8 Potential First Time All-Stars This Season
Aug 2, 2015 22:24:55 GMT -6
London, Madrid, and 2 more like this
Post by New York on Aug 2, 2015 22:24:55 GMT -6
With the All-Star game fast approaching I thought i'd do something different than I normally do with my All-Star writeups.
Each year we know there are certain guys that are going to make the All-Star team for their conference. You've got Hakeem Olajuwon who will be starting barring injury, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Adrian Dantley, Michael Jordan and the list goes on. But I want to look at the guys who as of right now have always been on the outside looking in. I want to look at the players that haven't made an All-Star team in their career but deserve to make it this year in my opinion.
Note: Originally this was going to be a 10 player thing but I wanted to do five American players and five Eurasian players but I couldn't find 1 more Eurasian players that I wanted to include so it's going to be top 9
Eurasian Conference
American Conference
Each year we know there are certain guys that are going to make the All-Star team for their conference. You've got Hakeem Olajuwon who will be starting barring injury, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Adrian Dantley, Michael Jordan and the list goes on. But I want to look at the guys who as of right now have always been on the outside looking in. I want to look at the players that haven't made an All-Star team in their career but deserve to make it this year in my opinion.
Note: Originally this was going to be a 10 player thing but I wanted to do five American players and five Eurasian players but I couldn't find 1 more Eurasian players that I wanted to include so it's going to be top 9
Eurasian Conference
18.6 PPG | 5.8 RPG | 6.7 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 56.5 FG% | 27.9 3P%
- He's a rookie, so this is kind of cheating but he's (arguably) the best shooting guard in the conference right now. He's currently averaging an efficient 18.6 PPG and he's contributing on both sides of the ball. I know most expect him to be an all-star at some point in his career but I am predicting he's an all-star right off the back. His PPG is not as high as some of the other guys he's competing with but his efficiency (18.2 PER | 62.5 TS% | 1.43 PPS) is really solid for a rookie guard. Plus he's the best player on a playoff team which isn't something either of the other guys he's going up against can say. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I am pretty confident Lebron James will be a 1st time All-Star in his first season.
- He's a rookie, so this is kind of cheating but he's (arguably) the best shooting guard in the conference right now. He's currently averaging an efficient 18.6 PPG and he's contributing on both sides of the ball. I know most expect him to be an all-star at some point in his career but I am predicting he's an all-star right off the back. His PPG is not as high as some of the other guys he's competing with but his efficiency (18.2 PER | 62.5 TS% | 1.43 PPS) is really solid for a rookie guard. Plus he's the best player on a playoff team which isn't something either of the other guys he's going up against can say. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I am pretty confident Lebron James will be a 1st time All-Star in his first season.
21 PPG | 4.6 RPG | 4.8 APG | 0.9 SPG | 0.1 BPG | 52.0 FG% | 48.3 3P%
- Allan Houston is one of the shooting guards that will not only be competing with Lebron for an All-Star spot but the starting spot as well. It's a three horse race for that spot and all three of the players are on this list as I mentioned before. In his third season in the league, Allan Houston has stepped it up big time. He's averaging 21 PPG - 4.6 RPG - 4.8 APG which are above his career averages and hes' also nearing 1 SPG. What's most impressive about Houston is his efficiency this year. His Field Goal% is above 50%, his 3-Point% is at 48.3% on 6.1 attempts per game. The change of scenery has really benefited him and it looks like he has found a nice spot for himself as a player. Right now there aren't many superstars at the shooting guard position in Eurasia so with how good Houston has been he's pretty deserving of a spot.
- Allan Houston is one of the shooting guards that will not only be competing with Lebron for an All-Star spot but the starting spot as well. It's a three horse race for that spot and all three of the players are on this list as I mentioned before. In his third season in the league, Allan Houston has stepped it up big time. He's averaging 21 PPG - 4.6 RPG - 4.8 APG which are above his career averages and hes' also nearing 1 SPG. What's most impressive about Houston is his efficiency this year. His Field Goal% is above 50%, his 3-Point% is at 48.3% on 6.1 attempts per game. The change of scenery has really benefited him and it looks like he has found a nice spot for himself as a player. Right now there aren't many superstars at the shooting guard position in Eurasia so with how good Houston has been he's pretty deserving of a spot.
26.4 PPG | 8.1 RPG | 2.9 APG | 0.7 SPG | 1.2 BPG | 56.5 FG% | 50.0 3P%
- Boy what a difference a year makes. Last season Rasheed Wallace was a solid but not great starter and was overshadowed by Shawn Kemp, Pau Gasol and a few other players on the Beermen roster. Now he's unquestionably the best player on the roster averaging 26.4 PPG on great efficiency. He probably won't be the starter because KK Partizan is having a great season behind Charles Barkley's play. But it would be a travesty if he didn't make the team because outside of Barkley I can't see a PF that deserves it more than him. The funny thing is that he will likely be taking the spot of his teammate Shawn Kemp this year as he takes the reigns as the team leader. I suspect this year he'll make the All-Star game and it'll be the first of many as long as he keeps improving in training camp.
- Boy what a difference a year makes. Last season Rasheed Wallace was a solid but not great starter and was overshadowed by Shawn Kemp, Pau Gasol and a few other players on the Beermen roster. Now he's unquestionably the best player on the roster averaging 26.4 PPG on great efficiency. He probably won't be the starter because KK Partizan is having a great season behind Charles Barkley's play. But it would be a travesty if he didn't make the team because outside of Barkley I can't see a PF that deserves it more than him. The funny thing is that he will likely be taking the spot of his teammate Shawn Kemp this year as he takes the reigns as the team leader. I suspect this year he'll make the All-Star game and it'll be the first of many as long as he keeps improving in training camp.
22.3 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 5.5 APG | 1.1 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 55.8 FG% | 24.6 3P%
- Dwyane Wade had a great rookie season and probably should've been Rookie of the Year if not for missing 12 games which is important in those award races. It's also pretty important in the All-Star races and although I can't confirm it, i'd guess it played a big part in him not making it last year. This year he seems to be perfectly healthy and barring a major injury he should be in the running for one of the Shooting Guard spots in Eurasia. He's having a better season than he had in his rookie year and definitely deserves it. The one thing he has going against him is that this year his team is on the outside looking in for the playoffs while his two competitors are playoff players as of right now. If one of the three gets left off it may be him but I believe he'll be an all-star sooner rather than later but it'd be nice to see him make it this year.
- Dwyane Wade had a great rookie season and probably should've been Rookie of the Year if not for missing 12 games which is important in those award races. It's also pretty important in the All-Star races and although I can't confirm it, i'd guess it played a big part in him not making it last year. This year he seems to be perfectly healthy and barring a major injury he should be in the running for one of the Shooting Guard spots in Eurasia. He's having a better season than he had in his rookie year and definitely deserves it. The one thing he has going against him is that this year his team is on the outside looking in for the playoffs while his two competitors are playoff players as of right now. If one of the three gets left off it may be him but I believe he'll be an all-star sooner rather than later but it'd be nice to see him make it this year.
American Conference
20.6 PPG | 10.4 RPG | 4.1 APG | 3.2 BPG | 56.3 FG%
I'm not going to lie, even though Shaq didn't light the world on fire like everyone suspected he would I am surprised that he has missed the All-Star games in four tries. Right now he's having in my eyes what I think is his best year and when you consider the fact that Elvin Hayes is getting old and Hakeem Olajuwon is playing power forward this year, someone has to fill the Center spots. This is probably his best shot he has at making the team and he's definitely deserving. Nearly 21 PPG | 10 RPG | 4 APG | 3.2 BPG is super impressive even if his scoring isn't amazing. He's also the best player on the 5th seed in America so that should probably get him some consideration.
I'm not going to lie, even though Shaq didn't light the world on fire like everyone suspected he would I am surprised that he has missed the All-Star games in four tries. Right now he's having in my eyes what I think is his best year and when you consider the fact that Elvin Hayes is getting old and Hakeem Olajuwon is playing power forward this year, someone has to fill the Center spots. This is probably his best shot he has at making the team and he's definitely deserving. Nearly 21 PPG | 10 RPG | 4 APG | 3.2 BPG is super impressive even if his scoring isn't amazing. He's also the best player on the 5th seed in America so that should probably get him some consideration.
22.0 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 9.5 APG | 3.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 48.3 FG% | 39.0 3P%
Another player that I am shocked hasn't made it yet despite being 4 years in is Gary Payton. He's been getting better every year but I'd say last season was his true break out year as he became guard to ever win ABCA's Defensive Player of the Year. This year he's been even better getting past 20 points per game for the first time in his career. If you couple that with the fact that his team is pretty damn good this year, then I can't see how he doesn't make his first all-star appearance this year. He's 26 years old but he's finally reaching that potential that everyone saw in him around his second season.
Another player that I am shocked hasn't made it yet despite being 4 years in is Gary Payton. He's been getting better every year but I'd say last season was his true break out year as he became guard to ever win ABCA's Defensive Player of the Year. This year he's been even better getting past 20 points per game for the first time in his career. If you couple that with the fact that his team is pretty damn good this year, then I can't see how he doesn't make his first all-star appearance this year. He's 26 years old but he's finally reaching that potential that everyone saw in him around his second season.
24.5 PPG | 9.6 RPG | 3.4 APG | 1.5 BPG | 0.9 SPG | 54.9 FG% | 25.7 3P%
- Chris Webber has been stellar this year averaging nearly 25 PPG | 10 RPG | 3 APG | 2 BPG | 1 SPG . Training Camp has clearly benefited him and his individual performance. He's currently in the final season of his rookie contract and he has unquestionably become an All-Star caliber player. However his teammates have not been very good (specifically on the perimeter) so in four seasons he has not made the playoffs once. The other thing he has going against him is that he's injured and if he sits out then he may be passed by some of the other top tier bigs in America. It's also important to note with Hakeem at Power Forward now there is only one open Power Forward spot left open for the team unless he makes it on one of the position-less spots. There are guys like Len Bias and Dominique Wilkins that he has to fight with for that last spot and it won't be easy. He deserves a spot and I think he has the potential to make it but it won't be easy.
- Chris Webber has been stellar this year averaging nearly 25 PPG | 10 RPG | 3 APG | 2 BPG | 1 SPG . Training Camp has clearly benefited him and his individual performance. He's currently in the final season of his rookie contract and he has unquestionably become an All-Star caliber player. However his teammates have not been very good (specifically on the perimeter) so in four seasons he has not made the playoffs once. The other thing he has going against him is that he's injured and if he sits out then he may be passed by some of the other top tier bigs in America. It's also important to note with Hakeem at Power Forward now there is only one open Power Forward spot left open for the team unless he makes it on one of the position-less spots. There are guys like Len Bias and Dominique Wilkins that he has to fight with for that last spot and it won't be easy. He deserves a spot and I think he has the potential to make it but it won't be easy.
21.9 PPG | 8.5 RPG | 4.7 APG | 1.4 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 54.6 FG% | 38.3 3P%
- Clark Kellog might be the most surprising name on this list for guys that don't follow other people's teams. But this guy has definitely turned into an all-star caliber reserve. He broke out last season and he has continued that play into this year's team and has helped Brazil along with David Robinson put together the second (tied) best record in the league. He doesn't have the name value of some other players but when you are a big piece of a 32-9 team, you deserve some recognition. Plus much like Hakeem Olajuwon moving positions could potentially help Shaq, Adrian Dantley moving to Shooting Guard could potentially helps Kellog. Ron Harper likely makes his second all-star appearance, this time as the starter, but then the question becomes who backs him up? Toni Kukoc is the only other American Conference Small Forward that could land a spot and I don't see him making it personally. Kellog is a top 5 small forward in the league right now and it's ashame that he is never mentioned in that conversation. Hopefully he lands on the All-Star roster this season and boost his stock.
- Clark Kellog might be the most surprising name on this list for guys that don't follow other people's teams. But this guy has definitely turned into an all-star caliber reserve. He broke out last season and he has continued that play into this year's team and has helped Brazil along with David Robinson put together the second (tied) best record in the league. He doesn't have the name value of some other players but when you are a big piece of a 32-9 team, you deserve some recognition. Plus much like Hakeem Olajuwon moving positions could potentially help Shaq, Adrian Dantley moving to Shooting Guard could potentially helps Kellog. Ron Harper likely makes his second all-star appearance, this time as the starter, but then the question becomes who backs him up? Toni Kukoc is the only other American Conference Small Forward that could land a spot and I don't see him making it personally. Kellog is a top 5 small forward in the league right now and it's ashame that he is never mentioned in that conversation. Hopefully he lands on the All-Star roster this season and boost his stock.
-Okay first things first, Adrian Dantley is going to be the starting shooting guard for America barring injury. However Hersey Hawkins is a guy that I can see landing in that reserve spot or one of the position free spots this year. In some circles, he was considered one of the bigger snubs of last season's all-star game so it'll be interesting to see if he can make it. Last season he was beat out by Ron Harper and Otis Birdsong, neither of those players will be in his way this year. Otis Birdsong is in Eurasia and probably doesn't make the team this year anyway while Ron Harper has basically swapped spots with Adrian Dantley this year. It comes down to four players for that Shooting Guard spot; Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson, Byron Scott, and Hersey Hawkins. I don't think Brazil lands three all-stars and I think David Robinson and Clark Kellog are safer bets to make it for them so that eliminates Dumars in my mind. Then Vinnie Johnson is the most efficient of the 3 but he doesn't have the volume in my eyes. Byron Scott and Hawkins are having similar years and it probably comes down to the two of them but I think Hawkins has been better this year and he'd get my vote. I think a big factor will be how the Titans perform between now and the All-Star game. They are currently the 5th best team in the conference and the 6th seed, if they improve on that I could see them receiving two all-stars but if they stay in the bottom half of the bracket then it becomes harder for that to happen. He might have a harder time making it then most of the guys listed here but he definitely has the potential to get there.
