(L to R): Western Conference’s Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry and Karl-Anthony Towns.
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Periodically, NBA.com editors will offer their thoughts on key storylines or hot topics around the league.
It’s the All-Star Game, so it’s hard to imagine what will happen. But if you had to choose a conference winner and an All-Star Game MVP, who would you choose?
Steve Aschburner
I choose the West. The East is missing two of its original 12 roster, with Joel Embiid and Julius Randle replaced by Trae Young and Scottie Barnes. Good backups, but Embiid was having an MVP season. The West is intact.
The MVP will be Tyrese Haliburton. There is a story of heroes of the internal market who found themselves All-Star MVP, and I expect that to continue with the Indiana point guard. He’s ready for an escape, the crowd will pump air under his wings, and at this event, even the opponents seem ready to facilitate the local guy’s big night.
Brian Martin
I choose the West. The depth of talent on the West roster is off the charts. They have three No. 1 picks (Davis, Towns, Edwards) and two Finals MVPs (Curry and Leonard) coming off the bench. All the new arrivals in the East give a huge experience advantage to the West.
The MVP will be Luka Doncic. As a starter for the West, Luka will have the opportunity to warm up early, and if he does, he should get the minutes and touches needed to have a shot at his first Kobe Bryant Trophy.
Shaun Powell
I choose the West. I’m glad to see it’s returning to the traditional East vs. West format. These matches are always difficult to predict because the talent is usually evenly distributed. The West gets the edge because LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are usually great in these games and who knows, they might not be All-Star teammates often anymore. Nikola Jokic is a player who will make no difference to the West. He’ll probably volunteer to give his playing time to others, as usual.
The MVP will be Luka Doncic. It’s his prize to lose, especially if you subscribe to the “it’s his turn” theory. He didn’t win the award so his teammates might try to feed him and get it for him. His open court game is made for this format and it will be a shock if he doesn’t get a triple-double.
John Schumann
I choose the West. It seems like LeBron James’ team will never lose the All-Star Game, but he lost last season, ending a five-fight winning streak. So expect a return to the win column.
The MVP will be Luka Doncic. Doncic is having the best 3-point shooting season of his career, and if he can score 73 points in a regular season game, he can also put up some numbers in the All-Star Game.
Michael C. Wright
I choose the West. The Western Conference has more true superstar scorers, including the first two in the league at Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They are flanked by Kevin Durant and LeBron James, with arguably the best and deadliest facilitator in the game, Nikola Jokic. That’s three MVPs in the starting lineup alone.
The MVP will be Luka Doncic. Doncic’s game is a perfect fit for the All-Star stage and this is just his time as he hasn’t won an All-Star Game MVP in his six seasons. The last seven All-Star MVPs are playing in this game. But this time, Doncic wins the hardware.
