NBA All-Star voting began on Wednesday, spotlighting a revamped format featuring a Team USA vs. Team World twist through a round-robin tournament. The article highlights potential first-time selections, categorizing players based on their strong performances this season. Locks include Jalen Duren and Jalen Johnson, while others like Norm Powell remain on the bubble.
The NBA is set to introduce a fresh All-Star format on February 15, transforming the showcase into a mini-tournament with three teams of eight players each, totaling 24 participants without positional limits and 12 from each conference. Each team will play once in a round-robin setup: Team A versus Team B, with the winner facing Team C and the loser doing the same, all in 12-minute periods. The top two teams advance to a championship game, using point differential as a tiebreaker if needed.
Focusing on first-time All-Stars, the analysis uses a personal games-played threshold of about 20 contests by December 19, equivalent to 79% of the season. Players are grouped into 'Clear Your Schedule' for locks, 'Stay Ready' for bubble candidates, and 'Make Sure Your Vacation Is Refundable' for long shots.
In the locks category, Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren anchors the East-leading team with career-best averages of 18 points on 62.9% shooting on two-pointers, 11 rebounds including 4.2 offensive, 0.9 steals, and 1 block. His screen-setting aids MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, and he excels in short-roll scoring at 53% on floaters while driving efficiently at 1.18 points per possession. Defensively, the Pistons allow just 0.8 points per possession on his ball-screen defense, second only to Steven Adams.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson delivers 23.6 points on 57/39/82 shooting splits and 62% true shooting, plus 10.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.6 steals, joining Nikola Jokić as one of two players averaging 20-10-8-1. He thrives as a grab-and-go threat, high-post hub, and driver, shooting 41% on midrange jumpers, up from 37% last season, and held the fort during Trae Young's 22-game absence.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, before a calf strain, posted 27.8 points on 61/37/88 splits, 5.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1 steal, enhancing his playmaking and off-dribble threes. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren averages nearly 19 points in 29 minutes, hitting over 40% on threes for the first time and 53% on midrange shots, bolstering a top regular-season team defensively.
Bubble players include Miami Heat guard Norm Powell at career highs of 24.4 points on 54/43/86 splits, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, utilized via handoffs and screens. Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, sidelined by a high ankle sprain, averages 22.7 points on 54/36/82, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals, contributing to paint attacks and top-10 defense. Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray hits career highs of 25.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists on 45.6% shooting, with elite drive efficiency at 1.17 points per possession.
Long-shot candidates feature Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey with 20.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists, plus 40.4% on 4.8 three-point attempts. Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. averages nearly 26 points at 39.6% on 9.2 threes, schemed as an off-ball weapon alongside Nicolas Claxton. Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija leads the league with 527 drives at 1.10 points per possession, averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists amid injuries.
