As we head into the New Year, the 2020 NBA All-Star Game is quickly approaching, meaning we're taking a different approach to Power Rankings this week.
Vote for 2020 NBA All-Stars here!
We're still ranking each team in the league, but with voting officially open, we'll give you an idea of potential All-Star candidates throughout the league rather than the standard explanation of a team's placement.
Who has the most All-Star candidates? Who has none? Let's get into this week's Power Rankings…
10. Dallas Mavericks
Last week's ranking: 9th
Record: 21-11
Last week: 2-1 (win vs. SAS, win at GSW, loss at LAL)
This week: at OKC, vs. BKN, vs. CHA
All-Star candidate: Luka Doncic
The Mavericks have been impressive as a team but 20-year-old phenom Luka Doncic has really been the only stand-out player that should receive All-Star consideration. And not just All-Star consideration – starter consideration.
Doncic has played at the level of a league MVP, averaging a near-triple-double of 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. He has been the catalyst to Dallas' plesantly surprising start to the season and it would be hard to find two other guards more worthy of the starting spot than Luka.
9. Utah Jazz
Last week's ranking: 12th
Record: 20-12
Last week: 2-1 (loss at MIA, win vs. POR, win at LAC)
This week: vs. DET at CHI, at ORL
All-Star candidates: Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert
There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the Jazz through the first two months of the season but they still own a solid record, and that is mostly in part to their star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
While it's hard to believe they would both be selected to the All-Star game, they both deserve the consideration.
Mitchell has been the engine that makes this team run. He's averaging career-highs with 25.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game and has improved his efficiency, though that is still a work-in-progress. Without his presence and energy, it would be concerning to think about where Utah's season would be at.
As for Gobert, the back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year has yet to be selected to an All-Star Game. While in the past two seasons it's been evident that elite defence doesn't typically get you an All-Star nod, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be considered. His 14-and-14 double-double average with almost two blocks a game makes him a quality choice at the centre position.
8. Toronto Raptors
Last week's ranking: 7th
Record: 22-11
Last week: 1-3 (loss at IND, loss vs. BOS, win at BOS, loss vs. OKC)
This week: vs. CLE, at MIA, at BKN
All-Star candidates: Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet
Despite a recent injury, Pascal Siakam is all but a lock to make his All-Star debut. The fourth-year forward is averaging a career-best 25.1 points per game and has largely thrived in his first year as a No. 1 option.
The question is, will the defending champs get a second All-Star? If so, it will likely come down to one of either Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet, with the former of the two looking to make his sixth-straight All-Star appearance.
As NBA.com's Scott Raffety has noted, there's a case to be made for each guard.
7. Houston Rockets
Last week's ranking: 6th
Record: 22-11
Last week: 2-2 (win at SAC, loss at GSW, win vs. BKN, loss at NOP)
This week: vs. DEN, vs. PHI
All-Star candidates: James Harden and Russell Westbrook
James Harden. Back-to-back scoring champion. League-leading 38.3 points per game. No more need be said, he's in.
The question is whether or not his backcourt mate, Russell Westbrook, will make his sixth consecutive All-Star appearance. It hasn't been the most efficient year for Westbrook but he's still putting up 24.1 points, grabbing 8.1 rebounds and dishing out 7.1 assists on a nightly basis.
Those are All-Star numbers. But there's plenty of backcourt talent in the Western Conference.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Record: 26-7
Last week: 2-1 (loss vs. LAC, win at POR, win vs. DAL)
This week: vs. PHX, vs. NOP, vs. DET
All-Star candidates: LeBron James and Anthony Davis
LeBron James and Anthony Davis arguably have the most star power of any duo in the league.
LeBron is a two-time All-Star captain and all signs point towards the league's assist leader earning that honour for a third straight year. AD is also primed to make his seventh consecutive All-Star appearance as he's posting averages of 27.3 points and 9.3 rebounds and is on pace to shatter his career-best mark of 55 triples in a season – he's already hit 33 through 31 games.
If LeBron is All-Star captain again, will he be able to draft his teammate?
5. Boston Celtics
Last week's ranking: 5th
Record: 22-8
Last week: 2-1 (win at TOR, win vs. CLE, loss vs. TOR)
This week: at CHA, vs. ATL, at CHI
All-Star candidates: Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
It appears that Kemba Walker is headed for his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and potentially his second straight as a starter.
After that, it gets a little interesting.
Most expected a third-year leap from Jayson Tatum, who is averaging career-highs across the board with 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists through 30 games but there has also been a fourth-year leap from Jaylen Brown, who is putting up 20.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists through 27 games.
Could the C's get three All-Stars? Considering each member of this trio averages over 20 points per game and Boston has been one of the East's best teams, it's not far-fetched.
4. LA Clippers
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Record: 23-11
Last week: 1-1 (win at LAL, loss vs. UTA)
This week: at SAC, vs. DET, vs. MEM, vs. NYK
All-Star candidates: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell
While it is unlikely that the Clippers would receive four All-Stars, it would be a bit disrespectful to not at least acknowledge that Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell could potentially be selected.
Each member of bench's dynamic duo is averaging 19.0 points per game, adding a consistent burst of offence for this Western Conference powerhouse.
As for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George – these two will both certainly be All-Stars this season and you could make a decent case that they could both start if not for how loaded the West is with talent.
Leonard is averaging 25.6 points to go with career-highs of 7.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Even though he's missed nine games due to load management, he should still be considered a starter in this year's All-Star Game.
With less of a load to carry, George's numbers have taken a dip from the MVP and DPOY-finalist campaign a season ago but the star wing has still put together an All-Star worthy season. He's constantly making an impact on both ends of the floor and has been vital to the Clippers' success.
3. Denver Nuggets
Last week's ranking: 8th
Record: 23-9
Last week: 3-1 (win at PHX, loss vs. NOP, win vs. MEM, win vs. SAC)
This week: at HOU, at IND, at WAS
All-Star candidate: Nikola Jokic
He was admittedly a bit slow out of the gate this season, but Nikola Jokic has still been a top-tier big man for the Nuggets this season, doing a bit of everything as he leads the team in scoring (18.0 ppg), rebounding (10.0 rpg) and assists (6.8 apg).
After making his All-Star debut last season, the triple-double threat is primed for another appearance.
2. Miami Heat
Last week's ranking: 4th
Record: 24-8
Last week: 3-0 (win vs. UTA, win vs. IND, win vs. PHI)
This week: at WAS, vs. TOR, at ORL, vs. POR
All-Star candidates: Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo
If the Heat have been the surprise team of the year, Bam Adebayo is one of the biggest surprise players this season.
While Jimmy Butler has been the star many expected him to be, Adebayo has developed into a solid No. 2, posting averages of 15.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists through 32 games.
The 22-year-old big man has even recorded two triple-doubles this season.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
Last week's ranking: 1st
Record: 29-5
Last week: 2-1 (loss at PHI, win at ATL, win vs. ORL)
This week: at CHI, vs. MIN, vs. SAS
All-Star candidates: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton
For Giannis, it's not a question of whether or not he will be an All-Star but if the reigning MVP will reprise his role as a captain in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, which also seems like a foregone conclusion.
For the Bucks, it's a question of whether or not they will again get a second All-Star as the league's top team. Last season, Khris Middleton earned the first All-Star selection of his career and could very well earn another based on his averages of 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists through 27 games.
Rest of the NBA
11. Philadelphia 76ers
All-Star candidates: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris
Joel Embiid will be flirting with a starting spot in the All-Star Game while Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris will likely be battling for reserve spots.
Harris has never been an All-Star, which at times might hurt your case. He's enjoying a solid season of 19.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, but it's unlikely the 76ers will get three All-Stars.
Simmons may have the edge being voted as an All-Star for the first time last season, though his numbers on offence have taken a dip this year. He has the edge on defence without a doubt as a possible Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and the star power leans in his favour as well.
MORE: Should Simmons or Harris be the 76ers second All-Star?
With Embiid all but locking up the 76ers first All-Star spot, it comes down to if the fans, players and coaches believe their success should gift them a second All-Star spot. Then a decision between Harris and Simmons will have to be made.
12. Indiana Pacers
All-Star candidates: Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis
The Pacers have had a solid push in the past few weeks and most definitely deserve an All-Star bid. Deciding if that bid should go to Malcolm Brogdon or Domantas Sabonis is where things get difficult.
Sabonis has been one of the best big men in the NBA this season, averaging a double-double of 17.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. His 26 double-doubles on the season puts him tied with Andre Drummond for second-most in the league.
Brogdon has been consistently great for Indiana and could be considered the motor of this team. He's averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game while nearly doubling his career-best in assists at 7.6 per game. He's still been his usual efficient self with splits of 45.2/33.3/93.3 and brings it on both ends of the floor for this team.
Either of these two are more than deserving of their first All-Star appearance.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder
All-Star candidates: Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Not many expected OKC to be competing at the level that it is and a lot of the credit is owed to its backcourt.
CP3 (16.6 ppg, 6.5 apg, 4.8 rpg) continues to prove he has plenty left in the tank while SGA (19.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.8 apg) is having a bigger breakout season than many could have predicted.
14. Brooklyn Nets
All-Star candidate: Spencer Dinwiddie
It looks like the Brooklyn Nets have an All-Star point guard after all, just not the one we expected it to be at the beginning of the season.
While Kyrie Irving has dealt with a lingering issue, Dinwiddie has answered the call and then some, averaging a career-best 22.5 points per game to go along with 6.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds to help keep Brooklyn afloat in the East.
15. San Antonio Spurs
16. Portland Trail Blazers
All-Star candidate: Damian Lillard
After a rough start to the season, the Trail Blazers have catapulted back into the West's playoff picture.
The one constant through it all? Damian Lillard. He's putting up 27.0 points and dishing out 7.0 assists per game and has even dropped a career-best 60 points already. All-Star selection No. 5 for the 29-year-old is sure to follow.
17. Orlando Magic
18. Charlotte Hornets
19. Detroit Pistons
All-Star candidate: Andre Drummond
His 16.0 rebounds per game lead the league. His 1.9 steals per game are good for sixth in the league. His 1.8 blocks per game are right outside the top 10.
Oh, and he's averaging 18.0 points per game.
All-Star numbers from the centre should result in All-Star consideration, even if the team success hasn't been there early on.
20. Sacramento Kings
21. Phoenix Suns
22. Chicago Bulls
23. Cleveland Cavaliers
24. Golden State Warriors
25. New Orleans Pelicans
All-Star candidate: Brandon Ingram
Very few players have made a bigger leap than Ingram this year. He's averaging 25.3 points per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the arc.
He just earned Player of the Week honours and is establishing himself as one of the league's most prolific wings.
26. Memphis Grizzlies
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
All-Star candidate: Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns has been an All-Star in back-to-back seasons and it doesn't seem as though that will change this year. The big man has taken another step forward in his career, averaging 26.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting an extremely efficient 51.4% from the field and 41.8% from deep.
While his team is struggling mightily and he's missed time due to a knee injury, KAT should have no issue making his third All-Star appearance.
28. New York Knicks
29. Washington Wizards
All-Star candidate: Bradley Beal
Washington might be towards the bottom of the league but Bradley Beal is again proving to be one of the league's best 2-guards.
This season, he's been a bright spot for the Wizards, averaging a career-best 27.8 points and 6.7 assists through 30 games. Not only has Beal been an All-Star calibre player, but his performance is also worthy of a starting nod.
30. Atlanta Hawks
All-Star candidate: Trae Young
Although it's tough to make the case due to the lack of team success, Trae Young should be considered as an All-Star starter this season.
He's top-five in the NBA in both points (28.5) and assists (8.3) per game and has done everything he can to help his team win. Young will be an All-Star this season, it just comes down to if he starts or not.
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