There are six first-time NBA All Stars this year. Let’s cover each one and if they are worthy of the selection.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Worthy
This one is a no-brainer. Shai has led this Thunder team to a respectable record and they look like their winning percentage will only increase in the last part of the season. He has averaged nearly 31 points and six assists per game as well.
Tyrese Haliburton Not Worthy
In just his third year Haliburton took a big leap. He is averaging nearly 20 points per game and 10.1 assists per game. His team though is struggling at just 26-34 sitting in 12th in the East. Jalen Brunson may have been more deserving as the Knicks are in sixth and he has averaged four more points per game.
Anthony Edwards Worthy
A big jump has been taken by Anthony Edwards and he looks like a star. Without KAT for most of the season and Rudy Gobert struggling, he has still managed to keep Minnesota relevant as they are eighth in the West while he is averaging 24.9 points and an underrated 1.6 steals per game.
Lauri Markkanen Worthy
Another player who has taken a massive leap. The Jazz were the best team in the NBA for a while until they slipped way down to just 29-31. Regardless, Markkanen has looked like a star averaging 24.9 points and shooting above 41% from three.
De’Aaron Fox Worthy
Fox has been enjoying one of his best seasons as a pro and that has translated in to the Kings having the third best record in the West. After the Kings not making the play-in last year he has turned this team around with his 24.8 points and 6.2 assists per game
Jaren Jackson Jr. Somewhat Worthy
Jackson will put up moderate offensive stats and impressive defensive stats (that are rumored to be inflated by the Grizzlies’ statskeeper). He has a similar role that Aaron Gordon plays for the first-place Nuggets but Jackson got the nod ahead of him. Gordon averages more points, rebounds, and shoots five percent higher than Jackson from three.
Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shai_Gilgeous-Alexander_(51815871018)_(cropped).jpg
