Each NBA Team's Most Likely All-Star in 2015-16
Every year, the NBA All-Star Game brings a smattering of fresh faces and a handful of surprises.
But shrewd observers can often foresee what's ahead. A big chunk of the All-Star rosters can be filled in beforehand, because, health permitting, elite status tends to carry over from one season to the next. And breakouts typically don't happen overnight, but rather emerge through a series of positive strides.
In other words, the 2015-16 season might be in its infancy, but there's already enough data to determine the most likely All-Star candidate from all 30 rosters. Identifying those players is a lot like building the rosters themselves—production usually plays the biggest role, but excitement and popularity play their own parts in the process.
Not all of these players will fly to Toronto for February's All-Star Game. And not everyone who misses this cut will fall short when the actual selections are made.
But if each team was allotted one All-Star spot, this is how the rosters would likely take shape.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
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Atlanta Hawks big man Al Horford has been underappreciated for so long that he should be overrated by now. But how does one overrate a 6'10" center who can score in the post, defend the paint, distribute the basketball, clean the glass, set solid screens and, as of this season, shoot from long distance?
"Al can do everything," Hawks swingman Kyle Korver told Grantland's Zach Lowe. "He's not really a center. He's a basketball player who happens to play center."
Horford doesn't dominate any single area on the box score, but his excellence is captured in the number of categories bearing his fingerprints. He's averaged at least 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block in five of the last six seasons. Only two other players can make that claim: brothers Marc and Pau Gasol.
The egalitarian Hawks should have a handful of All-Star candidates once the rosters start coming together, but Horford's track record is the easiest to trust on the team. If he's healthy, he's an All-Star.
Boston Celtics: Isaiah Thomas
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The court of public opinion has long viewed the post-Big Three Boston Celtics as a franchise without a star, save for coaching wunderkind Brad Stevens. They have a decent collection of young talent and a treasure trove of future picks, so one could be rising soon. But for now, they're relying on depth to help compensate for their lack of top-shelf talent.
That being said, it's not at all difficult to identify the Celtic with the strongest All-Star candidacy. Isaiah Thomas has posted the best numbers by far since joining them at last season's trade deadline.
Despite never starting for the Shamrocks, he's been their top scorer and distributor throughout his tenure. It's hard to imagine anyone unseating him from either role between now and February. He can score from all three levels, he takes good enough care of the basketball and his super-sub role positions him to start collecting stats as soon as he steps inside the lines.
In 21 games for the Celtics last season, Thomas tallied 19.0 points and 5.4 assists a night. Kyle Lowry averaged 17.8 and 6.8, respectively, and he started the midseason classic for the East. Thomas might not have superstar talents, but he could post numbers that are All-Star-ish in this conference.
Brooklyn Nets: Brook Lopez
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There's a chance that Brook Lopez's best teammate might be the $40 million in cap space the Brooklyn Nets should carry into next summer.
The Nets have little of value currently surrounding the scoring 7-footer. Joe Johnson is well past his prime, Jarrett Jack is overexposed as a starter and the rest of the supporting cast fills complementary roles. In other words, Lopez would be the obvious choice even if his individual resume didn't measure up to an All-Star level.
If he's not at that point, he's close to it. His second-half rampage hasn't carried over from last season (19.7 points, 9.2 boards after the All-Star break), but he's playing his role as No. 1 option as best he can. The Nets are short on both playmakers and three-point shooters, and Lopez is still putting up 18.3 points per game on 51.3 percent shooting.
That's probably not enough to get him on the real roster. Not as long as the Nets are stuck in the basement, at least. But it's more than enough to separate himself from his teammates.
Charlotte Hornets: Nicolas Batum
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During his seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum always seemed most comfortable in a supporting role. That could still be the case, even though the scoring-starved Charlotte Hornets have moved the versatile swingman up the offensive pecking order.
He's much more of a glue guy than a star, someone far more likely to find where he fits than impose his will. That approach will surely hold his numbers back, perhaps far enough to keep him well outside of the actual All-Star discussion.
But if not Batum, which other Hornet would be in the running?
Al Jefferson has battled inefficiency (43.9 percent shooting), and his minutes average is the lowest it's been since 2005-06. Kemba Walker has an early start on what would be his fourth sub-40 percent shooting mark in five NBA seasons. It's quite possible that Charlotte's best player will be watching games from the sideline all year (former No. 2 pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, out after shoulder surgery).
A more selfish Batum might be an All-Star lock. But the current version is still the most likely candidate to come out of Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler
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The Chicago Bulls have a slew of potential All-Stars. Truth be told, former MVP Derrick Rose might be the third or fourth player mentioned in that conversation.
With competition this stiff, it's not so much about a player's strengths as it is his limitations. For Jimmy Butler, an All-Star and the Most Improved Player from last season, it's getting harder to identify his weaknesses.
He shoots well from outside, makes plays around (and above) the rim, gets to the free-throw line and sets up teammates as a secondary playmaker. And that says nothing of his far-reaching defensive gifts, which allow him to defend multiple positions and have twice earned him All-Defensive honors.
Barring injury, it's hard to see Butler's All-Star credentials falling short. The same cannot be said of his teammates.
Rose has yet to return to the elite levels he reached before multiple serious injuries and Pau Gasol is fighting with Father Time, with his interior offense an awkward fit with head coach Fred Hoiberg's spread-out style. Sophomore Nikola Mirotic is a scoring explosion waiting to happen, but he gives back a lot of what he gets defensively.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
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LeBron James has had enough success already in his illustrious career to score a lifetime pass to the NBA All-Star Game. But the 30-year-old is a long ways away from needing his status to help secure a roster spot.
His stat sheet might lose some of the volume we've come to expect from the four-time MVP. He's buying rest wherever he can get it, a reasonable action after five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. He's also battling nagging back pain that he might never shake. Sacrificing regular-season quantity for postseason quality is the right choice 11 times out of 10.
Besides, if anyone has stats to spare it's James. He already has the most seasons with at least 25 points, six rebounds and six assists per game in NBA history (11). And his career 27.65 player efficiency rating trails only Hall of Famer Michael Jordan's 27.91.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could have a pair of non-LeBron All-Stars, depending on Kevin Love's level of play and Kyrie Irving's return from knee surgery. But James is such a lock, he might already have an All-Star locker inside the Air Canada Centre.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki
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Name power can be critical to a popularity contest like this, especially when that name is still attached to terrific numbers. Dirk Nowitzki is not only the Dallas Mavericks' most recognizable player, he's also their best—at 37 years old and in his 18th NBA season.
The latter part of that statement is remarkable, but not surprising. His game was always built to age gracefully.
There's not a point when guarding a 7-footer with a dead-eye fadeaway jumper stops being difficult. His speedometer doesn't reach as high as it used to (and he wasn't the fleetest of foot to begin with), and his propensity to stay near the perimeter has cost him free-throw attempts and rebounds. But he's an absurdly talented scorer, and that skill remains present in the box score.
His scoring average has dipped in four of the past five seasons, but he's put up the 10th-most points over that stretch. Another strong offensive season for him seems more likely than an All-Star-quality campaign being put forth by Deron Williams, Chandler Parsons or Wesley Matthews.
Denver Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari
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Injuries and inconsistency have kept Danilo Gallinari from cracking the NBA's elite ranks, but the Denver Nuggets swingman has flashed All-Star ability in spurts.
After last year's All-Star break, for instance, he went for 18.6 points a night while posting a 60.2 true shooting percentage. Of the 25 players to average at least 18 points last season, only three had a true shooting percentage north of 60: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Gallinari hasn't been that type of player over his career—he's a 14.2 points-per-game scorer and 41.6 percent shooter—but he can pack a powerful scoring punch. And he's a capable playmaker when given the opportunity.
The Nuggets need an offensive focal point, and they'll task Gallinari, their highest-paid player, to fill that role. Highly touted rookie Emmanuel Mudiay may eventually inherit the gig, but for now this is Gallinari's team to lead.
Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
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You could see this storm brewing over the offseason.
Stan Van Gundy gave himself the personnel to play his preferred four-out offense. That meant more breathing room and cleaner offensive chances for burgeoning big man Andre Drummond, a physical specimen cut from the same freakish mold as Van Gundy's old All-Star center, Dwight Howard.
Howard powered his way into the superstar ranks during his fourth season. This happens to be the fourth big league campaign for the Detroit Pistons' mountain in the middle.
The stage is perfectly set for Drummond to make this his own leap year. And the opening act suggests that's exactly what might happen, as he captured the season's first Eastern Conference Player of the Week award with per-game marks of 18.7 points, 16.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
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No bold predictions needed here. There's no way the league would have an All-Star Game without its most popular player present.
Stephen Curry's rise to NBA sovereignty was as quick as one of his historically significant three-point bombs. He made his All-Star debut in 2014; one year later he was the leading vote-getter for a starting spot.
Somehow, his career trajectory continues to ascend at a rapid rate. Since the last All-Star event, he has steered the Golden State Warriors to a 67-win season, captured the MVP award, snapped the organization's 40-year championship drought and paced all players in jersey sales.
Oh, and he locked up this season's first Western Conference Player of the Week award by averaging 39.3 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 steals over his first three outings. A flamethrower with in-the-arena shooting range and a disarming baby face, he's an All-Star by both merit and marketability.
Houston Rockets: James Harden
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The players' MVP last season, James Harden was built perfectly for today's pace-and-space, analytically based game.
He makes all the plays that number-crunchers say everyone should. If he's not letting it fly from deep, he's barreling to the basket for a point-blank chance or a pair of free throws. When he's not looking to score, he's making smart passes to teammates, spotting open shooters in the short corners or hitting an athletic finisher with a soft lob pass.
All of it adds up to one powerful offensive machine. Last season, he scored 27.4 points per game and created another 17.1 with his assists. That's almost half the scoring the New York Knicks generated as a team (91.9 points per game).
Harden's game is growing. He posted personal bests nearly across the board in 2014-15, and he made a one-year leap from 60th to 32nd among shooting guards in defensive real plus-minus, via ESPN.com.
He's an All-Star now and continuing to improve. That makes him the logical choice for the Houston Rockets, as Ty Lawson has never reached the All-Star ranks and a banged-up Dwight Howard is clearly declining.
Indiana Pacers: Paul George
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Paul George has the best chance of any Indiana Pacer to snag an All-Star spot, even if he's a bit rusty after losing nearly all of last season to a broken leg.
No one in the Circle City stuffs a stat sheet like George. Monta Ellis scores like a borderline All-Star, but he struggles with efficiency and defense. George Hill has never had the aggressiveness to get his counting categories high enough for consideration. Everyone else fills some type of specialist role, and their numbers underwhelm outside of their go-to talent.
But when George is right, he's a do-it-all star. His strong two-way play netted him Most Improved Player honors during the 2012-13 campaign. By the following season, he earned All-Defensive first-team honors and a spot on the All-NBA third team.
With more weapons around him and potentially some matchups to exploit as a small-ball 4, George could be looking at another round of offensive career highs. If he continues defending at an elite level, he'll be a no-brainer All-Star regardless of where the Pacers sit in the standings.
Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin
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It's quite possible Chris Paul still steers the Los Angeles Clippers' ship inside the locker room. But this looks like the season where the title of team's best player will unequivocally belong to Blake Griffin.
That label has been decided more by preference than anything these past few seasons. Griffin has had the edge in points and rebounds, while Paul has supplied more assists and steals. It's been a 1A-1B situation, which has worked for the Clippers, who get to employ a pair of MVP candidates.
But Griffin looks ready to close those debates. He's scoring, shooting, distributing and rebounding like a madman, displaying a multifaceted skill set that's seldom seen at any position and almost unfair for an athletic 6'10" power forward to possess.
"Everybody knows Griffin is more than just a dunker, but many still don't appreciate the depth of his offensive skills," wrote SB Nation's Jesus Gomez. "He's worked tirelessly on his jump shot and has become one of the most dangerous pick-and-pop threats in the league. ... He can also handle the ball like a guard."
Barring injury, Paul and Griffin are both heading to the All-Star Game. But if there was somehow only one spot available, it looks like it belongs to Griffin.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant
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No, I'm not crazy. And yes, I have seen Kobe Bryant's unsightly shooting percentages (31.4 from the field, 20.7 from downtown).
But remember what we're discussing here: This is each club's most likely All-Star, not necessarily the most deserving one. And based on what we've seen in recent years, there's no reason to believe Bryant's run of 16 consecutive All-Star collections is coming to a close.
During the 2013-14 season, he sandwiched six appearances in between a torn Achilles and a fractured tibia. He was chosen to start the All-Star Game anyways with the fifth-highest vote total. Last season, he made it through 35 games before a torn rotator cuff ended his run. He also shot a career-worst 37.3 percent from the field. Fans still made him a starter, this time with the fourth-most votes.
Short of a sudden retirement, I'm not sure anything can force Bryant out of this spot. Lakers Nation hasn't forgotten what he's given to this franchise, and it's also aware that the leader who will carry them into the next era of purple-and-gold glory has yet to emerge.
Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
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The best way to describe Marc Gasol to a casual fan is to boil down his role to its very essence—he's simply a winner. He does all the little things that hoops students appreciate: pinpoint passes to open receivers, flawless defensive rotations, jarring screens to separate teammates from their defenders.
"He can do almost everything on the court," wrote Bleacher Report's Adam Fromal, "whether he's feeding the rock to his teammates and hitting them right between the numbers, doing the scoring by himself, pulling down rebounds or living up to the grit-and-grind mentality on Beale Street with some fantastic defense."
Gasol's impact isn't always easy to spot on the stat sheet, though good luck finding many other guys capable of providing 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 blocks on a nightly basis. (DeMarcus Cousins was the only other player to clear those marks last season.) But he constantly nudges the scoreboard, as the Grizzlies' were 0.8 points better per 100 possessions when he played in 2014-15.
If there's an another possible All-Star on this roster, it's contract-year Mike Conley. But the Western Conference backcourt field is littered with qualified candidates who have always been chosen over him before. Gasol, whose name carries the added weight of two All-Star trips and a Defensive Player of the Year award, has a better shot at finding his way onto the squad.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
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It's low-hanging fruit for lazy journalists to write off Dwyane Wade as no longer being the same player he was in his younger days. The main piece of evidence: the 19.5 games he's missed on average over the past four seasons. For further "proof," critics point to the eye tests that show less frequent, less explosive aerial assaults.
The simple analysis is true: Wade isn't the same player. No one would be after more than 900 total appearances in regular-season and playoff contests. He picks his spots when he rocks the rim, because there's only so much lift left in his legs. His attacks are equal parts physical and mental nowadays.
But here's what often gets lost in the criticism: He continues making an All-Star-caliber impact. Over his first 11 seasons, he put up 23.9 points and 5.9 assists per 36 minutes. He's been good for 24.4 and 5.5, respectively, during this campaign and last.
There's a consistency with Wade worth discussing that isn't his lengthy battle with knee pain. It's the 11 years he's had with 20-plus points per game and a 20-plus player efficiency rating; only 10 players in league history have ever had more.
That sustained success pushes Wade to the front of a handful of potential All-Stars on the Miami Heat. Chris Bosh has gone to 10 straight All-Star Games, but he's just starting his return from last year's frightening battle with blood clots on his lung. Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic both show hints of All-Star ability, but neither has a selection on his resume.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Milwaukee Bucks phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo won't celebrate his 21st birthday until December. Keep that in mind when he gets into foul trouble or plays a little too loose with his dribble. He's still learning the game.
And don't forget what that means for the skills he already has, either. It's OK to be giddy about his current streak of three consecutive 20-point outbursts. It's fine to let your mind wander when his go-go-gadget arms stretch for a chase-down block or haul in an impossibly high lob pass. For everything we know (and love) about the Greek Freak so far, there's still so much of his story yet to be written.
"At 20 years old and with his frame, skill set and wingspan, he has as much room to grow as anyone in the league," wrote Sports Illustrated's Chris Ballard. "After all, how many other NBA players could conceivably play point guard on offense, as Giannis did at times last season, and center on defense, as the Bucks have discussed doing this year?"
Antetokounmpo has almost limitless potential, but he's not an unknown commodity—he's now a third-year veteran. That gives him a higher ceiling than Greg Monroe and a higher basement than Jabari Parker, Milwaukee's other most likely All-Star candidates.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns
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Since 2000, only two rookies have been selected to the All-Star team: Yao Ming (in 2003) and Blake Griffin (2011). That list probably isn't expanding this season.
But if the Minnesota Timberwolves send anyone to the contest, No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns looks to have the best odds. He double-doubled during his NBA debut (14 points, 12 rebounds). He had 28 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and two assists his next time out. He has converted 57.9 percent of his field-goal attempts and averaged 3.1 rejections per 36 minutes.
"He's scoring in the paint. He's stepping out and soaking mid-range jumpers," wrote ESPN Insider Chad Ford. "He's catching the ball at the top of the key, pump faking and driving to the basket. ... And on the defensive end he's already showing off his shot-blocking and rebounding skills."
The sustainability of this production will ultimately determine if Towns has legitimate All-Star hopes, but he's initially set the bar at that level. Assuming Ricky Rubio's shooting tails off and Kevin Martin provides little outside of scoring (both fairly safe assumptions), the only other All-Star candidate is reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins. But he wasn't the most accurate shooter last season, and he's struggling more this time around.
New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
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For basketball's best of the best, All-Star berths become an annual tradition. Barring injury, this will be the third of many consecutive selections for New Orleans Pelicans soaring star Anthony Davis.
His credentials sound more myth than reality. He's 22 years old and already has the highest single-season player efficiency rating posted by anyone not named Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan or LeBron James (30.8). Last year, Davis' third in the league, he had top-10 averages in points (fourth), rebounds (eighth) and blocks (first).
Entering this campaign, Brow was the consensus pick that general managers would like to build their franchise around. He's since struggled a bit out of the gate, but he's still been good for 23.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a night. Oh, and he's now converting triples at a 44.4 percent clip.
By the time All-Star rosters are taking shape, few players (if any) will have a more compelling case than Davis. And none of them suit up for the injury-plagued Pelicans.
New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony
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The New York Knicks are searching for direction. There's some excitement for the future spurred on by rookie first-rounders Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant. But there's also an obvious focus on the present, with significant free-agency investments made in grizzled veterans Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo.
That makes it tough to tell where the 'Bockers are going. What is clear, however, is who will lead them there: eight-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony.
He's an extreme version of a go-to scorer; his 19.5 field-goal attempts per game not only leads the team, it's nine shots clear of the closest player (Porzingis, 10.5). That's not a criticism, by the way. It's perfectly understandable, since Anthony holds the 12th-highest career scoring average in NBA history (25.20), and he's surrounded only by complementary veterans and still-developing prospects.
By popularity and production, Anthony is an All-Star in every sense. It could be a while before anyone's singing similar praise about any of his teammates.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have two of the game's top players overall: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Debating the All-Star worthiness of two All-Star locks is like basketball's version of choosing your favorite child: There are no right or wrong answers.
But there also aren't any ties in this exercise. With a choice needed, Durant stands slightly above his fellow superstar for a few reasons.
Westbrook hasn't quite reached Durant's level of popularity. KD lost all but 27 games to three knee surgeries last season, yet more people purchased his jersey between April and June than Westbrook's, despite the hyper-athletic point guard having just completed the most productive stretch of his career.
Weighing their stats side-by-side, Westbrook could get the edge in volume, but Durant might have a sizable advantage in efficiency. Throw in the relief of (hopefully) having a fully healthy Durant back in action, and he'll probably land more fan support than his high-flying teammate.
But the simple answer to this debate is avoiding the question altogether—Durant and Westbrook should both keep their calendars clear for All-Star Weekend.
Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo
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The Orlando Magic's rebuilding efforts have been defined more by quantity than quality. There may not be a future superstar on this roster, however, there's a swarm of young prospects with their best basketball ahead of them.
But if the Magic can develop a two-way star sooner than later, my money is on third-year shooting guard Victor Oladipo. He has the skills of a jack of all trades, the motor of a bench guy playing for his job and the opportunity of a franchise face.
If Oladipo can ever harness a consistent shooting stroke, he would rid himself of all glaring weaknesses. That's what pushes him ahead of his Orlando teammates. Nikola Vucevic has struggled to provide reliable rim protection. Tobias Harris can be an offensive black hole and a defensive ball-watcher. Elfrid Payton needs a jump shot, while Aaron Gordon and Mario Hezonja need more polish.
Pose this same question at this time next year, and a different Magic prospect might be ahead of the pack. But the 23-year-old Oladipo currently boasts the best blend of proven ability and upside.
Philadelphia 76ers: Nerlens Noel
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Finding an All-Star candidate on a team that's clearly not playing for the present is every bit as difficult as you'd expect. My selection, Nerlens Noel, sports a grotesque 36.8 field-goal percentage, which would be a woeful mark for a guard and is borderline incomprehensible for a 6'11" post player.
But Philly's backcourt lacks even possible candidates. And its frontcourt features two extremely one-sided players. Noel has defensive versatility, rookie Jahlil Okafor has an an advanced offensive post game. Neither offers much outside of his specialty.
So, why Noel? Because he's closer to elite at what he does best than Okafor is. Last season, Noel joined Hall of Famer David Robinson as the only players to have at least 130 blocks, 130 steals and 600 rebounds in their rookie campaigns. By year's end, Noel had done enough to land on one Defensive Player of the Year ballot.
Okafor will have some big scoring outbursts, but he'll be squeezed for space the longer the Sixers go without a No. 2 option. Noel can shine defensively regardless of what happens around him. In fact, his teammates' mistakes might even serve to highlight his talents.
Phoenix Suns: Eric Bledsoe
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There isn't much separation in the All-Star arguments for Phoenix Suns backcourt mates Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. Both have substantial control over this offensive attack, and each is equipped to do damage as both a scorer and a setup man.
For their careers, Knight has been the more prolific point-producer and more accurate shooter. But Bledsoe typically reaches more areas on the stat sheet. He was one of only a dozen players to have a pair of triple-doubles last season, and his 158 career blocks are already the 11th-most ever recorded by a player standing 6'1" or shorter.
Bledsoe's versatility gives him a wider margin for error than Knight. If the latter has a quiet scoring night, he's not always the most adept at finding other ways to make his mark.
The Suns need both at their best to make any kind of movement in the Western Conference standings. If Phoenix has a playoff pulse at the All-Star break, both guards could be in the running for a roster spot, but Bledsoe seems a half-step ahead of his perimeter peer.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
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Tearing down a 51-win team and rebuilding something significant in its place takes time. There's a pecking order to establish, rotations to iron out and a need for the type of chemistry that only comes with time.
This is where the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves after a mass offseason exodus. But they do have perhaps the biggest piece of the project complete—they've identified two-time All-Star Damian Lillard as their leader and paid him $120 million to play the part.
He'll have all the opportunity needed to keep his All-Star streak alive. Even if third-year guard C.J. McCollum shares more of the scoring load than expected, Lillard will still get the first crack at shots and assist chances this offense creates.
That Lillard plays an aesthetically pleasing, up-and-down style perfect for an exhibition setting only increases his chances to get a call to Toronto.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins
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It wasn't until after DeMarcus Cousins booked his first career All-Star trip last season that the 6'11", 270-pound center started to display the full range of his abilities. Over his final 10 outings, he averaged an absurd 27.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.9 steals.
He couldn't quite match those numbers in his 2015-16 opener, but he did tally 32 points, 13 boards, three assists and one block. Oh, he also buried four three-pointers, matching his previous season high.
"In each of his games this season, and most nights last year, he's looked like a true wonder, something close to unstoppable in the modern NBA," wrote SB Nation's Tom Ziller. "It would appear we've underappreciated Boogie's potential to be legitimately great. Like, MVP consideration great."
No one—family members included—is saying or even thinking those things about another member of the Sacramento Kings. This might be the best supporting cast he's had, but Cousins is clearly the King of this castle.
San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard
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Remember when Kawhi Leonard's rapid rise seemed more like a possibility and not an absolute certainty? Assuming that conversation remained open into this campaign—it's tough to doubt a 24-year-old who's already earned Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors—his start to the season might have sealed it shut.
Leonard opened the campaign by pouring in 32 points and helping hold Durant, a four-time scoring champ, to 6-of-19 shooting. Through four games, Leonard has a pair of double-doubles, a four-block outing and multiple steals every time he's stepped inside the lines.
His time is now. He's clearly the San Antonio Spurs' best defender, and he might be their No. 1 offensive option. Prized newcomer LaMarcus Aldridge can't match that two-way balance, and he's at risk of losing quantity and quality while settling into a new situation after nine seasons in Portland.
Aldridge can still find his way to the All-Star Game, and the ageless Tim Duncan should never be ruled out. But no one's spot feels more secure than Leonard's in the Alamo City.
Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry
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With Toronto hosting the NBA's first All-Star Game outside of the U.S., the Raptors have to represent at the exhibition. They should have a handful of players in the running, but none that moves the needle more than 2015 All-Star starter Kyle Lowry.
He's a floor general in the truest sense, who brings a tone-setting toughness onto the hardwood. He can score from all three levels, wreak havoc in the open floor and frustrate opposing point guards with too-close-for-comfort defense. It wouldn't be shocking to see him pace the Raptors in points, assists and steals this season.
DeMar DeRozan doesn't have a skill set quite that deep, and his lack of a perimeter jumper will always limit his efficiency. Newcomer DeMarre Carroll has supplied a needed set of three-and-D tools, but he's more of a support piece than a star. Jonas Valanciunas still doesn't get the shots or the minutes to make an All-Star leap.
Lowry, in the best shape of his life and perhaps surrounded by his strongest supporting cast, could be in the early stages of a career year. Even if he doesn't leap that high, an All-Star roster spot should be his to lose.
Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert
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Struggling to find the Utah Jazz's strongest All-Star candidate is nothing new, but the reason it's so challenging is. In recent years, it was tough finding anyone on the roster who might even approach consideration. But this season, it's hard picking out the most likely choice from several possibilities.
Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward should both be mentioned more often in the discussion of the league's most underrated talents. Favors is a legitimate 20-point, 10-rebound threat and an effective rim deterrent. Hayward continues creeping closer to the 20-point, five-rebound, five-assist stat line (he was 19.3, 4.9 and 4.1 last season).
Hayward turns 26 in March, and Favors' 25th birthday will come four months later. Either one could be on the verge of an All-Star leap.
But Rudy Gobert is the choice, because he's an elite defender right now. He was the league's most effective rim protector last season, and he's right back near the top of that list this time around. In 2014-15, he was 79th in minutes played and second in total blocks. His promotion to the starting five helped the Jazz rocket from 27th to first in defensive efficiency after the All-Star break.
Washington Wizards: John Wall
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John Wall is already on a short list of the league's top point guards. Give him a consistent three-point stroke, and he'd make that debate awfully interesting.
Even without an outside threat, he's forced his way into the conversation with elite athleticism, incendiary scoring and top-shelf distributing. He's the only player with at least 1,300 points, 700 assists and 100 steals in each of the last two seasons. And he's a highlight waiting to happen, whether he's crushing a dunk or swatting away a transition layup.
With Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman emphasizing stretch bigs and pace, Wall should have a balanced floor to attack. That might mean more points and assists than he's ever recorded.
When the best player on the team gets better, there isn't a more likely All-Star on the roster. But don't be surprised if the Wizards send two guards to the big game, as fourth-year scorer Bradley Beal looks ready for a sizable leap.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.
