ALL-Star voting is officially open and for the 1st time in years the fans don’t have the entire say for the starting line-ups. This could lead to some players who are more deserving of a berth getting voted in, rather than it becoming a popularity competition. Who deserves to make the team for the first time?
Honourable Mentions: Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, DeAndre Jordan, Bradley Beal, Hassan Whiteside
Kristaps Porzingis – 20.1 PPG (points per game), 7.9 RPG (rebounds), 1.9 BLKPG (blocks)
NEW York seems destined for mediocrity again this season, although it’s through no fault of Porzingis’. The Latvian Length (not my finest work but it’s unique) has definitely progressed in Year Two upping his shooting percentages and points output from his rookie season, putting him among the potential debutants in NOLA this Feb. With his unique skill set I would love to see him in the All-Star game, but his teams record may hamper his case, especially with his teammate Carmelo Anthony highly likely to demand a spot.
Gordon Hayward – 22.1 PPG, 3.7 APG (assists), 6.3 RPG
HAYWARD has the Utah Jazz sitting 4th in the West at the time of writing this. If anyone had have guessed they would be this up the standings your clearly lying. He is Utah’s go-to-guy and is emerging as a true jet of the competition. If the Jazz keep winning he deserves to be in the Western Conference squad.
Giannis Antetokounmpo – 23.8 PPG, 5.9 APG, 8.9 RPG
GIANNIS Antetokounmpo A.K.A. ‘the entire Milwaukee Bucks’ is having an incredible statistical season. No seriously, he is leading the Bucks in those three above categories as well as steals (2.0) per game, field goal percentage (53.6%) and blocks (2.0) per game. Seriously what the f*$&. If he isn’t in the team someone should lose their job.
Image from behindthebuckpass.com
Kemba Walker – 22.7 PPG, 5.4 APG, 4.0 RPG
CARDIAC Kemba keeps getting it done for the Horents, shrugging off the moniker that he isn’t a ‘true superstar’. His leadership of the over achieving Charlotte team has generated plenty of buzz (see what I did there) for the 6’1 point guard. It will be a weird year for the Eastern Conference backcourt with Kyrie likely to be voted in and Isaiah probably stealing a spot too. Kemba deserves to be the third PG on the roster.
C.J. McCollum – 22.3 PPG, 3.7 APG, 3.5 RPG
WITH Damian Lillard out recently, C.J. McCollum has been the focal point of Portland’s offense, and he has certainly thrived in that role. He has scored 29, 20, 29 and 43 in those four such games, but unfortunately for McCollum playing on a losing Trailblazers team, and the loaded point guard group in the West means he will watching the All-Star game, not playing in it.
Karl-Anthony Towns – 21.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.4 BLKPG
ANOTHER big man who is progressing well in his second pro season and also in line for a maiden All-Star selection. One of only five dudes putting up 20/10 a night hasn’t translated to Timberwolves wins, but that hasn’t stopped Towns using his diverse range of tools to wow the fans every night. However, with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis likely ahead of him in the pecking order it may be tough to squeeze a third center into the team. A few more wins may help his case, kick your ass into gear Towns!
Image from si.com