NBA All-Star Predictions 2016: Karl-Anthony Towns Leads Potential All-Star First-Timers
The Greek Freak, GOATzingis and more players for their first All-Star selection.
The 2016-17 NBA season promises to be one of the most unpredictable ones yet. Fans might still be reeling from the departures of surefire hall-of-famers Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, but are presented with interesting scenarios in the upcoming 82 games.
The Golden State Warriors are of course the biggest news so far, with Kevin Durant joining Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to form a superteam in Oakland. These four players, and the LeBron James-Kyrie Irving duo in Cleveland, are the top-billed players to watch next season.
However, this year is packed with rising talent and underappreciated stars that may finally be noticed by the American basketball community. Picking from rookies to indispensable young guns, the ESPN Forecast panel voted the top superstars who are poised to get their first All-Star selection.
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1. Karl-Anthony Towns
So far, the Minnesota Timberwolves' rebuilding project is paying off, thanks in no small part to the performance of their youngsters. The arrival of Kris Dunn will bolster an already impressive lineup of Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and their potential superstar Towns.
The reigning Rookie of the Year averaged a double-double in scoring (18.3 points per game) and rebounds (10.5 per game). The Kentucky standout had also proven he can strike it from deep, which can stretch the floor for the Wolves and open up the lane for Wiggins and LaVine.
Not only did he win last year's All-Star Skills Challenge, the seven-footer is also in MVP talks if he could carry Minnesota back to its Kevin Garnett glory days.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
An ordinary player billed at 6'11", 222 pounds with a 7'4" wingspan would usually find himself in the frontcourt. Antetokounmpo, however, is no ordinary player.
"The Greek Freak" is currently the biggest full-time point guard in the NBA, at least in the second half of last season. With the versatility to play all five positions, he turned in terrific numbers on both ends. He recorded 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 steals per night. With his whole career ahead of him, Antetokounmpo is definitely something to watch out for.
3. Deandre Jordan
The Los Angeles Clippers' stalwart bigman was named to the First Team All-NBA last season, and it was a well-deserved award. Jordan averaged 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, establishing himself as one of the best centers in the league.
While he delivered a commanding performance in the field (70.3 percent), Jordan still has to work on his free throws, shooting only 43 percent from the line and being an easy Hack-a-Jordan target.
4. Kristaps Porzingis and Kemba Walker
"GOATzingis" proved doubtful New Yorkers wrong when entered the Rookie of the Year conversation with a versatile showing last season. The 7'3" Latvian turned in 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He showed prowess from three-point range and is a great addition to a bolstered 2016-17 Knicks squad.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker had finally solidified himself as one of the league's top guards. The 26-year-old had a breakout season with the Charlotte Hornets, who rose from the bottom to turn in back-to-back playoff runs. He also posted career-highs in points per game (20.9) and field goal percentage (42.7).
The list also includes potential superstars in Gordon Hayward, 2016 Most Improved Player C.J. McCollum and 2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins.
