2023 All-Stars

Since the NBA added a play-in tournament (which is ok but the bubble rules need to come back), it should have no issue expanding the all-star rosters from 12 to 15 so the lineups can be divided into 5 which is the # of players allowed on the court for each team. As of today, there are 42 qualified players averaging at least 20 points which would be a record if the season ended like this. That's part of the big picture which is how talented the league has become; and another reason why the teams should expand.

I like to pretend that I have an official ballot (the NBA interests me, I have the time, and it doesn't hurt me) so I balance offensive production/talent (explained at the end), responsibility for their team’s success (depending on how much success), and everything else (rebounding/defense). This list is based off everything before jan 21 (also explained in the comments). Everyone you'll see played at least 30 games prior to jan 21. The positions are determined by common sense (ex: Luka is a guard on the official ballot but he's 6'7 so I can put him as a frontcourt player with no guilt).

BC: Backcourt

FC: Frontcourt

WC: Wild Card

Lock: there isn't a good enough reason imo why he shouldn't be on the real roster

West Starters

BC - Morant (Grizzlies) (Lock)

BC - Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) (Lock)

FC - Doncic (Mavs) (Lock)

FC - James (Lakers) (Lock)

FC - Jokic (Nuggets) (Lock)

Bench

BC - Lillard (Blazers) (Lock)

BC - Curry (Warriors) (Lock)

FC - George (Clippers)

FC - Markkanen (Jazz)

FC - Sabonis (Kings) (Lock)

WC - Fox (Kings) (Lock)

WC- Edwards (Wolves)

East Starters

BC - Mitchell (Cavs) (Lock)

BC - Irving (Nets) (Lock)

FC - Tatum (Celtics) (Lock)

FC - Antetokounmpo (Bucks) (Lock)

FC - Embiid (76ers) (Lock) (MVP as of now)

Bench

BC - Young (Hawks) (Lock)

BC - Harden (76ers)

FC - Brown (Celtics) (Lock)

FC - Siakam (Raptors)

FC - Durant (Nets) (Lock)

WC - Garland (Cavs)

WC - Holiday (Bucks)

The most important skill in basketball by far is being able to score in isolation (off the dribble, posting up, or the face up jumper) at an all-star level. (To a bit of a lesser extent, taking advantage of mismatches by scoring in drop coverage in the pick n' roll is also a valuable shot creation tool). There are other important skills but this is the only one that if a player has, can make a team with a relatively weak supporting cast much better than it actually is (a perfect example: '01 Iverson). If a player doesn't have this skill, they simply aren't an all-star caliber hooper (someone like Klay in his prime, an efficient 20 points and great 3 point shooting, is the rare exception).

The starters are decided by the players, fans, and media. Also, fans can’t vote after jan 21 and the starting lineup was announced on jan 26. So it’s reasonable to assume it’ll take a few days to calculate the votes and therefore assume that everyone else who got to vote for the starters also had to meet the jan 21 deadline. Though the reserves (voted by the coaches) will be announced feb 2, it doesn’t make sense for them to have more time to prove themselves than the starters. Regardless of whether this logic was applied, my list isn’t based off anything past jan 21.