NBA All-Star Starters: Surprises, Snubs, and MVP Picks

The 2025 NBA All-Star starters are set! LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant headline the West starters, while Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the East. But who was the biggest surprise? Which player got snubbed? And who will win the MVP? Our NBA insiders break it down.

Biggest Surprise

The biggest surprise of the starters was the inclusion of Victor Wembanyama. The 20-year-old center is having a phenomenal season, averaging 24.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3.8 assists per game. He is the clear frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award and is already one of the best players in the league. However, many expected him to be a reserve, not a starter. Wembanyama's selection is a testament to his talent and the impact he has had on the San Antonio Spurs this season.

Biggest Snub

The biggest snub of the starters was LaMelo Ball. The 23-year-old point guard is having a career year, averaging 29 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He is the leading scorer in the NBA and is having a huge impact on the Charlotte Hornets this season. However, he finished seventh in the media vote, behind both Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell. Ball's snub is a bit of a head-scratcher, as he has been one of the best players in the league this season.

Early MVP Picks

Now that the starters have been announced, it's time to make our early MVP picks. Here are our top five candidates:

Stephen Curry - The Golden State Warriors point guard is having a bounce-back season after missing most of last year with an injury. He is averaging 29.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game and is shooting 43.8% from three-point range. Curry is the heart and soul of the Warriors and is always a threat to go off for 40 points on any given night.
LeBron James - The Los Angeles Lakers forward is in his 21st season and shows no signs of slowing down. He is averaging 27.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game and is shooting 51.2% from the field. James is the most decorated player in NBA history and is still one of the best players in the world. He will be looking to add another MVP award to his trophy case this season.
Nikola Jokic - The Denver Nuggets center is having another MVP-caliber season. He is averaging 26.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game and is shooting 57.5% from the field. Jokic is the reigning MVP and is the engine that makes the Nuggets go. He is a matchup nightmare for any team and is always a threat to put up a triple-double.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - The Milwaukee Bucks forward is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. He is averaging 31.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game and is shooting 53.8% from the field. Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP and is the leader of the Bucks. He is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court and is always a threat to take over a game.
Kevin Durant - The Phoenix Suns forward is having a great season despite some injury issues. He is averaging 28.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game and is shooting 50.8% from the field. Durant is a 13-time All-Star and one of the best scorers in the NBA. He is a proven winner and will be looking to add another championship to his resume this season.

Conclusion

The 2025 NBA All-Star starters are a talented group of players. There were some surprises and snubs, but overall, the starters are a good representation of the best players in the league. The All-Star reserves will be announced on January 30th and the draft will take place on February 6th. Stay tuned for more All-Star coverage leading up to the game on February 14th.