3 Celtics-centric All-Star Game storylines to follow as voting ramps up

Will Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum earn a starting nod?

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum swarm Joel Embiid. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

January 30, 2021

3 minutes to read

Last year, the ongoing debate was whether Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown or both rising stars would get to play in their first NBA All-Star Game.

Tatum ultimately got the well-deserved nod, however many felt as though Brown was snubbed. This year, with Tatum continuing his upward ascension, and Brown taking a significant leap, it would be surprising if they weren’t both on the Eastern Conference roster. The question now becomes if either or both will be named a starter for the first time.

Here are three Celtics storylines to follow in the coming weeks before the starters are announced Thursday, Feb. 18, and the reserves are revealed Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Will Brown or Tatum earn a starting nod?

All-Star voting tipped off Thursday, Jan. 28, and will run through Tuesday, Feb. 16. Fans can submit one full ballot per day, and five “2-for-1 Days” – on Jan. 30, Feb. 2, Feb. 4, Feb. 13, and Feb. 16 – will allow them to have their vote count twice.

The fan vote counts for 50 percent, and players and members of the media account for 25 percent each.

Kemba Walker was named a starter last year. While it’s possible he’ll be chosen as an All-Star again, it’s unlikely he’ll start simply because of how little he’s been on the court. Walker, who is recovering from a lingering knee injury, has played in just five games this season as of Saturday afternoon. The Celtics have said that Walker is unlikely to play on the second night of back-to-backs.

One could make a compelling case that Brown has been a top-five player in the Eastern Conference this year. Brown is averaging 27.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 52 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range, and 77 percent from the line.

#NBAAllStar 2021 Voting Key Dates!

• February 4: Fan Voting Update
• February 11: Fan Voting Update
• February 16: Voting Ends 11:59pm/et
• February 18: Starters Announced
• February 23: Reserves Announced

🗳️: https://t.co/2YZJEbQbn7

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 29, 2021

Celtics.com’s Marc D’Amico noted that, as of Thursday, Brown ranked fourth in the league in points per 36 minutes with an average of 29.7. Earlier this month, Brown poured in 33 points in 19 minutes in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, setting an all-time record for the most points scored in under 20 minutes since the shot clock was instituted in 1954.

Tatum, not to be outdone by his teammate, is averaging 26.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor, 43 percent from distance, and 86 percent from the stripe.

He was sidelined for most of January due to COVID-19, but he scored 24 and 25 points in his first two games back.

How many players will represent the Celtics?

The answer will likely be two or three.

It appears unlikely that Brown or Tatum will be left off the roster, and it’s also unlikely Marcus Smart or another player will earn a nod. Walker is the main question mark, and only time will tell if he’s done enough in limited action.

Once the 10 starters are selected, coaches will choose the reserves. Walker has made the team every year from 2017-2020, and he’s been a starter two consecutive seasons. He’s well-respected around the league, so it’s possible coaches will give him a vote for his overall body of work.

He’ll likely be up against James Harden, Trae Young, Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, and Collin Sexton, among others – some of whom will presumably be named starters.

Who will be this year’s NBA All-Stars?

NBA All-Star Voting presented by @ATT is NOW OPEN!
Vote daily on https://t.co/WChjCTkVGB, the NBA App or on Twitter using #NBAAllStar and #FirstNameLastName.

🗳️: https://t.co/2YZJEbyzYx pic.twitter.com/Zaj77EB6He

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 28, 2021

Will Brad Stevens get to coach again?

Brad Stevens coached the Eastern Conference All-Stars in 2017, becoming the sixth Celtics head coach to do so. Red Auerbach holds the record with 11 appearances.

The process for choosing the coach is simple, as the coach whose team has the best record two weeks prior to the All-Star Game gets the nod. As of Saturday, the Celtics are fourth in the East, 2.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers.

The looming question this year is whether or not there will be an All-Star Game. If there is, it certainly won’t have the same fanfare it usually does, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojarowski recently reported that the NBA is considering playing the game in March if possible.

ESPN Sources: The NBA and NBPA are discussing scenarios to still hold an All-Star game in March. One site under discussion is Atlanta, home of Turner Sports. That idea includes providing support for HBCU’s and COVID-19 relief. Story soon on site.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 25, 2021