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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Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 14: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 14, 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) /

East Reserves

The reserves are obviously where things get interesting when it comes to Nikola Vucevic. If you read through the first slide, you can already see a few of our spots on the reserve team will get easily and obviously filled.

Kemba Walker should be a starter in the All-Star Game with the way he is playing individually. The Charlotte Hornets are leading the Southeast Division, for whatever that is worth. Not like that means a whole lot.

Victor Oladipo has missed some time with injury. But since coming back he has picked up right where he left off at an All-Star level.

This is where things get even trickier. There are two other guards who are deserving of All-Star consideration too. And they very well could take the conference’s two wild-card spots.

Despite the chaos that seems to be ongoing with the Washington Wizards, John Wall has put together a really solid season. He is averaging 20.7 points per game and 8.7 assists per game. That includes his daily assaults on the basket.

Arguably, Bradley Beal has as much of a case for the All-Star Game. In some ways, Beal has surpassed Wall. He is averaging 23.5 points per game and shooting a 53.6 percent effective field goal percentage.

It is hard to see the conference-leading Toronto Raptors with just one All-Star bid. On top of that, Kyle Lowry has continued to put together a solid All-Star-caliber season. Lowry is averaging 14.4 points and 9.8 assists per game. He has taken a step back offensively but still is a major contributor and close to a perennial All-Star.

If the coaches do not want to go with Kyle Lowry, they have a pretty good candidate in Serge Ibaka to choose too. Ibaka has turned in a really strong season, averaging 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Keep an eye on him in this process because he is doing that for a winning team.

Similarly, it is hard to see the Milwaukee Bucks not getting two All-Stars too. Khris Middleton has quietly toiled and played well for several years with little appreciation. He has been the perfect counterpart to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Middleton is averaging 17.4 points per game while shooting 36.9 percent from beyond the arc. His efficiency is the biggest thing holding back his candidacy at the moment.

Outside of Kemba Walker, the biggest potential starter snub would be Blake Griffin. Griffin has continued to put up strong numbers for the Detroit Pistons as they have settled nicely in the middle of the Playoff picture. Griffin is averaging 25.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

He probably should get the starting nod over Joel Embiid and might because of his overall popularity. But he will certainly be on the team.

The other Philadelphia 76ers player who will get some serious consideration is Ben Simmons. Simmons in his second year is putting up video game numbers, averaging 15.9 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game and 8.1 assists per game. Those are numbers that are difficult to ignore.

The Boston Celtics also could get a second All-Star. Jayson Tatum has also matched a strong rookie year, averaging 16.6 points per game with a 52.0 percent effective field goal percentage. He has put together a really strong season for a team that is playing exceptionally well.

Finally, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie has been key to the team’s surge in the standings. He and D’Angelo Russell have formed a strong one-two guard punch. If the Nets are in the Playoff race still, there is a good chance one of these two will get some consideration.

So here are my current Eastern Conference reserves:

G Kemba Walker
G Victor Oladipo
F Blake Griffin
F Ben Simmons
F Bradley Beal
WC John Wall
WC Kyle Lowry

Snubs: Nikola Vucevic, Jayson Tatum, Khris Middleton, Andre Drummond, Spencer Dinwiddie, Serge Ibaka