Who Earned It, Who Didn’t, and What the Votes Are Really Saying
All-Star voting isn’t just popularity anymore, it’s a real-time snapshot of dominance, decline, narrative, and belief. Some rankings feel obvious. Others expose uncomfortable truths fans don’t want to admit.
Let’s break down every major vote-getter, rate them, and explain why they’re here, or why they shouldn’t be.
Western Conference All-Star Starters:
SF: Luka Doncic — Rating: 10/10
There is NO Surprise that Luka Doncic, the NBA Scoring Leader, leads the NBA in voting in the 2nd ballot. Luka’s 33.7 PPG is the most by a Laker since Kobe in 2007, while still leading Los Angeles to a 23-11 record. This is all not even mentioning the 8.1 RPG, 8.7 APG and 1.5 SPG he contributes to LA.
With over 2.23 Million votes and counting, the Los Angeles superstar continues to break the charts, stats and some ankles along the way.
C: Nikola Jokic — Rating: 9.8/10
Desipite a mild knee injury (4-6 Weeks), Nikola Jokic is still one of the NBA’s top stars, averaging an insane 29.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG and 11 APG, all top 5 in the league (He LEADS the NBA in Rebounds and Assists…), all while Denver is 4th in the West with a 24-12 record, 2 Million votes for the 3x MVP is starting to look a bit small.
PG: Stephen Curry — Rating: 9.4/10
At 37 years old, Curry pulling 1.85M votes is absurd. The numbers may fluctuate, but his gravity never does. Entire defensive schemes still exist solely to stop him from moving freely. He’s no longer chasing volume scoring — he’s dictating geometry. Legacy plus relevance equals sustained superstardom.
At 37 years old, seeing Steph Curry this high on the voting shocked me, but then I realised that it is Steph we are talking about. The Warriors superstar pulled in 1.85 Million votes, and the numbers back it up: 28.7 PPG, 4.4 APG, 3.9 RPG and 1.3 SPG shooting 39.2% from 3 and leading the NBA in 3 Point attempts and makes per game. If Golden State (19-18, 8th in the West) were better, maybe he would be higher.
SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Rating: 9.1/10
The reigning Champion, MVP, Finals MVP and scoring champion Shai Gilgeous Alexander comes in at 4th with 1.55 Million votes. Despite his best efforts, contributing 31.6 PPG (2nd in the NBA), 6.4 APG and 1.4 SPG, the hot 24-1 Thunder has fallen off to 30-7 since their December 14th Loss Vs San Antonio in the NBA Cup Finals 109-111, hurting his reputation and dropping him down to 4th in the rankings.
PF: Victor Wembanyama — Rating: 9.3/10
He might be in his 3rd season, but Wemby has already PROVEN himself as one of the NBA’s elite. 24.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG (Both Career Highs), to go along with 0.8 SPG and 2.8 BPG, his defensive impact has dropped of, only because of his 14 missed games this season, all of these stats in 22 games while San Antonio is 2nd in the West is a proof of a dynasty forming once again for the Spurs.
6th Man: Anthony Edwards — Rating: 8.8/10
Ant’s 1.2M votes reflect belief in what’s coming. Explosive scoring, improved shot selection, and rising leadership have made him Minnesota’s heartbeat. The consistency isn’t fully there yet, but when he’s locked in, few wings in the league feel more unstoppable.
Minnesota is 24-13, 6th in the West, and this is ALL because of Anthony Edwards, who is averaging a career high 29.3 PPG, and is looking like the superstar we all know he is. With 1.2 Million votes, all the hype, drama and love seems to be true and we have a true face of the NBA on our hands.
The Next 5:
Deni Avdija — Rating: 9.0/10 (1.2 Million Votes)
LeBron James — Rating: 7.6/10 (1.1 Million Votes)
Kevin Durant — Rating: 8.6/10 (997,000 Votes)
Alperen Şengün — Rating: 9.2/10 (871,000 Votes)
Austin Reaves — Rating: 8.9/10 (718,000 Votes).
Eastern Conference All-Star Starters:
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo — Rating: 9.9/10
Once again, Giannis leads the East with 2.1 Million votes. 29.3 PPG, 10 RPG, 5.5 APG, and a career-high 39.3% from three. Although the Bucks are having a down year (16-20 record, 11th in the East), Giannis as an individual is still one of the elite.
PG: Jalen Brunson — Rating: 9.7/10
1.91M votes, 29.2 PPG, and the heartbeat of New York. Brunson’s clutch scoring and leadership have elevated him into MVP conversations. If All-Star MVP voting opened today, he’d be a favorite.
Tyrese Maxey — Rating: 9.6/10
31 PPG, top 5 in the NBA, and 1.9M votes. With Embiid declining, Maxey has carried Philadelphia’s relevance entirely on his shoulders. Speed, confidence, shot creation, this is a superstar leap.
Cade Cunningham — Rating: 9.5/10
The most shocking stat: Cade has never been an All-Star. 26.7 PPG, 9.7 APG, 6.2 RPG, 1.6 steals, all career highs. He’s doing everything. The recognition is finally catching up.
Donovan Mitchell — Rating: 9.3/10
29.8 PPG, 1.53M votes, and Cleveland’s offensive engine. Consistency, explosiveness, and efficiency define his season. No drama, just production.
Jaylen Brown — Rating: 9.1/10
With Tatum out, Brown has stepped up: 29.6 PPG for the 2nd-seed Celtics. Shot creation improved, leadership demanded, and delivered.
The Next 5:
Karl-Anthony Towns — Rating: 8.7/10 (898,000 Votes)
Jalen Johnson — Rating: 9.2/10 (525,000 Votes)
Scottie Barnes — Rating: 8.6/10 (450,000 Votes)
LaMelo Ball — Rating: 8.4/10 (260,000 Votes)
Mikal Bridges — Rating: 8.3/10 (225,000 Votes)
