The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is shaking things up in a big way—and it’s already sparking debates. Forget everything you thought you knew about the format. This year, it’s not just a game; it’s a round-robin tournament featuring two U.S. teams and one international squad, with each team playing 12-minute games. But here’s where it gets controversial: starters are still being chosen by fans, players, and media, but positions no longer matter. That’s right—no more traditional point guards or centers. So, who makes the cut? Three of The Athletic’s NBA writers—Josh Robbins, William Guillory, and Zach Harper—shared their ballots, and the choices are as bold as the new format itself.
Ballot No. 1: Josh Robbins
Robbins went with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxey for the East, and Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama for the West. His reasoning? He prioritizes players who drive winning and make an impact on both ends of the court. Cunningham, for instance, has been the linchpin for the East’s top team, while Brunson’s leadership brought the Knicks an NBA Cup title. In the West, Jokić and Wembanyama were no-brainers despite missing games—their dominance is undeniable. But here’s the kicker: Robbins left out legends like LeBron James, arguing that votes should be based solely on this season’s performance. Is that fair, or should career achievements still matter?
Ballot No. 2: William Guillory
Guillory’s picks mirrored Robbins’ for both conferences, but his process was strikingly different. He called his East selections ‘obvious,’ highlighting Cunningham’s MVP-caliber season and Brown’s two-way prowess. However, he admitted leaving Donovan Mitchell off was tough, blaming Cleveland’s underperformance. In the West, Wembanyama’s limited minutes (fewer than 800 by voting’s end) gave him pause, but he ultimately sided with the rookie phenom. The real debate? His final spot came down to Edwards and Kevin Durant. Edwards won out due to Houston’s inconsistent play, but is Durant’s efficiency and leadership being overlooked?
Ballot No. 3: Zach Harper
Harper’s East starters matched his colleagues’, with Giannis as the ‘obvious lock.’ He praised Maxey and Brown’s league-wide impact and Brunson’s seamless fit in Mike Brown’s system. In the West, Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander were no-doubt picks, while Dončić’s offensive brilliance (despite defensive struggles) earned him a spot. Harper’s final debate? Edwards vs. Devin Booker and Kawhi Leonard. Booker fell short, and Leonard’s limited games sealed his fate. But is Edwards’ quiet dominance truly outshining Booker’s consistency?
And this is the part most people miss: the new format and positionless voting are forcing us to rethink what it means to be an All-Star. Is it about individual brilliance, team success, or something in between? Let’s be honest—this isn’t just about who starts; it’s about the future of the All-Star Game itself. What do you think? Are these writers on the money, or did they miss the mark? Sound off in the comments—this is one debate that’s just getting started.
