With a third of the NBA season behind us, All-Star voting has officially opened as we cast half an eye towards the star-studded showcase that will take place in Indiana early in 2024. While voting for the best players in the NBA largely turns into a popularity contest, there are up-and-comers in the field who are competing for their first appearance at an All-Star Game. Annually, we see a handful of first-timers make their way onto the roster and with another healthy batch of contenders, just how many first-time All-Stars can we expect to make the cut this season?
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Honourable mentions
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs – Through the first 25 games of his career, it’s fair to say that Victor Wembanyama has been as good as advertised. Having played in just four wins so far, Wemby will make plenty of appearances amongst the best of the best in years to come – it’s not happening this year though.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers – The traditional third-year leap we have come to expect from NBA prospects hasn’t come to fruition for Evan Mobley. Still, before the Cavs’ young big suffered a knee injury he was averaging an effective double-double fuelled by 64 dunks – the 3rd highest tally in the league behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets – As has been the story for years now, injuries continue to interrupt Jamal Murray’s All-Star push. Denver’s lead guard owns an 11-4 record in his 15 games this season while averaging 18.4 PPG on healthy shooting splits with 5.7 assists a night. He deserves to qualify, but unless Murray bumps his scoring average and the Nuggets go on a tear, he’ll probably miss out again.
LaMelo Ball, Hornets – Another All-Star calibre guard who can’t stay on the court LaMelo’s health will stop him from making a serious push for the ASG. Averages close to 25 and 8 would have the Charlotte star in the conversation for a roster spot, although the fact that he isn’t close to a return and has only played 15 games this season likely rules Ball out.
Chet Holmgren, Thunder – The front runner for Rookie of the Year honours, Chet Holmgren was somewhat unlucky to find himself amongst the honourable mentions rather than a genuine challenger for a roster spot. However, there are only 24 players who feature in the All-Star Game each season and even though Holmgren is helping transform the Thunder into a contender with his play on both ends of the floor, an All-Star berth is a stretch.
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Season stats: 11-8 record, 26.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 11.9 APG
I’ll say it, Tyrese Haliburton is the best point guard in the league. This isn’t exactly an outlandish statement with Indiana’s floor general dominating from an offensive standpoint through the first third of the 2023-24 season – culminating in an impressive in-season tournament run from the Pacers. No one and I repeat, NO ONE has averaged 24 points and 12 assists before for an entire NBA season, highlighting just how dominant Haliburton has been when it comes to generating offence for his team. There is still a lot to play out before the All-Star rosters are confirmed, but it’s fair to assume Haliburton is a lock for the team, giving the host city a representative in the mid-season classic.
Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Season stats: 13-12 record, 19.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 5.2 APG
The term ‘unicorn’ gets thrown around way too often in today’s NBA, but make no mistake, Alperen Sengun is a rare, rare talent. Currently, there are only six other players in the league (Julius Randle, Giannis Antetkoumpo, Joel Embiid, Scottie Barnes and Nikola Jokic) who own similar per-game averages to Sengun and most of them are cornerstones for their respective clubs who are also expected to feature in the All-Star game. While Houston’s starting center is in the midst of a small shooting slump, his ever-expanding game coupled with Houston’s growth in the win-loss column has put Sengun firmly in the All-Star mix.
Scottie Barnes, Raptors
Season stats: 11-16 record, 20.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 5.7 APG
Any worries Toronto fans had after a Scottie Barnes sophomore slump have quickly been evaporated. Shooting 10% better from the 3-point line (38.1%) compared to a season ago, it’s clear that the Raptors have a future superstar on their hands in the form of the 4th overall pick from the 2021 draft. Barnes will have to compete with a loaded group of contenders out East for a reserve spot and Toronto’s sub .500 record may be held against him. Still, Scottie thoroughly deserves to be on the court when All-Star action arrives in Indiana this February.
Image from si.com
Paolo Banchero, Magic
Season stats: 16-10 record, 20.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.5 APG
Another Eastern Conference forward who is destined to make a bunch of All-Star appearances in his career is Paolo Banchero. The reigning Rookie of the Year has taken another leap in his development early through the new season, establishing himself as the go-to-guy for the Magic and a player that they can hopefully build a future winner around. A four-game losing streak doesn’t help his chances, but if coaches feel like rewarding Orlando for their impressive start then Banchero is the one who will qualify for the squad.
Desmond Bane, Grizzlies
Season stats: 8-18 record, 24.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.2 APG
Forced to play without his running mate in Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the season, Desmond Bane has well and truly picked up the slack for Memphis. Entering just his fourth season in the league, Bane has already established himself as one of the purest shooters in the entire NBA – highlighted by his 49-point outburst vs. Detroit just three weeks ago. There’s a tough road for him to conquer in order to qualify for the ASG, but if the Grizzlies can get their mojo back and Bane is at the forefront of their turnaround then we may see Memphis’ ascending star surprise us and earn a nomination.
Mikal Bridges, Nets
Season stats: 13-14 record, 21.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.7 APG
After arriving in Brooklyn via the Kevin Durant trade, Mikal Bridges looked everything like a franchise player in his first 27 games with the Nets. Scoring 26 PPG and making plays on the defensive side of the ball thrust Bridges further into the conversation as one of the best two-way players in the entire league. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had the same level of production thus far in the 2023-24 season as the Nets struggle to find their identity as a team. Through his first 27 games of the new campaign, Bridges hasn’t done anything to convince us he won’t be a foundational piece for Brooklyn, however he faces an uphill climb to crack the All-Star rotation.
Image from sandiegouniontribune.com
Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
Season stats: 12-7 record, 26.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.7 APG
Any doubt that Philadelphia fans had about life without James Harden has quickly been vanquished following a breakout season from Tyrese Maxey. Through Philly’s first 27 matches, Maxey has thrived alongside Joel Embiid to keep the Sixers squarely in the championship hunt by averaging the 15th-highest PPG mark in the whole league. What has impressed me most isn’t Maxey’s ability to score the ball, but rather his playmaking ability as he joins Chris Paul and Mike Conley as the only players to average 6+ assists and less than 1.5 turnovers a night. If he keeps this up, he’ll take out one of the reserve spots in the East for sure.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks
Season stats: 16-11 record, 25.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.9 APG
I can admit when I am wrong. I was amongst the naysayers regarding the contract Jalen Brunson received from New York two offseasons ago, but 106 games into his Knicks career it’s evident that they have a bargain on their hands. Brunson has won over 62% of his games as a Knickerbocker while steering the franchise towards consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in a decade. In an era where per-game averages are leaping off the page, Brunson seems destined to once again watch the All-Star Game from home, although the catalyst to New York’s success should be rewarded for his extremely consistent high level of play.
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