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

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 21: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks in the second half at United Center on November 21, 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

3 NBA players who could be first-time All-Stars this year: 2. Lonzo Ball

Remember we said first-time All-Stars, and although the Bulls have both DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine leading their charge, both have appeared in the game before. This leaves Lonzo Ball, a player who looked like he had tons of potential coming out of college, and after strange stops with the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, is starting to show it.

Although DeRozan and LaVine may impede his selection, there was once a 60 win Atlanta Hawks team that managed to get four All-Stars in the same game. The Bulls aren’t quite on that kind of trajectory, but if they could somehow get three, then Ball will absolutely get the nod. Even as things stand, he could be selected by the coaches over either LaVine or DeRozan.

Both of those NBA players have been excellent thus far for the Bulls, but it is not hyperbole to say that Ball is the best two-way player of the lot. The Bulls currently rank 7th in both offensive (109.9) and defensive (104.4) ratings. Ball is hitting the three-point shot at a scorching 43.6 percent rate, by far the best mark of his career.

Strangely, the 4.6 assists per game he is averaging is the lowest mark of his career, but this can be explained. Both LaVine and DeRozan are two players who can most certainly create their own shots.

Vucevic is an excellent big for Ball to get into a two-man game with, but he is currently out because of COVID protocols. A look at his own numbers, and the sizeable dip they have taken because of who he now plays with, means he finishes less of what Ball sets up.

So really then Ball has managed to be the same excellent defender he has always been, see his usage rate drop over three percent of what it was last year with the Pelicans, but still, be very effective on both ends of the court.

He’s far more than a spot-up shooter, but is knocking them down from deep regularly, all while keeping his teammates ticking on both ends. This is the Lonzo Ball we were promised, and right now, he is certainly has a shot to be an All-Star.