Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2022-23: 5 players most likely to be first-time All-Stars

By Ian Levy

Jan 9, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
May 6, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) warms up before game three of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) warms up before game three of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Mikal Bridges, Forward, Phoenix Suns

Bridges will face some stiff competition as well with Zion Williamson, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George back on the court and healthy and Jerami Grant joining an already deep crop of Western Conference forwards with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, Bridges has already established himself as one of the best wing defenders in the conference, making First Team All-Defense last season and finishing as the runner-up in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Bridges is still very much a complementary player on offense but he nearly doubled the number of unassisted, non-putback 2-pointers he made last season and he’s been one of the best spot-up shooters in the league over the past two seasons. If he continues to play elite defense, bumps up his offensive primacy just a bit and pushes his scoring average towards 17 or 18 points per game, he could have a strong case, especially if injuries take their toll elsewhere.

Home/Memphis Grizzlies