Being selected as one of the all-star is one of the most memorable if not in an NBA player's career. Its like a validation for their hardwork and a good way to measure up with very talented opponents in the hardcourt at the same time. So right now, we're goin' to tackle some players right now who is most likely to be selected as a member of the all-star this upcoming 2018-19 NBA season as first timers.
We will consider some factors that would hinder their chances to be chosen, whether it might be missing games due to injuries or stacked position on a certain conference. In this particular article we will lists all the players worthy to be considered as first time all-star candidates in no particular order.
Ben Simmons, Point Guard/Forward
2017-18 Stats - 15.8 pts 8.1 rbs 8.2 ast
Ben Simmons is the starting point guard for the Philadelpia 76ers, he is a 6' 10'' point forward to be precise. He is a monster on transition with the ability to thread the ball in pinpoint precision even without looking. He is Lebron James 2.0 without the jump shooting ability, he is considered a transcendent talent even by just witnessing his debut season. He is highly regarded as franchise changing player not to mention that he easily change the tanking culture of Philadelpia into a title contender only in his rookie season together with Joel Embidd.
With the departure of King James in the eastern conference, Simmons could easily take his position in the eastern conference. There is no question on his talent, the only reason he could not be an all-star this upcoming season would be (knock on wood first so it might not happen) an injury which is his problem that he couldn't able to play in his first season in the NBA. Its hard to imagine that a player like him would get an all-star snubbed, considering what he accomplished last season and last playoffs.
Rudy Gobert, Center
2017-18 stats - 13.5 pts 10.7 rbs 2.3 blks
Rudy Gobert is defensive behemoth of the Utah Jazz is one of the best defensive bigman in today's game, just 25 years of age and entering his prime years as an athlete. He is drafted actually by the Denver Nuggets and got traded to the Utah Jazz, with the mostrous wingspan of 7 ft. 9 inches its not that impossible for him to be a good defensive player which he pretty much live and even surpass to the hype and regarded as one of the elite defensive player.
The Bigman French player is without a doubt a worthy candidate for the all-star spot just winning the defensive player award last season and with Demarcus Cousins likely to miss a bunch of games this upcoming season due to injuries then Gobert is expected to be the one replacing that vacant seat.
Devin Booker, SG
2017-2018 stats - 24.9 pts 4.5 rbs 4.7 ast
Devin Booker a scoring machine is only a 21 year old Phoenix Suns shooting guard. He leads his team in scoring and considered already a leader on a young and rebuild Suns team. He is consistenly improving every year since his rookie season, just recently signed a monstrous contract with his team its a no brainer that he is an all-star caliber type of player. Booker's 70 point game performance against the celtics is the most in the nba history which broke Elgin Baylor's record of 64 points. He is also considered the youngest player ever to reach a 60+ points game.
Although Devin is a worthy player to be selected as an all-star, the Western Conference is pretty much stacked with talented guards like Chris Paul, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry not to mention the all-star snubbed last season like C.J. McCollum and the trade of Demar Derozan to the Spurs would pretty much deem more of Booker's chance. The only way for him to get past those names that I mentioned would be to carry the Suns to be a playoff team and record a monstrous stat sheet like Westbrook, although it might be impossible.
Donovan Mitchell, SG
2017-18 stats - 20.5 pts 3.7 rbs 3.7 ast
Donovan Mitchell the rookie guard of the Utah Jazz last season is a steal in the draft with his talent to be the 13th pick. He shocked a lot of analysts, players and basketball fans last season, in which he's able to turn around a team that just lost their star Gordon Hayward and brought the team to a playoff contender in the loaded western conference. I would compare him to a young D.wade but with a jumper, imagine how good is that. Mitchell is arguably to win the rookie of the year award last season if not for Ben Simmons which is drafted a year before him.
Just like Devin Booker, the only reason he could be snubbed is that the guard position in the west is really that loaded just like what I mentioned earlier. But its not that ambitious for Donovan Mitchell to be considered and belong in this particular conversation. If Mitchell could reach an even higher stat sheet and able to level up even better that his previous season then he might have a chance.
Comment down other noteworthy players to be in this conversation and let's discuss it in the comment section below.
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