As the NBA season gets underway, new first-time All-Star players will emerge. Aside from the starting five, the NBA handpicks qualified players to make it to the All-Star roster. Qualified players are players who improved their play this year, dazzled crowds in their games, and made a significant contribution to their team.
Last season, there were seven athletes who debuted in the All-Star game. These players were: Jarret Allen, Fred VanVleet, Dejounte Murray, Andrew Wiggins, Darius Garland, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant.
This season, there will surely be another set of players who will join the All-Star line-up for the first time. As such, here are the top five players who are poised to play in the upcoming All-Star game and have the opportunity to showcase their real basketball talents and skills to the world.
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Edwards has an aura of a superstar because of his charisma and skill on the basketball court. His career path works like an arrow pointing right to the top, making him the best draft choice in 2020. In 2020–21, he was named to the All–Rookie first team. Last season, he significantly increased his overall productivity.
Edwards’ game combines overpowering force and unwavering confidence. That’s a lethal combination, especially when combined with excellent agility. His play style is highly eye-catching, as he possesses both a fierce three-point shot (215 threes last season, 14th overall) as well as some of the finest rim-rockers in the industry. With this record, he may be your best bet pick for the NBA All-Star online sports betting.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Only eleven players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have averaged at least twenty-three points, four rebounds, and five assists during the past two seasons. Additionally, he is the only player in that group who wasn’t picked as an All-Star.
SGA has the skills and stats that deserve an All-Star appearance, and his refined delivery lends it even more credibility. Inside the perimeter, he never rushes yet always seems to be one step ahead. Moreover, his worth extends to both sides of the court, he excels on and off the ball, and he still manages to stand out on a Thunder squad that is meant to blend into the background of the league standings.
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers as part of a rebuild. The Pacers, however, got something more than just a point guard in Haliburton. Like Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards, Halliburton’s play in today’s NBA season proved that he could be a real choice for the upcoming All-Star game.
Averaging 10.9 assists and 19.1 points per game, Tyrese Haliburton is considered as one of the best point guards in the NBA today. He’s no slouch on defense too, as he’s averaging 1.8 steals per game. Tyrese Haliburton is a franchise player and he deserves to be named an All-Star this season.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
Despite coming in second place to Raptors’ Scottie Barnes for Rookie of the Year, Mobley undoubtedly displayed the highest two-way upside in his class. He was eighth in overall blocks and reduced opponents’ shooting percentages by 10.6 percentage points when they were within six feet of him. He is already a standout defender, and he may soon join the ranks of elite offensive players as well.
On the offensive side, Mobley is explosive in this area. He can dunk the ball with power and rebound the ball with tenacity. Aside from his inside offensive presence, Mobley can also drain outside jumpers.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets
Before suffering an ACL injury in April 2021 that prevented him from finishing the season, Jamal Murray seemed to be headed toward All-Star ascension. After a year and a half, the point guard who enjoyed a wine-and-cheese relationship with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic may be ready to get back to his winning ways.
Murray makes scoring look simple. During his last healthy season, he played 48 games and scored 20 or more points in 30 of them. With a shared role in playmaking, Murray is a complete threat on the floor. Murray is close to a comeback and may be on his way to an All-Star selection.
Final Thoughts
The NBA All-Star game will take place on February 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This serves as a short break for the first half of the season. The NBA All-Star game is a big opportunity for fans to see the best NBA players today. With that said, a new batch of rising stars will undoubtedly make it to the All-Star game.
Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, SGA, Tyrese Haliburton, and Evan Mobley are just some of the best rising stars today. These players, granted they keep playing at their current level, will get that highly-coveted All-Star nod.
HoopSocial
Independent basketball blog covering all things NBA, WNBA, College Hoops, Draft, and Betting. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and listen to HoopSocial Podcasts anywhere you get your shows!