NBA: 10 candidates to be 1st-time All-Stars in 2019-20

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: DeAaron Fox (L) and Jayson Tatum (R) smile at the 2019 USA Men's National Team World Cup training camp at UCLA Health Training Center on August 13, 2019 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images,)
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: DeAaron Fox (L) and Jayson Tatum (R) smile at the 2019 USA Men's National Team World Cup training camp at UCLA Health Training Center on August 13, 2019 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images,) /
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(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

4. Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets

While the All-Star Game could be made up of the best players from 12 different teams, in practice the league’s best teams tend to send multiple representatives to the game. Last year the top three teams in the Eastern Conference each sent two representatives, while the Golden State Warriors (and Oklahoma City Thunder) did in the West.

Stand out as a team and coaches generally reward that with multiple selections to the team.

That is the approach the Denver Nuggets will be aiming for this season. With the Warriors in decline and the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and both Los Angeles teams working in new stars, the road is paved for the Nuggets to be the clear top team in the West for the first few months. Their continuity and excellence from a year ago give them the best shot at a fast start.

Jamal Murray looks to benefit from that in two ways. First, the continuity with Nikola Jokic and the rest of the team’s core should help his personal numbers. Murray is confident enough to shoot no matter the coverage, but he understandably thrives when working in full mind-meld with the best passing big in league history.

A healthy Gary Harris and Will Barton mean less defensive attention as well.

If Murray takes the next step as a player, then the team’s continuity also helps his case due to team record. A team with a 20-5 start, for example, almost demands two All-Stars. If “Maple Curry” shoots well to start the year it will help his personal case and the team’s success. Denver has not had two All-Star worthy players in a long time, but that time could be coming soon.