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5 NBA players who could be first time All-Stars

By Greg Patuto

Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA All-Star weekend is one of the best weekends in sports. Here are five players who could be making their first appearance there this year.

The 2016-2017 NBA season is in well underway and players are all competing for the same goal, an NBA title. The offseason was exciting and busy with players signing crazy contracts. With the season finally here, we are all anxious to see what everyone does.

Players came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. Russell Westbrook is averaging a near triple-double with 32 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game. James Harden might be trying to prove that he is the best player in the league. He is averaging 30.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 12.6 assists per game. And probably most surprising of all, DeMar DeRozan is leading the league with 34 points pet game. He has scored 30 points in all but two games this year, including two games with 40.

One thing that all of those players have in common is that they have all been All-Stars before. This year there could be a few guys on the rosters that have never been there before. There are many talented young players and many guys who have been snubs in previous years. These are five guys who could make their first All-Star appearance in 2017.

Nov 15, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles the ball up court in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles the ball up court in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker is known for a lot in the state of Connecticut. Who can forget Walker leading UConn to five wins in five days to win the Big East tournament, and then carrying that momentum into the NCAA tournament to win it all? The key play in all of that was Walker’s step back jumper that beat Pitt at the buzzer.

Walker is beginning to make a name for himself in Charlotte too. The Hornets are off to an 8-3 start and have early hopes for playoff basketball. This is a lot because of the play of Walker. He is averaging 25.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. These numbers could earn him his first All-Star game appearance as a pro.

Many believed that Walker was snubbed last year when he was not selected and the conversation has begun already this year. Last year he averaged 20.9 points per game and that number is up this year so far. Walker is showing his ability to score and lead a team to wins.

The main argument when it comes to the topic of Walker being an All-Star is all of the point guard talent in the Eastern Conference. We’re talking about a conference that has Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry and John Wall playing in it. So far, Walker leads all Eastern Conference point guards in scoring. This could be the year that Walker makes the triumphant leap from above average NBA player to NBA All-Star.

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