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3 NBA players who could be first-time All-Stars this year

By Luke Duffy

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Chase Center on October 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Chase Center on October 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NBA Players
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half during a preseason game at United Center on October 15, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement; NBA Players (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

We are quickly approaching the point in the NBA season where we can start to read more into statistical trends and the play of certain individuals. While teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are still being given the benefit of the doubt, both organizations would have to admit that this season has not gone the way they would have hoped for so far.

LeBron James is back on the court but getting into needless fights with bottom feeders, while the Bucks have struggled with injuries of their own. This has allowed unexpected rosters, such as the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors (you thought they’d be good, but not this good) to come out of the gates strong.

3 NBA players who could be first-time All-Stars this year

While the true contenders will slowly emerge, in the case of a number of individual players, their play so far now looks to be for real. This is always a fun topic to talk about.

Discussing which guys could end up being All-Stars for the first time is fun. While it is a given for the truly elite players in the league, we forget just what an honor it actually is. Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls was a two-time All-Star while with the Orlando Magic, and you better believe that will stand out to him when his career is done.

As the fourth option with the Bulls, those days of being truly recognized for all the good that he does appear to be gone for now. Every year, there are a few players who take a big leap and end up appearing in the midseason exhibition.

Let’s examine three who currently have very strong cases. One that was always going to end up there, one that we thought might, and one complete surprise.