According to Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders, these 7 players have a high chance of playing their first ever NBA All-Star game this season: Karl-Anthony Towns, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeAndre Jordan, Gordon Hayward, C.J. McCollum, Hassan Whiteside and Kemba Walker.
Now let's take a look at the possibility of each of them one by one. These are the 7 players that Joel Brigham projected to be possible first-time All-Stars. I just put my own analysis on each player.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns is the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year. Last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he averaged 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 32.0 minutes. He played all 82 games which means that he can withstand the grind of an NBA full season.
Entering in his 2nd season in the NBA, expect him to play at a higher level. Given his potential and talent, he might make into the All-Star line-up this year.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks
Last offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo signs a 4-year $100 million dollar contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. That means he is the main man now for the Bucks.
Last season, he averaged career-highs in 5 major categories as he tallied 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks in 80 games.
Now in his 4th NBA season, Antetokounmpo is expected to make a big leap. His vast improvement over the last few seasons and his lucrative contract extension will give him more motivation this 2016-2017 season. He might make the All-Star team.
3. DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers
Last season, DeAndre Jordan averages 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 77 games. He was selected to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team. He was clearly at the All-Star level but was surprisingly not selected to the All-Star game last season.
With the way he is playing right now, he will surely be an All-Star this coming NBA season. Winning gold medal with the US Team in Rio Oympics 2016 might add to his confidence.
4. Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz
Last season, he averages 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 80 games. He was playing at a very high level. But Utah Jazz is not a playoff team. That would probably be the only reason why he was not selected to the All-Star game last season.
If the Utah Jazz will have a good record before the All-Star game, Hayward's talent might become more noticeable. And if he stays healthy throughout the whole season, there's no doubt that he will make the All-Star team.
5. C.J. McCollum
Last season, C.J. McCollum averages 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 80 games. He won the 2016 NBA Most Improved Player.
He didn't make the All-Star team last season because the Western Conference is loading with great guards like Curry, Paul and Westbrook.
Expect McCollum to have another great season. And expect Portland Trailblazers to still make the playoffs this season. But given the overwhelming talents of guards in the West, there's no guarantee that McCollum will make the All-Star team this season.
6. Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat
Last season, Hassan Whiteside averages 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 block shots. He led the NBA in block shots and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
During the offseason, he signed a lucrative four-year deal with the Miami Heat worth $98 million. With Dwyane Wade already with the Chicago Bulls and Chris Bosh is sidelined because of health issues, Whiteside is now the Heat's best player.
If Miami Heat will still be a playoff team, Whiteside might make the All-Star team this season.
7. Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets
Last season, Kemba Walker averages 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 81 games. He was the main man for the Charlotte Hornets. He was an All-star snub last season.
If Charlotte Hornets will contend for a playoff position. And if Kemba Walker manage to improve 2 or 3 points in his scoring average, he might make the All-Star Team.
