Deron Williams, Al Jefferson, Jose Calderon Could Become All-Stars This Season

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The NBA All-Star Weekend is one of the largest global events of the League. The All-Star game is broadcasted all over the world. For a player, making the All-Star team is a curriculum issue.

When a player retires, everyone will mention his All-Star appearances. Of course it is not as important as advancing to the postseason and making the Finals, but making the All-Stars is a good statistic by which to measure a player’s career.

Some players are perennial All Stars. Guys such as Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki have been at the game for at least seven times each one. In last year's All-Star Game, which took place at New Orleans, the average All-Star appearances was close to five.

Only Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, and David West made their All-Star debut, and none were selected by the fans. Well, at this point, it’s clear that it's hard to be a newcomer at the All-Stars, but there are many players who will have a shot to break into the 2009 team. 

Deron Williams

A safe pick here.

Yes, D-Will has not made the All-Stars yet. Over the last couple of seasons he has contributed outstanding numbers, and he has led his team through the NBA Playoffs. Last year, for example he had 18.8 ppg and 10.5 apg.

The main factor of his All-Star absence is that his position is very mediated at the West. In 2008, Iverson was the starting point guard, with Chris Paul and Steve Nash backing him up. Iverson is an unbelievable player but being an African-American icon and an all around the world youth icon helps him in the balloting.  

This year, he will make the All-Star again; CP3 too, but I think that Nash should be relegated. I’m not sure if the Suns are going to make a good season, but I’m sure that Nash won’t. A new era has begun at Phoenix, and without D’Antoni’s system Nash won’t put previous seasons’ numbers on the board and his game will also be less spectacular.


Al Jefferson

This guy was the gem that the Boston Celtics sent to Minnesota in Kevin Garnett’s trade.

Jefferson, who is entering his fifth NBA season, is one of the best power forwards in the league. Last year he scored 21ppg and grabbed over 11rpg. He is the go-to-guy at Minnesota and he has not reached his peak yet.

His skills and his numbers are awesome, but he has a huge problem. He has always played for losing teams. In his breakout season at Boston, they won less than 20 games, and last year he didn’t improve the team's overall wins but trailed the previous season's total wins by 10 games. For this reason, he hasn’t got the credit he deserves.  

On the flip side, his talent and his athletic abilities will send him directly to the All-Star game. Nowitzki and Duncan will make it for sure, but Jefferson should be with David West and Carlos Boozer battling for the other two spots.


Jose Calderon

Before calling this a homer, let’s take a look at the Eastern Conference environment.

Last year Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups were the team’s point guards. With Kidd at Dallas, and with Billups getting older, I think that there is clearly an empty space at the PG position. It’s a fact that Arenas will be back at the All-Star game, but there are still places to fill.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Calderon fills this space. He is going to be a full-time starter, and he has plenty of talent around him. Moreover, the Raptors should win a bunch of games this year.

For all these reasons, I think that the Spaniard has a chance to make the All-Star game if he performs as expected.

Honorable Mentions

Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers) and Andris Biedrins (Golden State Warriors)