The All-Star game is an event where the NBA showcases the best talents in the league. Not only do they get the nod through fan votes, but they also have to get approval from the media, coaches, and their fellow players. Every year, a set of skilled and gifted players are constantly getting snubbed in the All-Star despite their monstrous output on the court. Today, we will be deciding who are the best athletes that have the potential to become an All-Star for the first time in their careers.
6. Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
The 2022 first-overall pick is definitely showing up and proving why he is the number-one pick. In his first few games, he has already amassed records he shared with some of the greats like Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Though the 19-year-old power forward out of Duke is playing extremely well, his team (Orlando Magic) can’t seem to catch a break. If he continues this level of play and if Orlando at least gets back on track of winning, Paolo Banchero could become the first rookie selected in the All-Star game since Blake Griffin did in 2012. There haven’t been a lot of rookies that were selected in the All-Star game, but if Banchero does this feat, he would be joining an elite club consisting of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Grant Shill, Shaquille O’neal, and many more.
Stats as of November 7, 2022:
| POINTS | ASSISTS | REBOUNDS | STEALS | BLOCKS | FG% | 3P FG% |
| 22.9 | 3.6 | 8.5 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 45.8 | 23.1 |
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5. Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
The Finnish star is already making a case for the most improved player awardee this season. His stellar performance is currently leading the Utah Jazz to a hot start even though they have lost two All-Stars namely Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Through this, Markkanen could achieve his first All-Star nod this season.
Lauri Markkanen had a solid start in his career and was on his way to becoming a star. However, his growth in Chicago was halted due to the acquisition of Demar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Nikola Vuvevic. This year, he seems to be turning things around as he gets his career-high averages in points, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage.
| POINTS | ASSISTS | REBOUNDS | STEALS | BLOCKS | FG% | 3P FG% |
| 21.8 | 2.7 | 9.4 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 51.7 | 30.0 |
4. Desmond Bane (Memphis Grizzlies)
Last season, the Memphis Grizzlies have shown that they can still be a contender even with the absence of Ja Morant, thanks to guys like Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, and Desmond Bane.
Desmond, a very underrated scorer, proved that he is one of the best three-point shooters in the league. For 3 years, he hasn’t gotten below 40% in three-point percentages and this season is his best yet with 46.8% which is better than Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, and Devin Booker. Currently, the 24-year-old forward is becoming a better offensive threat alongside Ja Morant. In fact, the two are already one of the best one-two punches in the NBA today. With his sudden improvement, he is also in line to win the MIP this year.
Stats as of November 7, 2022:
| POINTS | ASSISTS | REBOUNDS | STEALS | BLOCKS | FG% | 3P FG% |
| 24.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 45.9 | 46.8 |
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3. Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
Even though he is playing alongside two perennial superstars, Tyrese Maxey is balling out in Philadelphia.
Maxey was a late first-round pick back in 2020 and nobody foresaw his development in the league. Together with James Harden and Joel Embiid, the three are making a strong championship contender that can take on tough Eastern Conference clubs like the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Brooklyn Nets. As a third scoring option for the Sixers, Maxey is doing pretty great and has proven effective in almost 38 minutes of playing time.
Stats as of November 7, 2022:
| POINTS | ASSISTS | REBOUNDS | STEALS | BLOCKS | FG% | 3P FG% |
| 24.9 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 48.9 | 44.0 |
2. De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)
De’Aaron Fox has long been snubbed from the All-Star selection although he has been proving all-star-worthy numbers since his sophomore year.
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For many years now, even with his outstanding averages, Fox is yet to appear in his first All-Star game. Currently, he is on pace to finally join the club as long as he continues to play like this and stays healthy throughout the season. Moreover, the Sacramento Kings aren’t a winning team, especially since they are in a very tight Western Conference filled with superstar guards like Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, and Damian Lillard so the guard position could be filled up very quickly.
Stats as of November 7, 2022:
| POINTS | ASSISTS | REBOUNDS | STEALS | BLOCKS | FG% | 3P FG% |
| 26.3 | 4.6 | 5.9 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 55.5 | 4.6 |
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Believe it or not, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves to be in this year’s All-Star game. If selected, this will be his first-ever selection. He is already making a statement as a superstar in the making with his ridiculous performance every night. Though it’s too early to say, it isn’t necessarily new to Shai. In the past, he was already putting up All-Star numbers but truth be told, he was always part of the All-Star Snub party. Could this be finally his year?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are still in rebuild mode so it is safe to say they aren’t trying to win this year especially since Chet Holmgren is out for the rest of the season. Additionally, OKC has its eyes on the French generational talent, Victor Wembanyama as he joins the draft in 2023.
Stats as of November 7, 2022:
| POINTS | ASSISTS | REBOUNDS | STEALS | BLOCKS | FG% | 3P FG% |
| 30.5 | 5.9 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 53.5 | 30.4 |
Do you agree with our picks? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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