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Top 10 Candidates To Be First-Time All-Stars In 2017

By Justin Rowan

Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) backs up to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) backs up to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford (left) listens to Hornets guard Kemba Walker (right) during the second half in game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 106-73. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford (left) listens to Hornets guard Kemba Walker (right) during the second half in game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 106-73. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kemba Walker

Both Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets flew under the radar last season. With the addition of Nicolas Batum, Walker finally had a wing that could space the floor and initiate some offense.

Walker’s breakout season was a large reason for the Hornets going from 28th in offensive efficiency two years ago to ninth last season. He has the keys to the franchise now, and the success of the team is dependent on him.

Walker averaged 20.7 points and 5.2 assists per game last season. He did this while averaging career-highs with 42.7 percent shooting from the floor and 37.1 percent from three. The Hornets didn’t make a surge into playoff position until after the break.

But after his breakout season, if Walker and the Hornets can sustain the success from last season it’s going to be hard to overlook him as an All-Star.

The guard depth in the Eastern Conference makes being selected as an All-Star difficult. Assuming they stay healthy, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Kyle Lowry are all likely locks.

There may be an opening for Walker, however. With Al Horford taking over as the face of the franchise in Boston, Isaiah Thomas may be overlooked in favor of Walker. In order for this to happen, Walker is going to need to show that last season wasn’t just an outlier.

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