Atlanta Hawks: Who Makes the 2016 All-Star Team?

The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks had four All-Stars play in New York City last February. Our red-hot Atlanta Hawks sent PG Jeff Teague, SG Kyle Korver, PF Paul Millsap, and C Al Horford to represent the team in Madison Square Garden. Those four Hawks made up a third of the entire Eastern Conference roster which was also coached by a member of the Atlanta Hawks organization HC Mike Budenholzer. With the 2016 All-Star Game being held in Toronto, how many players on the Hawks make it to next year’s glorified exhibition game?

We found out last season that to make it to an All-Star Game, you essentially have to play at a Top 15 level in your conference. Though each roster only holds 12 men (why not more?), roughly 3 players are not able to partake in the weekend’s festivities due to injury.

Mar 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) attempts a three-point basket as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) defend in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

I look across the landscape of the Eastern Conference and I feel that Atlanta at least has a few of the Top 15 players in the East. So worse case scenario, I still feel that the Atlanta Hawks are strong enough of a basketball team to send at least two All-Stars to Toronto this year. But which players?

To me if he’s healthy, C Al Horford is almost a guarantee to make the game in Toronto this upcoming year. The Boss has made it to three ASG’s in his 8-year career with the Atlanta Hawks. His versatility as a stretch four/five and his raw athleticism for someone at 6’10”, Horford is a mismatch for most defenders in the NBA.

The only team I’ve seen consistently bother Al is Memphis, who Atlanta plays on twice because the Grizzlies are in the West. I’d like to believe that Al Horford is one of the Top 6 big men in the Eastern Conference. His major competition at Center in the East are Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez who’s prone to injury and Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic who’s never made an ASG. Therefore, he’s an All-Star when healthy until I’m proven otherwise.

Paul Millsap has been an All-Star both of his seasons while playing for the Atlanta Hawks. His all-around game and hard work has made Millsap a Top 25 player in the Association and a max salary guy for Atlanta. While I do think that Paul is All-Star caliber heading into 2015, power forward is arguably the deepest position in the NBA. So I can’t guarantee his spot in Toronto in 2016.

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For Paul Millsap to get back to his third consecutive All-Star appearance, he would again have to play as one of the Top 4 PF’s in the East. Miami’s Chris Bosh is essentially guaranteed to make the team. And between Cleveland, Chicago and Milwaukee’s big men, some talented players will have to watch the ASG from their couch at home. But given Paul Millsap’s consistency the last two seasons for the Atlanta Hawks, I feel that he does get to play for the East again in 2016.

While it’s not that hard to argue for Horford or Millsap to again play for the East, it’s tougher to say with certainty that Jeff Teague or Kyle Korver can get back to the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. Teague plays point guard in the East, a conference that has at least six worthy players at that position every winter. Jeff’s main competitors are Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, Miami’s Goran Dragic, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, and Washington’s John Wall.

-= Hawks All-Time Lists: Top 5 Head Coaches =-

I feel that both Irving and Wall are locks for 2016. And since the ASG is being held in Toronto, I know that the fans will definitely put a Raptor on the East squad whether its Lowry, SG DeMar DeRozan, or even new SF DeMarre Carroll. Even without the fan vote, the Raps are a good basketball team especially in the backcourt.

My best guess for Jeff Teague to return to his second career All-Star game is to go as an injury replacement for a backcourt player. Even with major media attention surrounding the Atlanta Hawks last year, I still feel that he’s the fourth most recognized PG in the East behind Rose, Irving, and Wall. It’s no knock on Teague to not get back to the 2016 ASG, given how insanely deep the league is at point guard. Portland’s Damian Lillard made it as an injury replacement. Memphis’ Mike Conley and Milwaukee/Phoenix’s Brandon Knight did even get asked.

Getting Kyle Korver back to the All-Star game would be the cherry on top to another strong first half of basketball by the Atlanta Hawks. His near record-breaking 2014-15 Season elevated Korver’s status to the league’s premier shooting specialist. Add in his high basketball IQ on defense and in Bud’s offense and Kyle Korver had a career year for Atlanta last season.

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But coming off two offseason surgeries to his ankle and shoulder, Korver might not play as freely as he did in 2014-15. Even in the 2015 NBA Playoffs he received constant attention on the outside. Washington’s Bradley Beal played the best defense on Korver I saw all year. Beal is one of several backcourt players inching closer to All-Star level. Unless Kyle Korver replicates his first half success from 2014-15, Korver may not make the 2016 ASG squad.

So to bring it all back home, if the 2015-16 Atlanta Hawks are on pace to win 55 or so games next year heading into the All-Star Break, I’m very confident that Atlanta will have two, possibly three players making the All-Star Game. You can write Horford’s name in pen, Millsap’s in pencil, and keep an eye out on the landscape of the East for Teague’s spot. Atlanta won’t win 33 of 36 again in 2016, but this team still has strong NBA Championship aspirations as one of the top-tier teams in the Eastern Conference.

Next: Thabo Sefolosha: The Atlanta Hawks' X-Factor

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