Predicting which Wildcats will be named 2022 NBA All-Stars
If draft night is graduation day for Kentucky basketball, the NBA All-Star game is a showcase for fans to catch up with some of their favorite former Wildcats. With fan voting ending Saturday night, the 2022 NBA All-Star game is right around the corner.
There should be plenty of familiar faces for UK in Cleveland, but there’s a chance for some new faces to earn their first selections. Let’s talk about who will and won’t make the final cut.
Booker leads the way in Phoenix
With the NBA’s best record (36-9), the Phoenix Suns are guaranteed to get at least one if not two players selected. Chris Paul will likely be in the mix, but Devin Booker should be a lock. After leading the Suns to the NBA Finals last season, Book has stayed hot with averages of 24.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. For a player we know as a shooter, it’s interesting to see he’s shooting a career-high from three at 38.5%.
Booker has been an All-Star twice in his career already, but only ever as an injury replacement. Combine his team and personal success and you can book it that Devin will get his first real selection in Cleveland.
KAT returns to All-Star form
Karl Anthony-Towns has had it as rough as any professional athlete throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. After so much personal tragedy, it was good to see him play well last season. Now, after two seasons since his last selection, Towns has a very good chance to be voted in as a reserve.
The Timberwolves center is averaging 24.3 points and 9.2 rebounds on 51.9% shooting and 40.8% shooting from three. With Minnesota being competitive this season and other Western Conference frontcourt players hurt or having down seasons, Towns is set to benefit the most.
Adebayo & Davis held back by injuries
Speaking of injuries, that may very well keep two of the NBA’s best bigs out of the game. Anthony Davis has played just 27 games this season for the Lakers while Bam Adebayo has only played in 21 games for the Heat.
Davis’ season was derailed by an MCL sprain in his left knee, but he wasn’t playing up to standard even when healthy. Averages of 23.3 points and 9.9 rebounds are great for most players, but Davis isn’t most players. Pair that with the Lakers’ struggles and Davis’ streak of eight consecutive selections will likely come to an end.
In Bam’s case, Miami’s third-place record in the East is good enough to warrant multiple All-Stars. Adebayo has played well when available and in the first few games since returning from injury too, averaging 18.7 points and 10 rebounds on the year. Even with the numbers, though, games played have a role in the decision. Bam just hasn’t played enough with a torn ligament in his thumb to make his second All-Star game.
Herro has a chance
Tyler Herro is a long shot to make it, but he makes an interesting case. As I said, the Heat have had the record all season to justify one or more selections. Of Miami’s “Big Three”, though, only Kyle Lowry has played in more games with just one more appearance.
Herro is second on the team in scoring with 20.7 points and has 10 more games under his belt than leading scorer Jimmy Butler. Although he’s leading the way for 6th Man of The Year, it’s not very common for bench players to be All-Stars. With the circumstances around him though, he has an outside shot to be selected.
SGA & Fox won’t have the wins
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and De’Aaron Fox are both playing well enough to at least garner consideration. Neither Oklahoma City nor Sacramento will have the records to push either of them over the edge in a loaded West though.
As the Thunder’s top option, Shai is averaging 22.8 points per game. However, he’s shooting career-low percentages because of the defensive attention he’s getting, but he’s still proven to be one of the NBA’s best young guards. Fox has looked checked out at times this season on a Kings team that continues to struggle. Still, he’s averaging 21 points even on a career-worst 24.8% from three.
With OKC and Sacramento combining for a record of 32-62 this season, it’d be extremely tough for either of them to make it even with better numbers.
On the outside looking in
Julius Randle took over New York last season when he earned his first All-Star selection with the Knicks. Just a season later, Randle likely won’t make it for the second season in a row. The team isn’t playing at the same level and neither is Julius. 18.8 points, 10 rebounds and 5.1 assists is respectable, but it’s a drop from his last season. He’s shooting significantly worse from the field and three as well.
If we consider improvement alone, Tyrese Maxey has an outside chance as well. With Ben Simmons not playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Maxey’s seized the opportunity and run the point in Philly. He’s doubled his points, assists and rebounds, but Maxey may still be a few seasons away from serious All-Star consideration.
With roughly 30 former Wildcats on opening-night rosters, Kentucky consistently has plenty of candidates each year to make the game. Now we’ll wait to see who earns selections over the next two weeks.
The All-Star starters will be announced on January 27th while the All-Star reserves will be announced a week later on February 3rd. The 2022 NBA All-Star Game will be in Cleveland, Ohio in February. Both announcements and the game will be aired on TNT.
To keep up with the rest of the NBA Cats, check out the Cats In The NBA tab.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard