Fansided

Who could be a first-time All-Star this year?

By Bryan Toporek

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 05: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 05: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 21, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 21, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Much like Ben Simmons in the East, Nikola Jokic is the most likely Western Conference player to receive his first All-Star nod this season. Whereas Jokic was largely a darling of the analytics community in years past, his enormous impact has now become apparent even to NBA luddites this season.

“The thing I like about him the most is he is legitimately trying to make the players around him better,” Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently said. “I mean, for a big guy to pass the ball like he does is incredible.”

Despite playing two fewer minutes per game than he did in 2017-18, Jokic is averaging a career-high 7.3 assists to go along with 18.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.1 triples and 0.7 blocks. Who was the last 7-footer to average seven or more assists, you ask? None other than Wilt Chamberlain back in 1967-68.

When you’re accomplishing something that no other NBA player has done in the past 50 years, that’s typically All-Star worthy.

And unlike Nikola Vucevic, Jokic isn’t putting up his huge numbers on a bad team. Sure, the Nuggets have been forced to lean on him more with Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Gary Harris and Isaiah Thomas all sidelined, but they entered Christmas Day only a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the West.

MVP may be out of reach for Jokic this season, but his first-ever All-Star nod is already in the bag.

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