Our writers agree that Tyrese Haliburton deserves an All-Star starting nod for the East in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
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Who are your Western Conference All-Star starters?
Who are your Eastern Conference All-Star starters?
Rear area
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Front area
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
It is now allowed to type “Haliburton” and “All-Star” in the same sentence without mentioning Wally Szczerbiak. Young has plenty of criticism and Atlanta’s WL is underwater, but the dual-threat guard’s skills and numbers are the stuff of All-Star Games.
Not only is Embiid the reigning MVP for Kia, but he’s also having a better season than he was a year ago. Speaking of MVP, imagine this year’s Bucks without Antetokounmpo (gulp). Finally, the best player on the best team is a must to be in Indianapolis and, remember, Tatum was MVP of the All-Star Game last year in Salt Lake City. — Steve Aschburner
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- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Front area
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Four of the five picks were easy: Haliburton’s star continues to rise alongside his league-high assist average. Embiid is on track for his third straight title and can’t help but go 30/10. Antetokounmpo is the only other player averaging 30/10 while also shooting a career-high 61%. Tatum is a best striker and the best player on the best team in the league.
The second guard choice is where things got complicated. There’s Tyrese Maxey, Trae Young, Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell. Brunson goes from an All-Star snub in 2023 to an All-Star starter in 2024. Brunson is averaging career highs in scoring (25.7 points per game) and 3-point percentage (43.2 %), which ranks him fourth among the best. volume shooters (min. 200 3PA). — Brian Martin
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- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Front area
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This has been, for me, and should be for voters, a relatively simple thought process. Four players are undisputed slam dunks: Haliburton, Embiid, Tatum and Antetokounmpo. Haliburton is having a breakout season, Embiid has a solid MVP following, Tatum and Giannis are having All-NBA First Team type seasons. And so…Mitchell? Solid certainly, but just slightly better than Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey and Damian Lillard. That’s your choice. — Shaun Powell
Rear area
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Front area
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The frontcourt and Haliburton picks were easy, especially with the Haliburton Pacers recovering from their post-season tournament hangover to win their last five matches (including four on good teams). That second spot in the backcourt was tough. Six guys deserve serious consideration, and it’ll be hard for conference coaches to say that one or two of them aren’t All-Stars at all.
Tyrese Maxey edges out Jalen Brunson on this ballot because he has been slightly more effective and his team has had much more success with him on the field. Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Derrick White will also be considered when the actual vote comes. — John Schumann
Rear area
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Front area
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
The omission here is New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who was snubbed last season and is currently producing an even better 2023-24 campaign. Averaging a career-high 25.6 points, Brunson will make his first All-Star appearance in February, and there’s a good case to be made for him as a starter.
Frontcourt starters are easier picks, as they all play for teams near the top of the East standings. Embiid, Kia’s reigning MVP, has scored 30-plus points in 15 straight games. Antetokounmpo has accumulated 25 double-doubles and scored more than 30 points in four of his last five games. Tatum, the best player on the East’s best team, is expected to head to his fifth straight All-Star Game and second straight start. — Michael C. Wright
