25 First-Time Candidates Who Could Be In The 2011 NBA All-Star Game
Every year when the All-Star Teams are announced, and a select group of players will play in an exhibition game as the greatest players in the world, there are a few new faces, people that have not been in this position before, and players having the best years of their careers.
These are the first time selections, and in the photo provided, these are just some of the players who could be selected to the All-Star teams for the first time.
Here are 25 players would could be seeing their first All-Star Selection based on their performance this year.
25. Nene
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Defense normally won't get you into an All-Star Game, but then again, having the best field goal percentage in the NBA isn't exactly a defensive statistic.
Nene has been a solid player in the NBA for years, and he's poised for a little bit of a breakout this year.
He's already putting up some of the best numbers he's had in years, and with all of the 'Melo drama, it's about time someone stepped it up in Denver.
Nene isn't exactly a close nominee, but he does have the advantage of being a center, where not many All-Stars come from.
24. John Wall
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It's very infrequent that you see a rookie in the All-Star Game. It's also very infrequent that you'd see two. Unfortunately for John Wall, that's probably what would have to happen in order for him to suit up for the Eastern Conference All-Stars this year.
John is a very good basketball player, and there's no cause for concern with his numbers, as he's among the league leaders in assists and steals.
But John is been inferior to Blake Griffin all season long, and while he's still in the running for ROY, Blake has pretty much taken him out of the contest for becoming an NBA All-Star.
At least for this season.
23. Emeka Okafor
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It's hard to put Emeka into the contest here for an All-Star candidate. The Hornets' success in the beginning of the year would should almost completely been given credit to Chris Paul than the rest of the Hornets.
Still, it's been an all right year for Emeka, and as the No. 2 pick in 2004, he's still a great ballplayer. If they really start to run out of options at center, he'll get his nod sooner or later.
If the Hornets return to their old form, he'll get it sooner rather than later.
22. Stephen Jackson
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It's very surprising to realize that Stephen has never been an All-Star. He's been one of the best players in the NBA, and one of the top players with nothing to show for it.
The problem is, he's currently the second fiddle on a bad team. Last year, Charlotte finally got their dues with an All-Star selection in Gerald Wallace, and their first playoff berth ever. However, Gerald's Bobcats have slid into a much lower position this year, so things aren't looking up for Stephen Jackson.
He could nab his first slot if there are a lot of injuries, and he starts playing fantastic b-ball, but right now it looks like the Bobcats' Scottie Pippen may have to accept never getting his slot on the team.
21. Tyreke Evans
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Teams that have the fewest number of wins in the NBA simply don't get All-Star selections. Period.
However, if the Kings can pick up things a little bit this season, there's no reason why Tyreke can't at least put himself in the contenders for an All-Star selection.
He's still putting up 17 per game, with 5 assists, and a few steals per game.
20. Andrea Bargnani
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Toronto was at one point 8-11 this season. My best prediction for the team would've probably been 8-74. How the Raptors have been playing so well was a mystery before I looked at Andrea Bargnani.
His resume includes 21 points per game, almost 6 rebounds, and a team that was starting to have a good record. Fans in Toronto who want to just move past the Chris Bosh era have been given a small reason to do so with Andrea Bargnani.
If they return to 8-11 form, they've got to get some kind of recognition.
19. Marc Gasol
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There's no denying that the Grizzlies have dipped a little bit from their 2010 record that was shadowing .500 all year.
However, Marc is starting to become one of the elite centers in the NBA. Twelve points and eight rebounds aren't amazing figures, but his style of play has been getting himself some attention, and the OJ Mayo situation is what is currently holding Memphis back.
If they can move past that, he'll been an All-Star soon.
18. Blake Griffin
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Again, rookies are not put into All-Star games, period.
But, Blake has been the reason to watch the Clippers this season. His flash is exactly what should be in the All-Star game.
The Clippers record on the other hand, is one of the major reasons to keep him out of the All-Star game.
Other than the fact that rookies don't make the All-Star teams.
17. Luis Scola
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If you've seen a Rockets game this year, chances are you've seen Scola shine. Why? Because he's been one of the only consistent Rocket this whole year. Yao has been so up and down, and Brooks hasn't been much better.
But Scola is finally putting his name back into the running for most improved player of the year, a spot that he occupied years ago when he first got noticed in the NBA.
Scola isn't going to be a perennial All-Star at this point in his career, but he may get the selection one year if his numbers are solid.
16. Michael Beasley
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How could the second-best player on a bad team possibly be in the running for making the All-Star team?
Well, let's start of with the reasoning behind why he could be on this list. He was the No. 2 overall pick, and his numbers show that he's been playing solid ball.
Although Minnesota has made it pretty clear that their guy is Kevin Love, Beasley is their go to guy on offense, and he's been playing solid defense as well.
It's also his breakout year in the league, and he's third on ESPN's list for most improved player of the year. The problem is that Kevin Love is first.
If he can make the claim that he is at the same level or better than K-Love, he'll be in contention to play in Los Angeles. The Wolves' 6-17 record doesn't help, though.
15. Eric Gordon
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Eric has been playing great basketball this year. The problem is, it's being overshadowed by a number of factors.
The Clippers record is the worst in the NBA. That's not good, obviously. Blake Griffin has also been the shinning star of the Clippers.
He's the one getting the media attention, and has everyone watching him. The issue of what to do with Baron Davis is also taking some attention from him as well.
However, Eric is the most likely Clipper to get the selection. Blake won't simply because he's a rookie, and rookies don't usually get All-Star selections, and so the next logical choice would be Eric.
The bad news is, the All-Star committee has no need to give an All-Star selection to a Clipper.
14. Brandon Jennings
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Milwaukee scared the Hawks in the first round of the players last season, and looked to be even better this season. That's not what happened though, and the Bucks are barely in the top eight in the Eastern Conference, and are almost .400 on the year.
Not exactly a reason to give Brandon an All-Star selection.
But Brandon is one of the best point guards in the NBA. As last year was the year of the point guard when it comes to the draft, it was hard to see anyone assert themselves as one of the best.
However, Brandon did that, becoming one of the leaders of a young Bucks team.
If they can pick themselves up, he may get to play in LA.
13. Stephen Curry
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Stephen Curry might be the best player on a pretty good Golden State team.
That might is what's holding him back.
Right now, he looks like he's the best player. He's putting up better numbers, playing some pretty solid basketball, and is pretty highly ranked on the ESPN "per" rankings. However, it's the teammates around him that would prevent him from going to the All-Star game.
Because Monta Ellis and David Lee both play for the Warriors, the powers that be would be way more likely to put one of them into the All-Star game instead of Curry.
If he can prove that he's the best player on this team, he'll be an All-Star.
12. Roy Hibbert
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Roy is making a push for the Most Improved Player of the Year, and that can also result in an All-Star berth from time to time.
However, being a center in the NBA usually makes it a lot easier to be an All-Star.
There aren't a whole lot of elite centers, so there's usually some players either disguised as centers (Amar'e Stoudemire), or who get in that haven't fully earned it (Al Horford).
This may give Roy the opportunity he's been waiting for.
11. Monta Ellis
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Monta may get some love from the All-Star committee this year.
The Golden State Warriors got off to a completely ridiculous start before they started slumping as of recently. This could be credited a lot to Monta Ellis.
It's debatable whether or not Curry or Ellis is the best player on the Warriors. However, it's very clear that Monta is the man in Golden State.
He's been there longer, and that definitely means something to the All-Star voting coaches. If the Warriors record starts to take the form of what it was earlier in the year, Monta will be playing in LA.
10. Tyson Chandler
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Tyson has not been an All-Star yet. That's a little surprising.
He may get the chance this year as the Mavericks are becoming one of the best teams in the NBA. They can give a lot of the credit to the arrival of Tyson, who has been been great since playing for Team USA this summer.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the All-Star game usually is in need of some centers. Seeing how Tyson has earned a lot playing in the NBA, he should have earned this spot a while ago.
If there aren't a whole lot of other options in the West (which there aren't), he could very easily get the nod.
9. Andre Iguodala
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This is just overdue for Andre.
Andre has been playing at an All-Star level for many years. The only catch is that his team is in a bit of a slump where they haven't been making the playoffs. Andre has been consistent in how he's been playing the past few years, though.
There are many rumors that would say that a trade is inevitable for Andre. However, this may not be such a bad thing. If there's a better opportunity on a different team, a path may open up for Andre. If they trade him to a bad team where he can step up and become a leader, and improve their record, he'll be an All-Star for sure.
One of the few times that a player has a better likelihood of being an All-Star if he was traded.
8. Josh Smith
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Josh deserved this honor last year.
When things are going right with the Hawks, people give credit to Joe Johnson. When they're exceptional, they put a lot of the credit on Josh Smith. However last year, it was Al Horford who got the nod to play in the All-Star game.
Josh got a bit robbed.
However, the Hawks are playing a little better than expected this season, and if they can do it consistently, Josh should get his recognition, especially with Joe Johnson missing some playing time this year.
7. Raymond Felton
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Ray may benefit from being on a good team.
Amar'e Stoudemire is a perennial All-Star, so it's a given that he would be in the All-Star game. You don't have to think twice. But if the All-Star voters want to give a little something extra to NYC, they should give the nod to Raymond Felton.
The point guard is having a comeback year with the Knicks, and is showing them that he wasn't just wasted cap money, but that he's really here to play ball.
He's the type of player that you want in the All-Star game: a high draft pick, "ready to play basketball" player who dominates.
And if New York can keep themselves in a good position in the standings, he'll be their second All-Star.
6. Andrew Bogut
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Andrew Bogut is the second-best center in the Eastern Conference. Based on that alone, he should be an All-Star.
However, there's a lot that would be getting in Andrew's way. His team does not have a good record this season. It's actually safe to say that they are playing pretty poorly.
Also, he's not the best on his team. He's not the second fiddle, but he's holding a tight race with Brandon Jennings as to who's really "the man" in Milwaukee.
With all of that considered, he's still a dynamite player, and should be in the game, but a second-best player on a bad team doesn't exactly make a good case for yourself. If Andrew can avoid either of those things, then he should be in the game.
5. Rudy Gay
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Rudy has become the man in Memphis. That's a clear argument as to why he should be playing in the All-Star game.
Last year, Memphis got their All-Star in Zach Randolph. A player who deserved at least one appearance, it was appropriate for the circumstances last year. But this year's different.
Now it's Rudy's team. He was given a huge extension, and now it's his turf in Memphis. And with Memphis struggling a little bit, it may not be a given that he'll play, but it certainly wouldn't be crazy to call him a candidate.
Rudy will see time in an All-Star game. Maybe not this year, but when Memphis is playing to a record over .500, he'll be in it for sure.
4. Al Jefferson
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Give credit where credit is due. The Jazz are the third best in the West, and Jefferson is one of the biggest reasons why. Since the trade, the Jazz have been on a roll, becoming one of the biggest challenges that could face the Lakers in the West.
Jefferson has been waiting for this as well. Some solid years in Minnesota as the No. 1 guy haven't earned him a selection yet, but now he's the No. 2 on a fantastic team. That's what usually gets All-Star selections (see Al Horford in 2010, Okur in 2007).
It's his time.
3. Joakim Noah
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There's no reason why Joakim shouldn't be on the All-Star list this year. He's a fantastic player on a fantastic team.
The Bulls are really rocking this season, only trailing behind the Magic, Celtics, and Heat for the first seed in the East. Joakim has had a lot to do with that recent success.
However, one of the bigger questions is, how big of an impact has Carlos Boozer had? When he came, that's when the Bulls really started to take off, and they're not good enough of a team to have 3 All-Stars coming from their squad.
If Boozer doesn't get an All-Star nod, Joakim will. Especially considering that he's a center.
2. Kevin Love
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It's almost insulting to just point out that he's the league leader in rebounds. He's the league dominator in rebounds.
No one has been putting up more impressive numbers in this season than Kevin Love. Every morning after a Wolves game you can turn on SportsCenter and hear something he did last night that hasn't been done in over 20 years.
How you could not insert this kind of talent in the All-Star Game would purely have to do with the Wolves record, but even with it being as bad as it is... Love is just being ridiculous right now.
1. Russell Westbrook
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He's more of a candidate for MVP than he is a candidate for just the All-Star Game.
Russell has been absolutely outstanding this season, and he has his numbers to show for it, the most impressive of which might be his team's record: 16-8. He has been the primary contributor to that number, and he has been the man in OKC without Kevin Durant.
Don't like that statistic? Well then how about this. He's the league leader in "PER," which is the combination between points, rebounds, and assists. Boo-yah.
