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The 2020-21 NBA season is less than a fortnight away and is set to be tightly contested with several teams bolstering their rosters, such as the LA Lakers and Phoenix Suns. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the season is also likely to be very turbulent. This means it is currently doubtful whether we will witness a 2020-21 NBA All-Star game. However, players worthy of selection will still be announced by the league.
Every year there is widespread discussion surrounding the All-Star game and more importantly, which players have been included or left out from the selection process. This article will take a look at 5 players who could make their All-Star debut. Although they may not be able to participate in the showcase, the players will be rewarded for their performances.
5 Possible debutants for the 2020-21 NBA All-Star selection
#1 Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray was one of the standout stars of the Denver Nuggets youthful side last season, shooting 88% from the line and averaging 18.5 points. Although he is young, Murray could add more assists to his game to make him a quintessential point guard. However, he showed no signs of inexperience when it came to the playoffs, bursting onto everybody's radars. His significant improvement makes him a likely candidate to receive an NBA All-Star selection this year.
Murray became the first NBA player since Michael Jordan to score 40+ points in three straight playoff matches, helping the Nuggets to overhaul a 3-1 deficit against the Utah Jazz. Repeating their outstanding comeback against the LA Clippers in the next round, Murray had another 40-point game in his side's crucial Game 7 win.
The Denver Nuggets are tipped to be dark horses in the West this season. If they continue to replicate their performances in the bubble, Jamal Murray could be a certain NBA All-Star pick.
#2 Zion Williamson
The New Orleans Pelicans are another franchise looking to their young roster for success this season. With last year's No.1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Pelicans selected Zion Williamson. Although the power forward had to wait until January to make his debut, he went on to average 22.5 points and 6 rebounds. Alongside teammate Brandon Ingram, who made his All-Star debut last year, Zion Williamson will hope he too can be selected to the NBA All-Star team.
Williamson was possibly the most anticipated rookie of the league since LeBron James and even got a mention in some Rookie of the Year conversations despite his injury-hit first year. Zion will be able to start fresh this season though and has a high chance of making the NBA All-Star team as not only a talented but a popular player among fans and the media.
#3 Dennis Schröder
Brought in to replace the departing Rajon Rondo and give the LA Lakers more depth at point guard this offseason was Dennis Schröder. The German guard will be hoping to be selected to his first NBA-All Star team. The one negating factor for Schröder's selection is whether he starts from the bench or not. Schröder has epitomized what an NBA sixth-man should be for the past two seasons - a versatile player who is also a high percentage scorer.
Schröder has made his intentions clear though, stating that he's done with being a bench contributor and wants to make a starting berth his own. And why shouldn't he? Schröder averaged 19 points last season and was inevitably brought into the Lakers to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With Schröder starting, the Lakers could be even more offensively clinical this season and the German could be receiving his first NBA All-Star call-up.
#4 Fred VanVleet
Considering Fred VanVleet was pivotal in the Toronto Raptors' incredible NBA Championship run, it's surprising he hasn't been selected as an NBA All-Star yet. Granted, his numbers haven't necessarily warranted being chosen. However, his game has developed dramatically over the past two seasons and could be a definite contender for the All-Star game this year.
VanVleet signed a 4-year, $85 million contract with the Raptors this offseason, showing both the faith and reliance the franchise have for their young shooting guard. VanVleet averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 assists last year and dominated the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs.
The 26-year-old will face a much stiffer test this season, however, without teammates Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. Furthermore, several teams in the East such as the aforementioned Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks have gotten stronger this offseason. VanVleet has what it takes though to gain his first NBA All-Star selection. He epitomizes the Raptors organization with his steely play and will hope to follow in teammate Kyle Lowry's footprints, who has made 6 All-Star appearances.
#5 DeAndre Ayton
The final member of our list is the Phoenix Suns' center DeAndre Ayton. Although Ayton only managed to play 38 games last season, the 22-year-old averaged 18 points and 11.5 rebounds. If Ayton had maintained those numbers while playing more, it would have put him 6th in the league for rebounds per game. The Phoenix Suns drafted Ayton with their No.1 overall pick in 2018 and are hoping that he and Devin Booker can lead the side back into contention in the West after missing the playoffs for the past decade.
Ayton will benefit greatly from Chris Paul's arrival at the franchise and we could see the big man's numbers increase exponentially. Paul served up countless lobs for DeAndre Jordan in L.A. and could help Ayton to his first All-Star appearance. In fact, if Phoenix hit the ground running we could see all three of Paul, Booker and Ayton in contention for All-Star selection.
