So, let's take a quick look who's going to be in the All-Star team if no further injuries happen.
East: Tatum; Brown; Giannis; Embiid; Butler are a lock.
That leaves 7 open spots: Banchero from Magic for being a top 4 seed; Jalen Brunson - NY + being a top 6 seed; Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana if the team stays in the top 8; Donovan Mitchell - 4 straight All-Star appearancrs doubt it will be over; Lillard - the same when the Bucks are going to be top 3 seed.
That leaves wild card 2 open spots: LaMelo has the stats and cool factor to get him there; and the last stop will be between Maxey and Trae.
That leaves only 4 spots open: Fox (I doubt they are going to leave him if Kings are top 6 seed); Kyrie (If the Mavs stay in the top 4 spot he's going to get in); KAT (The hard truth here is that if Wolves remain Nr. 1 seed they are going to get another All-Star spot);
Wild card spot: Zion. The NBA wants him there just for the dunks and potential highlight reel and they will get him there even if there are no injuries and Pelicans stay in the top 10 standings.
But as always injuries happen and there will be more players.
So my predictions for 1st time All-Stars: Banchero; Brunson.
So, let's take a quick look who's going to be in the All-Star team if no further injuries happen.
East: Tatum; Brown; Giannis; Embiid; Butler are a lock.
That leaves 7 open spots: Banchero from Magic for being a top 4 seed; Jalen Brunson - NY + being a top 6 seed; Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana if the team stays in the top 8; Donovan Mitchell - 4 straight All-Star appearancrs doubt it will be over; Lillard - the same when the Bucks are going to be top 3 seed.
That leaves wild card 2 open spots: LaMelo has the stats and cool factor to get him there; and the last stop will be between Maxey and Trae.
West: LeBron; Curry; Luka; KD; Booker; SGA; Jokic; Edwards are locked.
That leaves only 4 spots open: Fox (I doubt they are going to leave him if Kings are top 6 seed); Kyrie (If the Mavs stay in the top 4 spot he's going to get in); KAT (The hard truth here is that if Wolves remain Nr. 1 seed they are going to get another All-Star spot);
Wild card spot: Zion. The NBA wants him there just for the dunks and potential highlight reel and they will get him there even if there are no injuries and Pelicans stay in the top 10 standings.
But as always injuries happen and there will be more players.
So my predictions for 1st time All-Stars: Banchero; Brunson.