NBA 5-on-5 – Our experts break down this year’s All-Star starters

NBA All-Star Weekend is always a time of debate, and this year’s event in Salt Lake City on Feb. 17-19 will be no exception.

With only 24 roster spots in the event and 10 starters, there will be an array of stars on the court, but some talented and well-respected players are bound to miss out altogether.

The usual All-Stars are indisputable, with LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic leading the way year after year and several rising stars racking up fan votes. But this year’s selections also came with some stunning surprises.

Zion Williamson was voted a starter for the first time in his career despite playing in just 29 games so far this season, but he might not play because he is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Williamson was given the starting spot over Anthony Davis, who was projected by many to be the last starter in the Western Conference because he has higher averages in points and rebounds and fewer turnovers per game than Williamson, but Davis has played in three fewer games so far.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid was not voted a starter in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant, Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum nabbed all of the starting frontcourt spots, leaving the Philadelphia 76ers star center potentially coming off the bench.

Our experts break down the biggest surprises and snubs from this year’s All-Star starters, and with the announcement of the new draft format, what big changes we’d like to see next.

1. Who is the biggest surprise?

Tim Bontemps: There were only two spots that were up for any sort of real debate: the third Western Conference forward, behind Jokic and James, and the second Eastern Conference guard, behind Donovan Mitchell. With Williamson having missed the past three weeks because of a hamstring injury, I was a little surprised he wound up with the nod as the third forward. But there also wasn’t a clear-cut option for the spot, with both Kings big man Domantas Sabonis (whom I voted for) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (another injury absence) both meriting consideration.

Kendra Andrews: Williamson was the biggest surprise to me. This isn’t to say that Williamson isn’t an incredible talent — because he is. However, his availability has been shaky. And with so many other frontcourt players shining in the West, he was the biggest surprise to get the starting job.

Andrew Lopez:…