NBA All-Star Game 2018-19: All-Star caliber guards: Part 2

The 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend is just about 3 weekends away from today. 14 teams in the Western Conference are fighting spiritedly for only eight playoff berths, while the Eastern Conference basement is itself in a state of flux due to the competitiveness of the Nets, Hornets and the Orlando Magic.

All of this means that there are a number of deserving players with the talent and ability to match the actual All-Star selections toe for toe on any given day, but won't be playing at that stage. That much has been obvious given how many breakout seasons we're having from emerging players in a variety of roster situations in 2018-19.

Let's take a look at some of the spectacular guards whose chances of making it to the 18th February festivities in Charlotte are slim only because of external factors, not their own play:

#1 Zach LaVine

Averaging 22.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, former Timberwolves lottery pick Zach LaVine has gotten back on the developmental track that he'd gotten on to during his 3rd season in the league. Following a lackluster return from an ACL surgery at the fag end of last season, questions were asked whether LaVine merited a long-term investment by the Bulls.

Right now, his 4-year, $78 million contract looks well on its way to looking like a steal. LaVine's 3-point percentage is down from 39% at his peak to a less spectacular 34.7% on 5.1 attempts per game today. The biggest challenge for him right now is to establish himself as a praiseworthy defender, as he's proven to be a matador in the past. He has the tools to work on it and improve to become a good defender, but what remains to be seen is how he reaches his potential.

#2 Lou Williams

At this point in his career, everyone in the league knows what Lou Williams is capable of. Don't be fooled by his sixth man label, or his rather low field goal percentages (even though he has a spectacular true shooting percentage) or his volume scoring tendencies. There is not a single team in the league that would not be leagues better off by replacing Williams with their backup point guard - not even the Timberwolves, with all due respect to Derrick Rose.

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is averaging stellar numbers this campaign again, and together with Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris, is the reason why the Clippers look and play like a playoff team this season. Whether or not he makes the All Star game is probably a moot point, but I have a hard time figuring out 5 guards more clutch than him in the Western Conference.

#3 Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell may not have ascended to superstardom straightaway, as a lot of people hoped for from the sophomore. But Spida has proven himself, time and again, over the course of the season, to be a problem for every single defender put in front of him. Unlike other sophomores at his level, Mitchell is genuinely the only shot-creating threat on his team, and every opposition defense is predicated towards denying him his natural scoring areas from access.

Even so, the Don is averaging virtually the same numbers as last season, and after a slow start due to a road-heavy schedule, the Jazz and Mitchell have come together as a unit and are now playing some of their best basketball in recent memory.

#4 Buddy Hield

Portland Trail Blazers v Sacramento Kings

Those of y'all NBA fans who haven't watched the Kings this season, I pity you folks. You're missing out on one of the most promising backcourts across the league taking off from prospects to becoming the actual real deal. Check out Buddy's gamewinner against the Pistons, for instance:

"Off balance, doesn't matter that's Buddy Hield!"; "Triple-team? Doesn't matter that's Buddy Hield!" are the kind of reactions every Twitch chat on a live stream of a Kings game will have. Hield is making the Pelicans rue trading him away so hard right now, and he really should be the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player Discussion right now.

Averaging 20.3 points per game on shooting splits of 48.1% from the field, 45.7% on 3-pointers (on 7.4 3-pointers per game!) and 86.4% from the line, Hield has raised his scoring average by nearly 7 points per game while also improving his volume and efficiency from all ranges.

#5 Derrick Rose

Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers

While the voters have done their best to get D-Rose back to the All Star game after a gap of 7 years, there is no doubt that coaches and players will vote higher-profile players on playoff teams to the Game, which is why I feel it's time give the Windy City Assassin the due he commands for what he brings to the Timberwolves.

Signed for the veteran's minimum contract last season and re-signed for the same pay slab this season, Rose is on easily the league's best contract today. Averaging 19.3 points and 4.8 assists per game while pulling off clutch plays on what seems like a weekly basis, Rose has been the Wolves' best guard BY FAR this season, and is part of the reason why they're still in playoff contention out West.