2019 NBA All-Star Game: Predicting 5 Possible Debutants

Last year, LeBron James was the captain of one of the all-star teams because he was the top vote-getter in the Eastern Conference. Now, with LeBron moving to the Western Conference, it is going to be very interesting to predict the captain from the Eastern Conference.

Also, analysts will be salivating at the likelihood of Stephen Curry and LeBron playing for the same team. The other factor that is going to make the All-star game an interesting affair is the presence of first-time all-stars.

When I started writing the article, I thought it is going to be a challenge to come up with five prospective candidates who will make the All-star teams for the first time. In the end, I was able to zero in on nine prospective candidates who might make one of the all-star teams for the first time in 2019. Out of the nine, I believe that the five players listed below are most likely make the cut.

Note: The honorary mentions are Devin Booker, Dennis Smith Jr., Brandon Ingram, and Clint Capela.

---

#5 Kyle Kuzma

The 2018-2019 season is going to be either a make or break season for Kuzma

The 2018-2019 season is going to be either a make or break season for Kyle Kuzma. However, the qualities he exhibited in his debut season has made most of the experts sit up and take notice. One factor that is going to work to Kuzma's advantage is the presence of LeBron in the Los Angeles Lakers lineup. Both play the same position (small forward) and Kuzma will be able to learn a thing or two about intensity and improve his defensive skills, too.

One more factor that is going to work in Kuzma's favour is the rumored Lakers' version of the death lineup (starting LeBron at center, Ingram at power forward, Kuzma at small forward, Hart at shooting guard, and Ball at point guard).

If this lineup is going to be used in smaller bursts, like the start of every quarter and the majority of the third quarter, Kuzma will be the playing the role played by Draymond Green in the Warriors' death lineup. Since he has a very good three-point shot, the death lineup will give him plenty of catch and shoot possibilities, which in turn will improve his scoring output.

Let us look at some best plays by Kyle Kuzma in the 2017-18 NBA season.

#4 Jaylen Brown

Brown goes for a layup against the Cavaliers

This is a dark horse pick but I believe that Brown is ready to move to the next level in the 2018-2019 season.

With Gordon Hayward's availability still up in the air, Brown will get more chances at the start of the season. Many of the pundits feel that Brown would use the game 7 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals as fodder to exceed expectations in the coming year.

The other factor that works to Brown's favour is his remarkable athleticism. There were times during the Eastern Conference finals when the play-by-play commentators noted that LeBron was tired of chasing Brown around the court. Considering the performance against LeBron, many pundits believe that he will be able to improve in both the offense and defensive categories and present a strong case for selection as a backup in the all-star teams.

Let us look at some of the amazing plays of Brown from the 2017-18 NBA season that justifies my belief in his potential.

#3 Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum was brilliant for Celtics last season

Many experts are still shaking their heads and trying to understand why Jayson Tatum was not selected ahead of Ball and Fultz in the 2017 NBA draft.

Other than Donavan Mitchell, it can be argued that Tatum was the most NBA-ready player from the 2017 class. His step back 3s against the Cavaliers in the Conference finals showcased his Kobe-like mentality; it is no wonder that he idolized Kobe Bryant when he was growing up.

When Kyrie Irving and Hayward come back from their injuries, Tatum might not get the same amount of touches he received last year. However, considering the experience he enjoyed last year, I expect him to continue working on intangible qualities like rebounding and defense-related skills. Also, his continued development during this season will allow Boston to rest easy even if Kyrie and Horford decide to walk away from the team in 2019.

Let us look at some best plays by Tatum in the 2017-18 NBA season.

#2 Donavan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell was runner-up for the rookie of the year

A close runner-up to the eventual winner of the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year award, expect Mitchell to make it to one of the all-star teams.

While Kuzma, Brown, and Tatum has a number of other offensive stars surrounding them, Mitchell has only one defensive star, Rudy Gobert, in his team. This means that Mitchell will be expected to carry the offensive load for Jazz for the upcoming season like he did during the last season.

Mitchell impressed the pundits during the playoffs, too. He started his playoff career even better than Michael Jordan; in his first two games, Mitchell scored 55 points for the Jazz.

With the dearth of quality shooting guards in the league, expect Mitchell to be ranked in the top echelons of the shooting guard category in the league sooner rather than later. If the Jazz manages to sign or trade for one more bonafide offensive player, like Karl Anthony Towns, we can expect the Jazz to give stiff completion to the Warriors, too.

The top 10 plays by Donavan Mitchell in the 2017-18 NBA season will show everyone the potential of Mitchell.

#1 Ben Simmons

The reigning Rookie of the Year award winner is going to be an automatic pick in the 2019 all-star game

The reigning Rookie of the Year award winner is going to be an automatic pick in the 2019 all-star game. He is being dubbed as LeBron 2.0 for his floor vision and ability to make his teammates better.

Last year he missed out of an all-star berth by a whisker and this year should be a no-brainer. Most of the experts predict that both Joel Embid and Ben Simmons will make multiple all-star teams and lead Philly back to their glory years.

One more reason why Simmons is a pick for the all-star team is that he lacks the ego of sharing the rock with another bonafide all-star, Joel Embiid. Also, the role that Simmons plays on the 76ers team is going to revolutionize the game of basketball in the future; a 6 11' player who is a PG.

The only thing that might block Simmons debut in the all-star game is if he re-aggravates his injury that occurred during the 2016-17 season. Overall, I would like to stick my neck out an state that Simmons is the most likely candidate to make the all-star team for the first time in 2019.

Let us look at some of the awesome plays by Ben Simmons in the 2017-18 NBA season.