Earning the title of NBA All-Star is not an easy feat. Only 24 players get the honor of representing their team in the All-Star game.
Each year we see the usual players in the game, but each year also brings new faces to the All-Star teams. Here are four players that should be selected for the NBA All-Star game in February.
4. Cade Cunningham
It took a little bit for Cade Cunningham to put his game together, but he has flipped the switch this season. The fourth-year guard is averaging career highs in points (23.6), rebounds (7.3), and assists (9.3).
He is also shooting 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range. Detroit has put more floor spacing around him with the likes of Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and others, and that has unleashed Cunningham’s driving game.
Cunningham has stuffed the stat sheet the entire season, with 18 games of 20 or more points, 12 double-doubles, and five triple-doubles. He has kept the Pistons competitive in the Eastern Conference, and his elite offensive performance this season should warrant his first selection.
3. Evan Mobley
Another fourth-year player putting it all together, Evan Mobley’s breakout has been essential to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ league-best 22-4 start. Mobley is averaging 18 PPG, nine rebounds, three assists, and almost two blocks per game this season.
He is doing this while shooting 55 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. He also has 11 double-doubles, 12 games with two or more blocks, and already has ten games of 20-plus points. He had 14 such games all of last season. Defensively, he has remained elite, as opponents are shooting 42 percent against Mobley.
The young big man has been a focal point of the Cavs offense this season. Mobley has not only played himself into All-Star consideration but also Most Improved Player consideration. An elite two-way force on the team with the best record in the league? He definitely has a case for his first selection.
2. Jalen Williams
Another two-way force, J-Dub has been the model of efficiency for OKC on both ends. To start off, Williams is averaging career highs in points (21.7), assists (5.0), and steals (2.0). His rim efficiency has been great as well, as he is shooting 66 percent on shots at the rim.
Lineups with Williams this season have a +9.8 net rating, and opponents are shooting only 43 percent against him. He also has 14 games of shooting 50 percent or better from the field. He is shooting above league average on above-the-break threes (40.2 percent) and mid-range shots (52 percent).
OKC has the best record in the West, and Williams has been a big reason why. He should earn his first All-Star nod.
1. Victor Wembanyama
Number one comes as no surprise. It is not hard to make the case for Wemby, given his gaudy numbers. Wemby endured a shooting slump to begin the season but had a hot month of November that saw him average almost 26 PPG, 10 rebounds, and almost four blocks per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range on 10 attempts per game.
On the year, he is averaging 23.6/10.3/3.9 and leading the league in blocks per game (3.5). Opponents are also shooting 41 percent against Wemby this season, and he has 19 games with multiple blocks.
Wemby has been a two-way monster once again for the Spurs and is only scratching the surface of how good he can be. The 20-year-old Frenchman should receive his first All-Star selection this season.