all honestly, LeBron James will probably get this spot because of fan voting and his indelible reputation. But the Kings are 4.5 games ahead of LA in the standings and Domantas Sabonis has been the impressive orbital center of that offense, obliterating defenders in the post and supplying a steady source of playmaking from the elbows. His incredible precision, both as a scorer and a passer, has unlocked Sacramento’s suddenly elite offense. He deserves all the credit in the world.
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: Despite noticeable dips in scoring volume and aggressiveness, the Nuggets still plummet off a cliff whenever Nikola Jokic sits. He’s on track for career-high assist numbers (9.1 per game) and his efficiency hasn’t slipped at all. There’s still nobody who can blend blunt force dominance and creativity-driven finesse like the two-time reigning MVP.
Reserves
Devin Booker, Suns: The sheer volume of elite talent in the NBA is doing Devin Booker no favors here. In almost any other season, it feels like he would be an All-Star starter and a leading MVP candidate. The backcourt depth in the West is out of control right now. Booker has captained Phoenix’s elite two-way attack and helped the Suns to overcome multiple key absences.
Ja Morant, Grizzlies: Similarly to Booker, we’d probably be talking a lot more about Ja Morant’s MVP chances in a “normal” season. He is once again leading one of the youngest teams in the NBA to the top of his conference. Morant is one of one, a truly unique slasher who defenses basically can’t keep out of the paint no matter how hard they try.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: OKC’s overall struggles could hurt Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once February rolls around, but the production is undeniable. He’s one of the best individual scorers in the NBA right now (30.8 points per game on 50.1 percent shooting) and he looks like a player who can one day lead the charge for a contender.
Anthony Davis, Lakers: What a season for Anthony Davis. Written off by many before the season, Davis has turned back to clock and dominated both sides of the ball. LA’s struggles hurt his case, but few players have influenced both sides of the ball to the extent Davis has.
Andrew Wiggins, Warriors: It would appear that Wiggins’ 2022 All-Star appearance was less of a fluke than anticipated. He has crystalized his role as Golden State’s 3-and-D expert, a model of efficiency and steadfast wing defense — quite the surprise for those who remember his first few years in Minnesota.
Paul George, Clippers: The Clippers have been able to survive countless injury scares in large part due to Paul George’s steadfast presence (when he himself hasn’t been hurt). It hasn’t been George’s most explosive season, but the production is there and he’s one of the most reliable two-way stars in the NBA.
LeBron James, Lakers: James has conceded lead scoring duties to AD for the most part and the Lakers aren’t really good enough to have two All-Stars. But he’s LeBron and the numbers, however milquetoast in comparison to other LeBron seasons, are still remarkable (25.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists).
Honorable mentions: Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Jerami Grant (Blazers), Anfernee Simons (Blazers), De’Aaron Fox (Kings), Deandre Ayton (Suns), Brandon Ingram (Pelicans), Desmond Bane (Grizzlies)
Eastern Conference NBA All-Star predictions
Starting Five
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton is one of most impressive guards in the NBA right now. He leads the league in assists per game (11.0) and barely ever turns the ball over (2.7 per game). He’s averaging 20.2 points on .488/.410/.859 shooting splits, making the leap in turns of volume without sacrificing efficiency. The Pacers are over .500 in a year many expected them to rebuild, largely because of how good Haliburton is.
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: He’s making the leap to full-blown superstardom. Donovan Mitchell has posted borderline MVP numbers for a Cavs team that looks more than ready to compete right now. He’s shooting out of his mind from everywhere on the floor (.496/.424/.890), delicately balancing his ability to bulldoze through defenders in the paint with his ability to rain down pull-up jumpers or create for teammates.
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: If the season ended today, Jayson Tatum would probably win MVP. He’s the best player on the best team, posting an efficient 30.0 points per game and helming the most harmonious offense in the league. He’s also an excellent wing defender, truly living up to the “two-way superstar” label.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: Living up to the mantle of “NBA’s best player,” Giannis has anchored the Bucks on both sides of the ball. Milwaukee is pretty definitively the second-best team in the NBA right and Giannis could quite feasibly win both MVP and DPOY at this stage in the season.
Joel Embiid, Sixers: The depth of superstar-level talent in the NBA right now has obscured just how insane Joel Embiid‘s production is. He’s averaging 33.4 points per game, the highest mark in the NBA, on impressive efficiency. His defense wavers night to night, but he’s mostly elite in that respect. He would be the MVP favorite if not for injuries and Philly’s relative struggles (and, again, the abnormally high volume of other absurd performances around the association so far).
Reserves
Kevin Durant, Nets: Surprise, surprise, Kevin Durant is still the most nutty, unguardable offensive player in the NBA. His 3-point volume is momentarily down, but he’s supremely efficient inside the arc and still an unusually dynamic playmaker at 6-foot-10. He’s not done keeping Brooklyn on the map, it would seem.
Jaylen Brown, Celtics: Jaylen Brown is having the best season of his career, making another offensive leap for the best offense in the NBA. He’s an elite slasher and versatile defensive wing posting 26.8 points per game on .501/.345/.841 splits — pretty good!
Pascal Siakam, Raptors: The Raptors need to get the train back on the track as a team, but no one can fault Pascal Siakam. He has cemented his status as a top-25 player, dominating as a physical slashing scorer while averaging 8.9 rebounds and 7.1 assists and anchoring the Raptors’ unique switchy defense.
Jimmy Butler, Heat: Miami has to win more games, but Jimmy Butler has been as productive and efficient as we’ve come to expect. He still gets after it on both ends and, should the Heat’s record improve between now and February, it probably won’t take much convincing for NBA coaches to vote him in.
Trae Young, Hawks: Inefficiency has been the story of Trae Young’s season to date, as have rumors of discord in the locker room. But he’s still supremely productive (27.5 points and 9.5 assists) and the offensive fulcrum of a winning team. I’m willing to bet the shooting numbers will come around in time.
Darius Garland, Cavaliers: The arrival of the aforementioned Donovan Mitchell has only empowered Darius Garland more. He’s posting 21.6 points and 7.8 assists for the most balanced and potent offense west of Boston.
James Harden, Sixers: He can’t afford another extended absence (only 11 games played so far), but despite some local concerns about James Harden‘s play style, the production is undeniable. He’s the best set-up man in the NBA behind Haliburton, gifted at manipulating the defense off the dribble and leveraging his gravity to create for teammates. If the Sixers only get one injury-riddled guard in the All-Star game it will probably be Harden, by reputation if nothing else.
Honorable mentions: Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Brook Lopez (Bucks), Jrue Holiday (Bucks), DeMar DeRozan (Bulls), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Tyrese Maxey (Sixers), Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Bam Adebayo (Heat), Franz Wagner (Magic)