OKC Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong All-Star case faces uphill battle

West Reserves:

The West is less contentious in terms of the coach reserve selection and who I would pick with of course one perhaps biased glaring omission.

Presumed Coach Selections:

Backcourt: Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell
Frontcourt: Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson Rudy Gobert (Paul George as injury replacement)
Wild Cards: Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan

My Reserve Picks:

Backcourt: Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell
Frontcourt: Anthony Davis, Brandon Ingram, Rudy Gobert
Wild Cards: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Paul

My best guess is the two backcourt positions will go to Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell with the frontcourt spots going to Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, and Rudy Gobert.

I have a feeling Paul George makes the cut perhaps as the Davis injury replacement. Like Christian Wood, I removed Mike Conley from consideration although it wouldn’t be inconceivable for him to get rewarded after years of snubs and because of the Jazz record. Likewise, CJ McCollum misses the cut due to his injury absence.

As for the two wild-card spots, I believe Chris Paul is essentially a lock. That leaves one more spot and although SGA has the numbers and efficiency to warrant the selection my gut says DeRozan (or Conley) gets the final spot.