2012 NBA All-Star Game: Best Players Still Waiting for First All-Star Appearance

In the NBA there are superstars, rookies and solid role players. There are starters, career backups and some guys who are lucky to be in the league. 

Among all of these players, only a handful will be selected to the 2012 NBA All-Star Game later this month in Orlando.

It was no surprise recently when NBA superstars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose were named as starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, but who the reserve players will be is up to the coaches of each conference's team.

Even though there is a list of the usual All-Star suspects, most players in the league will never make it to an All-Star Game, while some will make it a few times.

The following is a list of the best players in the league who are still waiting for their first All-Star selection. Each is in the middle of another good season and deserving of a selection. 

Rookies and other players who are early in their careers were left off of this list. To be included, players need to have played at least three seasons.

Players are not ranked and are in no particular order.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 23.1

Rebounds: 8.8

Assists: 2.8

Steals: 1.0

Blocks: 0.8

LaMarcus Aldridge has deserved to be an NBA All-Star for most of his first five years in the league, and this season is not any different. 

Often overlooked and forgotten in Portland, Aldridge is averaging the highest scoring and rebounding numbers of his career and led the Trail Blazers to a fast start this season.

With all of the quality forwards in the Western Conference, it may be difficult to find a spot on the team for Aldridge, but this is the year he must be named an All-Star. 

Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 16.2

Rebounds: 7.6

Assists: 2.4

Steals: 1.2

Blocks: 0.8

Luol Deng has missed a few games this season with a wrist injury, but has once again shown why he is a key part of the success of the Chicago Bulls this year. 

Deng may not be named to the All-Star team this month, but a selection should come to him in the next several years.

Now in his eighth season, Deng has contributed consistently to the Bulls and will be looked to for help this season as the team makes a playoff run.

If he can manage the pain in his wrist and stay on the court, he will be a great asset to the team.

Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 15.2

Rebounds: 1.6

Assists: 3.5

Steals: 1.3

Blocks: 0.2

Who says that a sixth man cannot be an NBA All-Star?

If there is one currently in the league to make a case for it, it is Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks.

Terry is one player who should have been named to an All-Star team somewhere in his first 12 years in the league.

Coming off the bench in Dallas this season, Terry is staying consistent with his career numbers and is shooting better from three-point range than he did last season when he won a title with the Mavericks.

It is not likely that Terry will become an All-Star, but he has been one of the most valuable players for the Mavericks for several seasons since he joined the team in 2004. 

Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 21.3

Rebounds: 3.1

Assists: 6.5

Steals: 1.8

Blocks: 0.3

Monta Ellis is known for one thing, and that is putting points on the board. 

Ellis is currently in 10th place in scoring in the league and is usually among the league leaders in minutes per game. 

Due to his scoring, and for carrying the Golden State Warriors, Ellis deserves to be an All-Star and would fit comfortably in an exhibition game designed around offense. 

Now in his seventh season, Ellis has made the impossible shots look easy throughout his NBA career.

Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 14.6

Rebounds: 8.1

Assists: 8.1

Steals: 2.0

Blocks: 0.3

Kyle Lowry played well last season when he finally got to be a consistent starter, but he has improved his statistics in several areas this year.

Lowry has raised his game to help the Houston Rockets and is on the verge of gaining an All-Star spot in the next couple of seasons.

Earlier this season, Lowry recorded his second career triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 15.0

Rebounds: 9.0

Assists: 3.2

Steals: 1.3

Blocks: 2.1 

As one of the most athletic players and top shot-blockers in the NBA, Josh Smith is once again playing at a high level and helping the Atlanta Hawks to be among the leaders in the Eastern Conference.

Smith has been an integral part of the Hawks, who are dealing with the loss of Al Horford due to an injury.

Smith's numbers are not as high as some on this list, but his all-around play and defensive effort helps him to be deserving of an All-Star selection. 

Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 18.5

Rebounds: 9.2

Assists: 1.9

Steals: 0.8

Blocks: 1.6

Before the season, there was speculation that Al Jefferson would be traded away from the Utah Jazz despite carrying the team down the stretch last season. 

Jefferson has responded by coming out to another great start in Utah and making himself an important part of the team.

Although his personal scoring and rebounding numbers are down a bit from last season, he is helping to lead the Jazz to unexpected success and a surprising early record this year.

In his eighth season in the league and second in Utah, Jefferson is making a good case for himself to be named an All-Star. 

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 15.1

Rebounds: 10.5

Assists: 2.8

Steals: 1.1

Blocks: 2.3

If one of the Gasol brothers is going to play in the 2012 All-Star Game, it should be Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Usually overshadowed by his older brother Pau, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, Marc is having his best season in his fourth year in the NBA.

Gasol has risen to the challenge of making up for the absence of teammate Zach Randolph, who went down with an injury early in the season.

Gasol is currently one of several players who is averaging a double-double each night. 

Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 19.9

Rebounds: 3.2

Assists: 2.7

Steals: 0.8

Blocks: 0.0

Throughout his career, Kevin Martin has been known as one of the best shooters and scorers in the entire league. 

This year, he is keeping pace with his career averages and leads a Houston Rockets team that is currently just outside of a playoff spot. 

Martin is leading this Rockets team, which has shown improvement but needs more time playing together. 

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 12.8

Rebounds: 6.8

Assists: 5.2

Steals: 1.8

Blocks: 0.5 

Although his numbers are down a little bit this season, Andre Iguodala's eighth season is one of his best. 

Finally having a healthy and talented team around him has helped him to not have to be the main scorer every night, so he can focus on doing other things to help the team win. 

Iguodala has been deserving of an All-Star selection for several years, and his defense and athleticism help his case this season. 

He is also one of a few players who have recorded a triple-double this year, which he was able to do a few weeks ago on his birthday.

Marcin Gortat, Phoenix Suns

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 15.2

Rebounds: 10.3

Assists: 0.9

Steals: 0.7

Blocks: 1.7 

Marcin Gortat is currently enjoying the best season of his five-year career and is averaging a double-double for the Phoenix Suns. 

Gortat has improved his game in several areas and is offering the most support to teammate Steve Nash in Phoenix.

It could easily come down to Gortat or Marc Gasol to see which center will back up Andrew Bynum in Orlando this year.  

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 13.7

Rebounds: 9.7

Assists: 1.8

Steals: 0.5

Blocks: 1.8

Even though Roy Hibbert's scoring and rebounding statistics are not as high as others, these are the highest marks in just over three seasons in the league.

Hibbert is an important part of what the improved Indiana Pacers are doing this season in the Central Division. 

If Hibbert does not make it this season, he will soon be named an All-Star, as he continues to develop into a better player.

Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 18.3

Rebounds: 6.5

Assists: 2.0

Steals: 1.7

Blocks: 0.7 

Rudy Gay has returned this season from a serious injury and has returned to post similar numbers as he has throughout his career. 

Gay has done well to make up for the Memphis Grizzlies' loss of Zach Randolph and is working to lead his team back to the NBA playoffs.

The very-athletic Gay has been a good player over his first five years in the league, and this season is no different. It should not be long until he is named an All-Star for the first time. 

Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 16.8

Rebounds: 9.5

Assists: 1.9

Steals: 1.5

Blocks: 0.8 

Over his career, Paul Millsap has patiently and quietly waited his turn to become a starter and a star in Utah. In his sixth season, his hard work and positive attitude is paying off.

Millsap, who many thought was on the trading block last summer, has become the do-everything player in Utah for a Jazz team that is exceeding expectations.

Millsap has no problem playing underneath, driving to the basket or stepping out to shoot a three-point shot. He has improved all areas of his game and must be looked at as a solid addition to the Western Conference All-Star team. 

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors

Per-Game Statistics This Season

Points: 23.5

Rebounds: 6.4

Assists: 2.1

Steals: 0.4

Blocks: 0.7 

Despite the criticism that Andrea Bargnani has taken over his career for not living up to being the first overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft, he has played well so far this season and is becoming the scorer the Toronto Raptors thought they were getting. 

Last season, Bargnani averaged just over 21 points per game, and he has improved this year.

Despite missing several games this season to a calf injury, Bargnani is putting together one of the best seasons of his career. He is definitely the leader of the Raptors, who have struggled to win games in his absence. 

Bargnani is finally deserving of an All-Star selection in his sixth season in the league.