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The 2019 NBA All-Star game will be held on February 17, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are going to be 12 players each from the Eastern and Western Conference but the format remains just like the season.
Last year, there were six debutants in the All-Star game. They were Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, Goran Dragic of the Miami Heat, Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers, Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks, and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now, let’s take a look at five players from the Eastern Conference who could make their All-Star game debut in Charlotte.
#5 Khris Middleton
The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the best teams in the NBA this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like an MVP as he carries the Bucks every night. However, he needs some help and Khris Middleton is providing him that on a nightly basis. Middleton has been a borderline All-Star this past couple of years but this season might be his year.
Middleton is averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season. He is having somewhat of a down year but he still puts up big numbers for the Bucks. He also contributes on both ends of the floor which might be good for his chances.
Also, coaches might award the Bucks for having a great record by giving them two representatives for the All-Star game. Of course, Giannis is a lock to make it while Middleton would need to at least improve in the next three months.
#4 Josh Richardson
The 40th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Josh Richardson has come along way in four years in the league. After an up and down first two seasons in the league, Richardson established himself as one of the franchise cornerstones of the Miami Heat last season. He showed everyone that he deserved the four-year, $42 million deal that Heat gave him in the summer of 2017.
In his fourth year in the NBA, Richardson is a having a career year by averaging 20.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals for the Heat. He is also shooting 41.1 percent from deep and 84.4 percent from the charity stripe.
With the Eastern Conference lacking in star power, Richardson could sneak into the final All-Star spot or as a potential replacement if someone gets injured. While a losing record does not help his case, Miami has the knack for turning it around especially after New Year.
#3 Zach LaVine
The NBA rarely awards losing besides the draft lottery and the Rookie of the Year. There are some cases when a player is having a great season and he makes the All-Star game like Kevin Love in 2011 or Kyrie Irving in 2013. Zach LaVine could be the latest since he is having a monster season for the lowly Chicago Bulls.
LaVine is currently 10th in scoring as he averages 25.0 points in 23 games while also adding 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.0 steals. There is a chance that LaVine could sneak into his first All-Star game if coaches decide to reward his career season despite his team’s record. He will have some stiff competition for possibly the final spot including Kyle Lowry, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Victor Oladipo.
If the Bulls can somehow become competitive in the next couple of months, LaVine might make it to the All-Star game. One silver lining for LaVine is that he is the frontrunner to win the Most Improve Player Award at the end of the season.
#2 Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons was snubbed from the All-Star game last season despite having one of the most impressive rookie seasons in history. Simmons was hoping to be an All-Star replacement last year but the NBA chose Paul George, Andre Drummond, Goran Dragic, and Kemba Walker instead of him.
This season, Simmons still does not have a three-point shot but he makes it up for it in other ways. He is averaging 15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.4 steals this season. The Sixers are currently third in the Eastern Conference and they will likely sustain until February.
However, the only hindrance for Simmons is that the Sixers already Joel Embiid, who is surely a lock to make the All-Star game. Philly also acquired Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves and he is averaging 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Butler will get some consideration for a spot and he might make it rather than Simmons.
#1 Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic is playing out his mind for the Orlando Magic this season. In 23 games, Vucevic is averaging 21.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks. He is also shooting 55.3 percent from the field 40.9 percent from threes.
The 28-year-old center is leading the Magic to a surprising 11-12 record and they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs if they can keep it up. Vucevic is almost a lock to make his first All-Star game just because he plays in the East.
His only competition in the frontcourt are Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. He is playing much better than his Eastern counterparts such as Al Horford, Blake Griffin, and Andre Drummond.
If the Magic can sustain their unexpected start, Vucevic will surely be rewarded with an All-Star nod. But if Orlando decides to cash-in on him, he could be heading to a different team before the All-Star game.
