Which first-time All-Stars might we see in Cleveland?

Fan voting for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game opens this weekend and evaluating those who deserve recognition is notably challenging this season, with Cleveland hosting this season’s All-Star weekend for the first time since 1997, as the NBA celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Last season, five players were rewarded with their maiden All-Star nods – Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Julius Randle, Mike Conley and Zion Williamson. This season, a revamped collection of first-timers have a shot at taking the All-Star floor for the first time.

Jarrett Allen, Cleveland

Allen has put together a quietly dominant season for the Cavaliers, who were licking their lips when they managed to pinch him from Brooklyn as a part of the James Harden sweepstakes last season. Some questioned how the afroed seven-footer would fare alongside rookie Evan Mobley but the Cavaliers are currently the fourth-seed in the East and sit with the third-best defensive rating in basketball. The 23-year-old erases everything at one end of the floor (15th in the NBA in blocks per game) and finishes everything at the other (third in the NBA in field-goal percentage). Allen – who is one of just five players in the league this season to average 16+ ppg, 10+ rpg and 1+ bpg – has been a major factor in Cleveland’s resurgence and finds himself deservedly in the All-Star mix at the 30-game mark.

Deandre Ayton, Phoenix

A former number-one pick, Ayton has been phenomenally consistent for the league-leading Suns this season. His production may not be as newsworthy as some of his teammates but Ayton’s presence has proven to be a major factor in Phoenix’s rise from cellar-dwellers to contenders. The Bahamian-native has put up 16.9 ppg and 11.3 rpg this season for Phoenix, whilst being sixth in the league in field-goal percentage. He is a smarter and more capable defender than when he first entered the league and plays his role in Monty Williams’ system to perfection on a nightly basis. If Phoenix are able to maintain their winning ways, calls for Ayton’s All-Star candidacy will continue to grow in volume.

LaMelo Ball, Charlotte

Ball’s game has screamed “All-Star” since his days as a wide-eyed freshman at Chino Hills High School and, this season, it may come into fruition for Charlotte’s franchise cornerstone. At just 20, Ball’s game is already remarkably well-rounded; offensively, he is already an elite passer, he runs the fast-break well, he can hit shots off the dribble and he has a nifty package of layups and floaters around the rim. Since the turn of the century, only LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić have averaged 19+ ppg, 7+ rpg and 8+ apg for an entire season – Ball is currently averaging 19.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 8.2 rpg. With Charlotte currently in the playoff picture, Ball’s All-Star odds appear greater by the day.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota

Edwards’ character has earnt him a legion of admirers in the early stages of his NBA career and the Timberwolves phenom is now proving why he was worth a number-one pick. Minnesota sit firmly within the play-in picture and, whilst Karl-Anthony Towns is their most likely All-Star candidate, dismissing Edwards’ play would be unfair. Edwards is looking to become just the seventh player in NBA history to average 22+ ppg and 5+ rpg in their age-20 or younger season. A combination of his team’s record and a myriad of All-Star calibre wings in the Western Conference may prove a little much to overcome but, if not this year, Edwards’ first All-Star nod is not far away. The former Georgia Bulldog is improving by the day and the state of affairs in Minnesota is undoubtedly on the up.

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Darius Garland, Cleveland

Garland is quickly becoming one of the league’s elite point guards and has orchestrated Cleveland’s offence admirably this season. Scouts saw Garland’s upside ever-so-briefly at Vanderbilt and a combination of health and a balanced supporting cast has allowed the 21-year-old to properly spread his wings this season. Of the eight players this season to average 19+ ppg and 7+ apg, only LaMelo Ball (39.1%) shoots a higher percentage from three than Garland (38.6%). In other words, his mixture of scoring prowess, passing ability, and long-range shooting is well and truly among the league’s elite. With Cleveland currently the four-seed out East, Garland’s All-Star argument becomes all the more compelling. Teammate Jarrett Allen may steal votes from him if any voters decide that only one Cavalier deserves the nod but what Garland is doing at age-21 is wildly impressive nonetheless.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City

Injury unfortunately cut Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2020-21 season short but the Toronto-native has returned with a bang this season for Oklahoma City. Whilst his numbers are down across the board, he offers a skillset that few players his age can replicate and it will not be long until it starts translating to wins. Of the 18 players this season to average 21+ ppg, 4+ rpg and 4+ apg, only three are younger than Gilgeous-Alexander. The 23-year-old has already cemented himself as one of the most efficient isolation scorers in basketball and continues adding elements to his game that will serve him well as his career progresses. Due to his squad’s lacklustre record, Gilgeous-Alexander may have to wait before he draws genuine All-Star consideration but it is definitely worth keeping an eye on Oklahoma City’s budding star.

Ja Morant, Memphis

With each passing day and each Memphis victory, Morant’s All-Star chances continue to soar. The wily point guard has wowed crowds since his rookie year thanks to his highlight-reel throwdowns but few players as young as him have shown the poise and leadership ability he has; as a result, Memphis currently sit at fourth in the West. Morant is one of just five players to average 23+ ppg, 5+ rpg and 6+ apg this season – in league history, only LeBron James and Luka Dončić have hit those marks at a younger age. He has improved his game holistically since he was drafted and he and his teammates are reaping the rewards. If Morant is able to continue this level of play and his Grizzlies continue their winning ways, lock him in for his maiden All-Star berth.

Dejounte Murray, San Antonio

Perhaps not as recognisable as a few of the other names on this list, Murray has put together an extraordinary season in San Antonio. With an All-Defensive nod already under his belt, Murray has improved across the board as an offensive player. Murray is currently tied with reigning-MVP Nikola Jokić for the most triple-doubles in the NBA this season and is the only player not named Luka Dončić to average 18+ ppg, 8+ rpg and 8+ apg. San Antonio have won 8 of their past 13 games, with their deft point guard averaging 17.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 9.2 apg and 1.9 spg over that stretch. Currently second in the league in steals per game, his name will again come into calculations for All-Defensive honours. Due to the insane talent pool in the Western Conference, Murray may be snubbed but, considering he is on track to join Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan as the only players ever to average 8+ rpg, 8+ apg and 2+ spg for a season, it will be unluckily so.

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