Fansided

The Whiteboard: If Luka Doncic is an All-Star, he’ll join an exclusive club

By Ti Windisch

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 20: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks scores a three point basket against Avery Bradley #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center on December 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 20: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks scores a three point basket against Avery Bradley #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center on December 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Only two rookies have been named All-Stars since 2000, and it’s looking like Luka Doncic could join this rare club this season.

The NBA has named All-Stars since the 1950-51 season. In all of that time, just 45 players have received that honor in their rookie season. As of the latest fan voting returns for the 2019 All-Star game, Luka Doncic seems like he could be in line to be the 46th.

Were it not for the recent rule change that lessened the impact of fan voting, Doncic would be virtually guaranteed a spot thanks to his 3.3 million votes thus far. The players and media have a say now, and coaches pick the reserves, so there are no longer sure things based on fan voting. (This is a very good thing.)

SUBSCRIBE. Get The Whiteboard delivered daily to your email inbox. light

Even with fan voting having less of an impact, Doncic definitely has a chance to be an All-Star this season. The Slovenian rookie making it would be, quite literally, historic. As previously mentioned, in nearly 70 seasons of All-Stars before this one just 45 players have gotten the All-Star nod as rookies. Of those 45, just two have happened since the year 2000. The two names are a fun and difficult bit of trivia: Blake Griffin and Yao Ming.

Doncic would be joining some of the most prestigious names in NBA history were he named to the All-Star team this season. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Tim Duncan are some other members of the club. Not bad company!

More rookie All-Stars make the Hall of Fame than don’t, as 28 of the 44 retired players to shine so early are currently in the Hall of Fame. Once Duncan is enshrined, the number will be 29, or 65 percent of all retired rookie All-Stars.

Hype can be dangerous, but Luka Doncic has deserved all of his thus far. He has a legitimate case to be an All-Star even in the star-heavy Western Conference, and if he pulls off that feat it will just be further evidence that his career is going to be a special one. As if that’s necessary at this point.

#Content you can’t miss

Kyrie is so gloriously weird; Jay King reports on Kyrie Irving’s phone call to LeBron James and his leadership journey

Respect good fake trades; Paul Centopani has 15 trades involving all 30 teams, and here’s the Knicks and the Mavs

The Nets are so fun right now; Phil Watson explains how Spencer Dinwiddie got into a groove for his epic performance against the Rockets

The big 3, tied together still; Joe Vardon reveals the surprise guest who was with LeBron when Kyrie called him

Save it for the llama; Rafe Wong wishes the Kings would give up on their drama

Speaking of All-Stars; Rob Mahoney shares his ballot for All-Star starters

Home/Dallas Mavericks