Our writers agree that Tyrese Haliburton is deserving of an All-Star starting nod for the East in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
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Who are your All-Star starters from the Western Conference?
Who are your All-Star starters from the Eastern Conference?
Backcourt
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Frontcourt
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
It’s permissible now to type “Haliburton” and “All-Star” in the same sentence without mentioning Wally Szczerbiak. Young has plenty of critics and Atlanta’s W-L is underwater, but the double-threat guard’s skills and numbers are what All-Star Games are about.
Embiid not only is the reigning Kia MVP, but he is also having a better season than a year ago. Speaking of MVPs, imagine this year’s Bucks without Antetokounmpo (gulp). Finally, the best player on the best team is a shoo-in to be in Indianapolis and, remember, Tatum was All-Star Game MVP last year in Salt Lake City. — Steve Aschburner
Backcourt
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Frontcourt
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Four of the five choices were easy: Haliburton’s star continues to rise alongside his league-high assist average. Embiid is on pace for his third straight scoring title and can’t stop posting 30/10s. Antetokounmpo is the only other player averaging 30/10 while also shooting a career-high 61%. Tatum is a top-10 scorer and the best player on the league’s best team.
The second guard choice is where things got tough. There’s Tyrese Maxey, Trae Young, Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell. I’ve got Brunson going from an All-Star snub in 2023 to an All-Star starter in 2024. Brunson is averaging career bests in scoring (25.7 ppg) and 3-point percentage (43.2%), which ranks fourth among high-volume shooters (min. 200 3PA). — Brian Martin
Backcourt
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Frontcourt
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This was, for me, and should be for voters, a relatively sweat-free thought process. Four players are uncontested slam dunks: Haliburton, Embiid, Tatum and Antetokounmpo. Haliburton is having a breakout season, Embiid has a strong MVP follow-up, Tatum and Giannis have All-NBA First Team-like seasons. And so … Mitchell? Solid for sure, but just slightly better than Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey and Damian Lillard. There’s your pick-‘em. — Shaun Powell
Backcourt
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Frontcourt
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The frontcourt and Haliburton picks were easy, especially with Haliburton’s Pacers recovering from their post-In-Season-Tournament hangover to win their last five games (four of them over good teams). That second backcourt spot was tough. Six guys deserve serious consideration, and it will be hard for the conference’s coaches to say that one or two of them isn’t an All-Star at all.
Tyrese Maxey edges out Jalen Brunson on this ballot because he’s been slightly more efficient and his team has had a lot more success with him on the floor. Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Derrick White will also be under consideration when it’s time to make the real vote. — John Schuhmann
Backcourt
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Frontcourt
- 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 case to be made for him as a starter.
The frontcourt starters are easier choices with all of them starring for teams near the top of the East standings. Reigning Kia MVP Embiid has scored 30-plus points in 15 straight games. Antetokounmpo has racked up 25 double-doubles and has scored 30-plus points in four of his last five games. Tatum, the best player on the East’s top team, should be headed to his fifth straight All-Star Game and second consecutive starting nod. — Michael C. Wright
