Washington Wizards writers draft the 2020 All-Star Game

The reserves were announced on Thursday night. Here they are:

East

Jimmy Butler (Fifth selection, 2015–2018, 2020)
Bam Adebayo (First selection)
Ben Simmons (Second selection, 2019, 2020)
Khris Middleton (Second selection, 2019, 2020)
Kyle Lowry (Sixth selection, 2015–2020)
Domantas Sabonis (First selection)
Jayson Tatum (First selection)

West

Nikola Jokić (Second selection, 2019, 2020)
Damian Lillard (Fifth selection, 2014, 2015, 2018–2020)
Rudy Gobert (First selection)
Brandon Ingram (First selection)
Chris Paul (Tenth selection, 2008–2016, 2020)
Donovan Mitchell (First selection)
Russell Westbrook (Ninth selection, 2011–2013, 2015–2020)

We switched up the order for the reserves, so Keith picked first.

Pick #6

Team Keith : Damian Lillard (Fifth selection, 2014, 2015, 2018–2020)

Keith: Jimmy Butler would have been the obvious choice here, I feel, but I just can’t pass up the incredible finishing ability of Dame. If I had to identify one of my starting positions as the “weakest,” it would probably be the point guard position.

And when I’m going up against LBJ, I’ll need someone to combat that excellent court vision. Lillard fulfills exactly what I need, giving me a scoring punch as my 6th man.

Team Jack: Jimmy Butler (Fifth selection, 2015–2018, 2020)

Jack: Butler was another choice for me that fit the “do it all” ideology I am using. I have been all in on the Butler-led Heat and Jimmy has been better than advertised in Miami.

Still averaging 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists Butler has shown that he can do whatever is needed. He has done a nice job of deferring to his teammates when they get hot which just adds to the reasons I selected him. Butler will be able to do all the necessary things needed to win in this all-star game.

Pick #7

Team Keith : Bam Adebayo (First selection)

Keith: I nearly selected Bam the round before, but figured if I skipped Jimmy Buckets I may be able to loop back around and snag him. Savvy, I know.

Bam has been on my radar since college and I’m so happy to see him blossom into a force on the NBA court, scoring nearly twice as many points as last season and shooting 58.9 percent from the field. I’ll take his shade over one block per game too, thank you very much.

Team Jack: Donovan Mitchell (First selection)

Jack: Might be surprise number 1 depending on how you look at things. I really wanted Bam to play behind Joel, but oh well.

Donovan is a lethal scorer with the ball in his hands and will be able to attack you from any level on the court. He is full throttle and gives us a little extra punch in the scoring department. Having a career season in Utah where he is shooting a career high 36 percent from three will be the much-needed scoring off the bench that this squad will need.

Pick #8

Team Keith : Brandon Ingram (First selection)

Keith: Another guy that I’m happy to see doing well this season. He has to be proud of his first all-star appearance, as he’s having a career year in every statistical category. His biggest jump has been in the free throw department, hitting 85.6 percent of his shots from the line.

His previous career high from the stripe? 68.1 percent.

Ingram’s wingspan at 6’7″ is insane, so I’m expecting big things from this young man in his career, and in this game.

Team Jack: Domantas Sabonis (First selection)

Jack: Rebounding was the name of the game for this pick. A rebounding machine, averaging almost 13 of those this year, Sabonis added some much-needed size. With his ability to rebound and shoot in the midrange, Sabonis will be a good addition in the pick and roll no matter who is playing the point.

Could have went a few other directions with this pick, but in an attempt to counter the length of Brandon Ingram I liked getting the Pacers power forward.