By Bill Huan | Pounding The Rock (PtR), 2025-01-21 03:00:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
全明星赛还有不到一个月就要开始了，是时候挑选东部全明星球员了。
新年伊始，这意味着有一件事是肯定的：争论为什么他们最喜欢的球员落选全明星。
好消息是，你可以从这里开始！我将列出我认为配得上入选全明星的球员，而不是我预测将会入选的球员。如果这篇文章给你带来了一些启发，请记住明天（1 月 20 日星期一）是投票选出今年全明星的最后一天，所以让以赛亚·科利尔(Isaiah Collier) 为他 41.4% 的真实命中率感到高兴还为时不晚。
言归正传，让我们深入探讨一下东部全明星。你也可以在这里访问西部全明星名单。
首发
后场
贾伦·布伦森(Jalen Brunson): 布伦森的得分数据略有下降（上赛季场均 28.7 分，本赛季 26.0 分），但这更多的是因为他所在球队进攻体系的提升，而不是他个人状态的下滑。他是联盟中接近前十的球员，也是尼克斯队无可争议的领袖，尼克斯队正朝着另一个 50 胜的赛季迈进，布伦森仍然是联盟中最具技巧的后卫之一。
凯德·坎宁安(Cade Cunningham): 与西部的安东尼·爱德华兹类似，第二个后场位置有多个合适的人选。我最终选择凯德是因为活塞队的复兴是联盟历史上最成功的案例之一：他们从上赛季仅赢 14 场比赛到本赛季有望赢得 41 场比赛。凯德终于展现了他成为全能后卫的潜力，他场均得到 24.3 分、6.5 个篮板和 9.4 次助攻，三项命中率分别为 45%、36.8% 和 80.5%，均为职业生涯新高。很难确定谁是活塞队的第二好球员，这使得他的赛季更加令人印象深刻，因为如果没有凯德，他们无疑会再次垫底。
前场
杰森·塔图姆(Jayson Tatum): 塔图姆再一次成为联盟最佳球队之一的最佳球员，这不足为奇。有趣的是，由于杰伦·布朗(Jaylen Brown)本赛季状态下滑，朱·霍勒迪(Jrue Holiday)状态下滑，以及克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯(Kristaps Porzingis)因伤缺阵，他今年不得不承担更大的责任。这反映在他的正负值上，塔图姆的正负值为 +5.1，而上赛季为 -2.0。这位（想成为）“绿曼巴”的球员仍然只有 26 岁（而不是 19 岁），他继续拓展自己的比赛，本赛季他的场均助攻首次超过 5 次。
扬尼斯·阿德托昆博(Giannis Antetokounmpo): 现年 30 岁的希腊怪兽没有丝毫放缓的迹象。事实上，他可以说正处于 MVP 赛季以来的最佳赛季，因为字母哥场均 31.4 分是职业生涯新高。更重要的是，他的投篮选择得到了极大的改善：希腊怪兽终于放弃了成为斯蒂芬·库里的梦想，现在每场比赛的三分出手次数不到一次。字母哥的中距离投篮也取得了进步，他在篮筐和三分线之间的命中率达到了职业生涯最高的 44%（第 61 个百分位）。对于一个如此依赖运动能力的球员来说，很高兴看到他随着年龄的增长而扩大自己的射程。
卡尔-安东尼·唐斯(Karl-Anthony Towns): 唐斯/兰德尔的交易最初看起来是双输，但现在可以肯定地说，纽约是明显的赢家。唐斯可以说是打出了他职业生涯的最佳赛季，他在球场上的每个位置的投篮都非常出色：唐斯的整体命中率为 55%，两分球命中率为 59.3%，三分球命中率为 44.9%，均为职业生涯新高。即使他的防守存在不足，唐斯在进攻端的出色表现仍然使他成为全明星首发和年度最佳阵容的有力竞争者。
替补
后场
多诺万·米切尔(Donovan Mitchell) 和 达柳斯·加兰(Darius Garland): 考虑到他们本赛季的相似之处，将这两人分开似乎并不合适。许多人可能会投票给米切尔作为首发后卫与布伦森搭档，但我不确定他是否比两位骑士后卫中的任何一位都更好。
米切尔的得分略高（23.1 分 vs 21.2 分）并且抢到更多篮板（4.5 vs 2.5），但加兰承担了更大的组织进攻角色（6.8 次助攻 vs 4.5 次），同时拥有更高的命中率（49.9/42.4/90.7 vs 44.6/40.1/82.6）。米切尔无疑仍然是球队的领袖，他在进攻端令人钦佩地做出了让步（他场均 18.2 次出手是自新秀赛季以来的最低值），但这自然也提升了加兰的数据，加兰的 EPM 排名第 12 位，也高于米切尔的第 23 位。
简而言之，米切尔应该因为分担了进攻压力而受到赞扬，他也因此在防守端取得了很大的进步。但正因为如此，加兰也打出了同样令人印象深刻的赛季，这就是为什么他们都成为替补而不是首发的原因。
前场
埃文·莫布里(Evan Mobley) 和 贾莱特·阿伦(Jarrett Allen): 我预料到骑士队将有三名全明星，但令人惊讶的是，他们的四巨头最终都入选了。
莫布里是板上钉钉的全明星。他的情况与小杰伦·杰克逊相似，因为他们都是年度最佳防守球员的候选人（仅次于文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)），同时在进攻端也取得了巨大的进步。莫布里增加的力量使他成为一个更具威胁的突破手，肯尼·阿特金森也给予他更多持球的任务作为奖励。此外，这位 23 岁的球员现在场均出手 2.8 次三分球，命中率为 42.1%，迫使防守球员尊重他的三分球。在一个可能取得 70 胜的赛季中，莫布里的进攻发展一直是克利夫兰成功的最重要部分。
阿伦的情况不那么突出，但他仍然是一位值得入选全明星的球员。阿伦仍然是一名精英防守球员，同时也是进攻端效率最高的球员之一：阿伦 70.9% 的投篮命中率和 73% 的真实命中率都位列联盟最佳之列。即便如此，我还是需要说明，阿伦的入选部分是由于今年东部缺乏优秀的前场球员——这与西部的情况正好相反。我预计第二位凯尔特人球员将填补一个替补前场位置，但波尔津吉斯缺席了太多比赛，而布朗本赛季状态不佳。不过，如果说哪支球队配得上拥有四名全明星，那就是那支在赛季中期仍然保持着 70 胜步伐的球队。
弗朗茨·瓦格纳(Franz Wagner): 即使因为斜肌拉伤缺席了六周，弗朗茨仍然是一位当之无愧的首次入选全明星的球员。魔术队在他和保罗·班切罗(Paolo Banchero)缺席的比赛中取得了 13 胜 7 负的战绩，他场均 24.4 分、5.6 个篮板和 5.7 次助攻均为职业生涯新高。更重要的是，弗朗茨本赛季的正负值为 +15.1，坦率地说，当他和保罗都缺阵时，奥兰多看起来很迷茫。他还将在相对较短的时间内复出，所以他缺席的时间也不会成为太大的问题。
外卡
泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿(Tyrese Haliburton): 由于挥之不去的伤病，哈利伯顿的表现断断续续已经有一年了，但他的下滑被严重夸大了。他仍然场均得到 17.9 分和 8.8 次助攻，真实命中率为 58.6%，并带领步行者队成为东部第五号种子。哈利伯顿经常因为缺乏侵略性而受到批评，但印第安纳的进攻在他上场时仍然提高了 6.8 分。此外，EPM 将他排在本赛季的第 15 位，这进一步证明了即使数据看起来令人失望，他仍然是一名精英球员。
特雷·杨(Trae Young): 特雷的得分有所下降（本赛季场均 23.2 分，上赛季 25.7 分），但他正以场均 11.8 次助攻的数据创造历史级别的组织进攻数据。他的正负值为 +7.7，亚特兰大的进攻在他上场时每百回合提高 8.6 分。作为一支许多人预计会无缘附加赛的球队的老鹰队的领袖，他帮助亚特兰大取得了超出预期的成绩，有望取得 44 胜，同时还在争夺季后赛席位，他应该为此得到赞扬。
荣誉提名
达米安·利拉德(Damian Lillard)，泰勒·希罗(Tyler Herro)，杰伦·布朗，拉梅洛·鲍尔(LaMelo Ball)。
点击查看原文：2025 NBA Eastern Conference All-Star picks: who deserves to make the 12-man team?
2025 NBA Eastern Conference All-Star picks: who deserves to make the 12-man team?
The All-Star game is less than a month away, so it’s time to select players for the Eastern Conference.
It’s the new year, and that means one thing: getting into arguments as to why their favorite player was snubbed as an All-Star.
Well, the good news is that you can start here! I’ll list the players who I believe are deserving of making the team, instead of picking who I think will make it. If this article gives you some inspiration, please remember that tomorrow (Monday the 20th) is the last day to vote for this year’s All-Stars, so it’s not too late to make Isaiah Collier feel good about his 41.4% true shooting percentage.
Jokes aside, let’s dive into the Eastern Conference All-Stars. You can also access the list for the West here.
Starters
Backcourt
Jalen Brunson: Brunson’s scoring numbers are down slightly (28.7ppg last year to 26.0 this season), but that’s more of a product of his improved offensive ecosystem rather than any drop-off in play. He’s a borderline top-10 player in the league and the unquestioned leader of a Knicks team on pace for another 50-win season, and Brunson remains one of the craftiest guards in the league.
Cade Cunningham: Similar to Anthony Edwards in the West, the second backcourt spot featured multiple suitable candidates. I decided to go with Cade ultimately since the Pistons’ turnaround is one of the best in league history: they went from winning just 14 games last year to being on pace for 41 this season. Cade’s finally reaching his potential of being an all-around guard, as he’s averaging 24.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 9.4 assists on 45/36.8/80.5 splits, which are all career highs. That it’s difficult to pick who Detroit’s second-best player makes his season even more impressive, as they’d undoubtedly be in the basement again without Cade.
Frontcourt
Jayson Tatum: Ho hum, Tatum is once again the best player on one of the league’s best teams. Interestingly, he’s had to carry a larger load this year due to Jaylen Brown having a down season, Jrue Holiday declining, and Kristaps Porzingis being in and out of the lineup because of injuries. That’s reflected in his on/off, as Tatum sports a +5.1 when he was a -2.0 last season. Still just 19 26, the (wannabe) Green Mamba continues to expand his game, as he’s crossed the 5 assists per game mark for the first time in his career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Now 30, the Greek Freak shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s arguably having his best season since his MVP days, as Giannis’ 31.4 points per game is a career-high. More importantly, his shot selection has improved immensely: the Freak has finally given up on his dreams of being Steph and is now attempting less than a single three per game. Giannis’ mid-range has taken a jump too, as he’s making a career-high 44% (61st percentile) between the rim and the three-point line. For someone who relies so heavily on their athleticism, it’s nice to see him expand his range as he continues to age.
Karl-Anthony Towns: The Towns/Randle trade seemed like a lose-lose at first, but it’s now safe to say that New York is the clear winner. Big Purr is having arguably his best season by shooting lights out from everywhere on the floor: KAT is making 55% of his overall shots, 59.3% of his twos, and 44.9% from deep, which are all career highs. Even with his defensive struggles, KAT’s offensive brilliance still makes him a slam-dunk All-Star starter and All-NBA candidate, too.
Reserves
Backcourt
Donovan Mitchell & Darius Garland: It didn’t seem right to separate these two given how similar their seasons have been. Many will likely vote Mitchell in as a starting guard alongside Brunson, but I’m not sure if he’s even been the better of the two Cavs guards.
Mitchell is scoring slightly more (23.1ppg vs 21.2) and grabbing more rebounds (4.5 vs 2.5), but Garland has shouldered a much larger playmaking role (6.8 assists vs 4.5) while having much better percentages (49.9/42.4/90.7 vs 44.6/40.1/82.6). Mitchell is unquestionably still the lead dog, and he’s admirably taken a backseat offensively (his 18.2 field goal attempts is the lowest since his rookie season), but that has naturally boosted Garland’s numbers, whose EPM rank of 12th is also higher than Mitchell’s at 23.
Simply put, Mitchell should be given credit for sharing the load, and he’s improved a lot defensively because of it, too. But because of that, Garland’s having an equally impressive season, which is why they both make the reserves instead of starting.
Frontcourt
Evan Mobley & Jarrett Allen: I anticipated that the Cavs would have three All-Stars, but surprisingly, every member of their Big Four ended up making it.
Mobley’s a shoo-in. His case is similar to Jaren Jackson Jr’s, as they’re both candidates to be DPOY finalists (behind Wemby) while also improving drastically on offense. Mobley’s added strength has made him more lethal as a driver, and Kenny Atkinson has rewarded him by giving him more ballhandling duties. Moreover, the 23-year-old is now shooting 42.1% from deep on 2.8 attempts per game, forcing defenses to respect him from three. In the midst of a potential 70-win season, Mobley’s offensive development has been the most important part of Cleveland’s success.
Allen’s case is less strong, but he’s still a worthy All-Star. The Fro remains an elite defensive force while being one of the most efficient players on offense: both Allen’s 70.9% field goal and 73% true shooting rank among the best marks league-wide. Even so, I need to mention that Allen’s inclusion is partly due to the East having poor frontcourt candidates this year — the opposite problem when compared to the West. I expected a second Celtic to fill one of the reserve frontcourt spots but Porzingis has missed too many games and Brown is having a down season. Still, if any team is worthy of having four All-Stars, it’s the one that’s still on pace for 70 wins halfway through the season.
Franz Wagner: Even after missing six weeks due to an oblique strain, Franz is a deserving first-time All-Star. The Magic went 13-7 in the games he played without Paolo, and his averages of 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists are all career highs. More importantly, Franz has an on/off of +15.1 this season, and Orlando has frankly looked lost when both he and Paolo have been out. It also helps that he’ll be back relatively soon, so the time he missed will be less of a concern, too.
Wildcards
Tyrese Haliburton: Hali’s play has been sporadic for a year now due to lingering injuries, but his demise has been greatly exaggerated. He’s still averaging 17.9 points and 8.8 assists on 58.6% true shooting and leading a Pacers team that’s now the fifth seed in the East. Hali’s often been criticized for seemingly lacking aggression, but Indiana’s offense still improves by 6.8 points with him on the court. Moreover, EPM has him ranked 15th for this season, which is further proof that he’s still been an elite player even if the box scores seem disappointing.
Trae Young: Trae’s scoring is down (23.2ppg this year vs 25.7 last season), but he’s putting up historic playmaking numbers by averaging 11.8 assists per game. He has an on/off split of +7.7, and Atlanta’s offense is 8.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. As the leader of a Hawks team many expected to miss the play-in, he deserves credit for helping Atlanta exceed expectations by pacing for 44 wins while also being in the playoff hunt.
Honorable mentions
Damian Lillard, Tyler Herro, Jaylen Brown, LaMelo Ball.
By Bill Huan, via Pounding The Rock