Six Players Worthy of Becoming First-Time All-Stars

The NBA has always been a league that moves at a rapid rate. Every year, there is a major pipeline of new young talent that enters the league, and that young talent has began to develop at a faster and faster rate. This makes the league more talented and the competition for All-Star slots much heavier. This year, we have seen great growth from a handful of young players, and many have became worthy of All-Star spots based on their production and impact for their respected franchises. Here are five young players who are worthy of making their first All-Star team this season:

Lamelo ball

After a sensational rookie season, it is not very surprising Lamelo Ball has boosted himself another level into this conversation. He is currently averaging 19.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 8.1 APG while shooting 39% from downtown. When comparing his production to James Harden this season, you can’t tell much of a difference. A part of that is Harden having a down year, but nonetheless, he has emerged as the clear best player on a Hornets team that is currently in the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte may be one game under .500, but the energy Lamelo has given to that organization is unlike anything the fanbase has ever experienced. Outside of Trae Young, you can argue that Lamelo Ball has been the most impactful and influential point guard in the Eastern Conference at only 20 years old. Out of all the players on this list, Lamelo is probably the most likely to make his first All-Star game because of the flare and brand he gives the league.

jarrett allen

Jarrett Allen has always been a respectable, young, starting center in this NBA, but this year, he has emerged as more than that. Allen is on track to be the first player in NBA history to average 15+ PPG, 10+ RPG, and 70%+ from the field, he is doing that while averaging nearly 17 PPG. He has been a defensive anchor on an elite defensive Cavaliers squad, while proving to be much more than a lob threat on the offensive-end, with much improved footwork and scoring bag on the block. The All-Star game is in Cleveland. Outside of Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo, there is no center in the East clearly better. He is a worthy representative

Darius garland

If we are going to go on a Cavaliers loving spree, why not continue with Darius Garland? It was not that long ago when people were talking about Darius Garland as a potential bust when many advanced metrics considered Garland as one of the worst players in the league in his rookie season. But it was his rookie year, and he has dramatically improved each year in his career. This year, he is leading the Cavaliers in points and assists as he is averaging 19.1 PPG and 7.3 APG on 47.6%. He has been the offensive foundation of a legitimate top four seed in the competitive East, and he is producing in an efficient manner. When talking about the best young point guards in the league, you don’t go far down the list until his name is mentioned, and that’s another reason why he will receive All-Star consideration in only his third season.

Anthony edwards

Anthony Edwards looked like an All-Star in his last 36 games of his rookie year, and he has continued that play this year as he’s averaging 22.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.6 APG on 43.4%. Let’s put his into context- not saying he’s as good as this player yet- but Jimmy Butler averaged 22.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 4.9 APG in the 2017-18 season with the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards is producing utterly similar numbers to the last wing star the Timberwolves had, that is how special he is in his second season. He’s had incredible moments this year has he’s dropped 48 against the Warriors, he had 21 in the third against New Orleans, he hit 10 three against the Nuggets recently, and more. He has improved his efficiency from deep and dramatically as a defender, while also helping Minnesota remain in the playoff picture after its first 30 games this season. Even though they’re floating around .500, like Lamelo in Charlotte, his performance, energy, and vibe he has given to Minnesota has really elevated that organization. If Lamelo and Edwards make the All-Star team, it would only make the event more SHOWTIME!

Ja morant

Ja Morant’s star began to dramatically rise in the Play-In tournament and postseason last season. He dropped 35 points in a surprise victory against the Warriors in the Play-In, then he went on to average approximately 30 and 8 against the Utah Jazz in the first round, including dropping a whopping 47 in game 2 of the Conference Quarterfinals. This year, even though he’s somewhat slowed down following a scorching hot start of the year, he is averaging 23.7 PPG and 6.9 APG and is the best player in the four seed. At this moment, Ja probably isn’t the most worthy All-Star right now, because because he’s missed over 10 games and Memphis has a much better record without him on the court, but he’s been playing at a star level and if he stays healthy, he would play enough games to be All-Star worthy. Plus, so we really believe Memphis is actually better without Ja? Of course not. Memphis will be just fine with Ja on the court.

deandre Ayton

Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

A lot has been said about Deandre Ayton not getting a five-year max extension this past summer despite making the Finals and four other players from his draft class getting that max-extension. Is Ayton worthy of a full-max deal? That’s an entirely different topic, but Ayton could have a chance of slipping into the All-Star game. He has improved his production to averaging 16.9 PPG and 11.1 RPG on 62.5%, while being a key two-way piece for a Phoenix team with the best record in the league that is currently on pace to win a whopping 68 games this year. Winning heals, and winning awards. As the second leading scorer and leading rebounder on that team, Ayton could very possibly be given great consideration as an All-Star reserve. And he deserves credit. He’s played very well.