With the NBA All-Star game just around the corner could these season headliners make it to their first ever all-star weekend?
The 2018-19 NBA season is nearing the halfway point and already so many stars have shown why they should be heading to Charlotte, North Carolina in February. All-Star voting has just recently begun and already unexpected names are competing with the greats of the league.
With talent to the brim this year it’ll be interesting to see who will get their first shot at All-Star greatness and who will get snubbed for the bigger names in the league. In anticipation, we will take a look at six potential first-time NBA All-Stars that have certainly looked the part so far this season.
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
The eight-year veteran for the Orlando Magic is truly making a name for both himself and his team this season. Nikola Vucevic, while not as well known or noticed as other big men in the league, is putting up some impressive numbers averaging career highs in points (20.2), rebounds (12), and assists (3.7) per game.
Vucevic is also shooting 53.1 percent from the field, something he has never been able to do before. An argument could be made for Vucevic to not be an All-Star when it comes to his overall team’s success. The Magic haven’t made the playoffs since the 2011-12 season and have had a lottery pick each year after.
However, All-Star criteria focuses more on individual talent rather than general team performance, and it’s safe to say that Vucevic this season has acquired some All-Star caliber numbers and recognition.