While All-Stars often come from the more successful teams, every year a few players from teams outside of the playoffs find their way onto the squad. Who is likely to get the nod, and who is most deserving?
The 2016 NBA All-Star Game will be held this year in Toronto, and the first batch of votes are up on NBA.com. Some surprising names grace that list, as well as some newcomers.
Absolute Lock
Kobe Bryant – Out of all of the players on this list, Kobe is least deserving of an All-Star berth based on this season’s on-court play. But the All-Star Game is for the fans, and the current system allows fans to vote the starters in. That means Kobe, who has an NBA-leading 719,000+ votes at the first return of voting numbers, will be in Toronto come February. One last dance for the Black Mamba.
Near Locks
Anthony Davis – The reality that Davis is not in the above category seems astounding, as he was a popular MVP pick before the season and has two All-Star appearances in his first three seasons. His statistical totals of 23-11 with almost three blocks seem worthy as well. But his team is playing well below expectations, with injuries and defensive issues leaving the Pelicans at 11-22, 14th in the West. The voters have responded to this, dropping “the Brow” to sixth among West forwards, behind deserving players Blake Griffin, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant, all of whom are surely All-Star locks (Kobe, playing as a small forward this year, is first). The success of Davis’ team is hurting him, but even so he should be added to the roster by the coaches after starters are announced.
John Wall – Wall suffers from a similar effect as Davis – a former All-Star getting docked for his team’s failure to meet expectations. The former Kentucky Wildcat is second in the league in assists with 9.9, third among East point guards in scoring, and second in steals. But the Wizards have had to claw their way back towards .500 after a porous start. If Washington can get back into the playoff picture in the East, Wall will easily be assigned to the squad.
Andre Drummond – A double-double machine, Andre Drummond leads the league in rebounds by an astounding number; 16.1 is almost three more than the next player (DeAndre Jordan) and would be the most by a player since 1995 (Dennis Rodman)! The only reason Drummond could get left off the roster is a glut of prominent forwards in the East on good teams. If Detroit (ninth in the East) stays outside of the player picture and Carmelo Anthony catches Drummond as a starter, former All-Stars in Pau Gasol, Kevin Love, and Chris Bosh could join LeBron James and Paul George in Toronto. While that’s possible, it’s very unlikely; so we should see Drummond make his first All Star appearance.
Deserve Consideration
DeMarcus Cousins – The Sacramento center racks up technical fouls. However, he also gets a substantial portion of points and rebounds, and has extended his range beyond the arc. Still, the Kings have been below .500 all year, mired in chaos and controversy from day one. DeMarcus is only eighth in All-Star voting, and he could lose the war of attrition as the sheer force of talent in the West is sifted through.
Karl-Anthony Towns – The rookie big out of Kentucky is one of only a baker’s dozen leaguewide averaging 15 and nine, and his advanced metrics on both offense and defense are well ahead of his age. However, despite the Timberwolves’ improvement from last year, they are not realistically fighting for a playoff berth, and the West is too crowded with quality front-court players for Towns to get in this year. But soon, he’ll be there.
Damien Lillard – The Portland guard is sixth in the league in scoring, taking on a tremendous offensive mantle with the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, and Nicolas Batum. He is also top-ten in three pointers made and assists, performing admirably in every major offensive category. The problem is on the other end of the court, where his defense is nearing turnstile levels. With Portland just outside of the playoff picture, Lillard may get left out in the cold as similar players on winning teams – such as Klay Thompson – force him out.
Long shots
Reggie Jackson – Strong start with his new contract, but he’s dealing with a small sample size and no previous momentum. Detroit is not currently in the playoffs, and that will belittle any case Jackson may have made.
Greg Monroe – While Monroe is putting up solid numbers, the Bucks are putting up losing numbers as far as record, and their sheer drop off from last year – coinciding with the arrival of Monroe – keeps him from serious consideration.
Andrew Wiggins – Wiggins is developing into a dynamic scorer, putting up over 20 points a game. But he can’t hit from three, and his PER is only average. He may find his way to an All-Star game in the future, but this won’t be the year.
CJ McCollum – McCollum has burst onto the scene as the second banana in Portland, and he is dropping 20 points a game on scorching hot percentages, especially from deep. But with little else to add to his resume for a losing team, McCollum’s not making the squad.
Not on the List
Carmelo Anthony – Melo can still score, and his past resume and name power will probably see him through to the squad. But if Drummond stays ahead of Melo in the voting to claim the third starting spot, Anthony’s team falling out of the playoff hunt and all of the negatives to Melo’s game could keep him from securing a spot. I don’t think he deserves to go, so he’s listed here.
Kristaps Porzingis – The Zinger is having a solid year for a rookie, but his numbers just aren’t there – nor is the team success – for an All-Star nod. He’ll still be in Toronto for the Rising Stars Game, but if he makes an appearance at the main event, it will be as a spectator.
Brook Lopez – Lopez is putting up decent numbers for a terrible team; that doesn’t get you to the All-Star game. While the East isn’t loaded with centers, the elimination of the center designation and the positional versatility of players such as Bosh will ensure he doesn’t make the squad.
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