Orlando Magic Daily
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Nikola Vucevic’s All-Star bid tied to Orlando Magic’s success

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 30: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on October 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 30: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings on October 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Bradley Center on April 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Giannis Antetokounmpo;Caris LeVert /

The East Starters

Even though All-Star voting has just opened up and there are still plenty of games to play to differentiate some of the elite talented players in the league, the All-Star starters are still fairly easy to predict. It is usually a mix of the elite players and guys who are the most popular.

Most of the time those are the same.

With LeBron James out of the Eastern Conference, it is safe to assume Giannis Antetokounmpo will take on the mantle as the conference’s leading vote-getter. For good reason too, Antetokounmpo has had a fantastic season so far.

The Milwaukee Bucks are out to a 24-10 start to lead the Eastern Conference and Antetokounmpo is an early favorite to win MVP averaging 26.5 points per game, 12.8 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per game on a ridiculous 59.0 percent effective field goal percentage. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shot profile looks like Shaquille O’Neal, except he is a wing player.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

It is also safe to assume Kyrie Irving will get an All-Star nod. Despite once again dealing with some nagging injuries, Irving is extremely popular as a player (he was first last year in All-Star voting among backcourt players. And when Irving has played, he has been very good — 23.3 points and 6.4 assists per game so far this season.

Joel Embiid should be another lock for one of the frontcourt spots in the All-Star starting lineup. His teammate Jimmy Butler might also take the other backcourt spot too. It will be either him or Victor Oladipo.

Butler is averaging 18.8 points per game since his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers while Oladipo has been in and out of the lineup with an injury although still averaging 19.7 points per game.

Kemba Walker should get some hometown consideration for one of the two guard spots too, averaging 25.2 points and 6.2 assists per game. In a perfect world, he would probably get the start alongside Irving. But even if the fans do not get him, the coaches surely would.

That leaves one forward spot remaining. That feels like it will go to Kawhi Leonard. The Toronto Raptors have the best record in the Eastern Conference and Leonard has been extremely good, averaging 26.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

So here are the likely Eastern Conference starters:

G Kyrie Irving
G Jimmy Butler (should be Kemba Walker)
F Giannis Antetokounmpo*
F Joel Embiid (should be Blake Griffin)
F Kawhi Leonard
*Conference captain