You know the deal: All-Star power rankings. Which players are clear-cut? Which ones perhaps have a little more to prove? Divided among the tiers below are the players I evaluate as worthy of All-Star consideration. Let’s do it.

Tier 1

These players are undoubtedly performing at an All-Star level or higher. The gaps in play quality in this tier are the highest of any succeeding tier.

• • Giannis Antetokounmpo (East)
  • Devin Booker (West)
  • Jimmy Butler (East)
  • Stephen Curry (West)
  • Anthony Davis (West)
  • Luka Doncic (West)
  • Kevin Durant (East)
  • Joel Embiid (East)
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (West)
  • Tyrese Haliburton (East)
  • James Harden (East)
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (West)
  • Nikola Jokic (West)
  • Damian Lillard (West)
  • Donovan Mitchell (East)
  • Ja Morant (West)
  • Domantas Sabonis (West)
  • Pascal Siakam (East)
  • Jayson Tatum (East)
  • Karl-Anthony Towns (West)
  • Zion Williamson (West)

Tier 2

Either because of talent-scaling (the league is more top-heavy than ever), a higher margin of error associated with an All-Star level of play, or general uncertainty about their game, these players are “doubtedly” All-Stars.

• • Bam Adebayo (East)
  • Jarrett Allen (East)
  • Desmond Bane (West)
  • Jaylen Brown (East)
  • DeMar DeRozan (East)
  • De’Aaron Fox (West)
  • Darius Garland (East)
  • Paul George (West)
  • Rudy Gobert (West)
  • Jrue Holiday (East)
  • Brandon Ingram (West)
  • Kyrie Irving (East)
  • LeBron James (West)
  • Brook Lopez (East)
  • Lauri Markkanen (West)
  • Myles Turner (East)
  • Trae Young (East)

The Ballot

You know the rules: 5 starters (2 frontcourt, 3 backcourt); 5 reserves (2 frontcourt, 3 backcourt); and 2 wild cards (position negligible). Rosters for both the Eastern and Western Conference.

East

• • James Harden
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Kevin Durant
  • Joel Embiid
  • Darius Garland
  • Tyrese Haliburton
  • Jimmy Butler
  • Pascal Siakam
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Jrue Holiday

West

• • Stephen Curry
  • Luka Doncic
  • Anthony Davis
  • Nikola Jokic
  • Zion Williamson
  • Damian Lillard
  • Ja Morant
  • Jaren Jackson Jr.
  • Domantas Sabonis
  • Karl-Anthony Towns
  • Devin Booker
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thoughts

I’m fairly pleased with how this ballot turned out. The East wild cards were the most difficult to land on (the player pool was the entire second tier), but it’s about time I showed Jaylen Brown some All-Star love. I’m perfectly happy with the West, save for a slight discomfort caused by the strength of the conference’s guards. Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being wild cards feels unnatural.