San Antonio Spurs: Early All-Star predictions for 2019
By Rob Wolkenbrod
Which San Antonio Spurs could make the 2019 NBA All-Star game?
The San Antonio Spurs did not have Kawhi Leonard around enough for All-Star game consideration, but LaMarcus Aldridge still represented the organization in his sixth career appearance in the mid-February festivities. He played on Team LeBron as part of the split-up rosters.
Finding a way onto the All-Star roster can be difficult, and in the 2019 Western Conference, it might take an over-the-top season for someone to stand out. There’s LeBron James, potentially five Golden State Warriors, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, James Harden, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and a myriad of other players in contention. So, it will not be easy.
Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan both have a chance at making the 2019 All-Star game, given their shown scoring abilities over the past few years, especially as both made the 2018 game.
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For Aldridge, he will be the main player on the block for the Spurs. His 23 points per game might not repeat itself, with another top scorer in town, so that might deflate his candidacy against the superstars that captain their respective teams. Plus, LeBron in the West does not help in the frontcourt regard.
DeRozan has made four of the past five All-Star games, all of which as part of the Toronto Raptors. The Eastern Conference’s perception was on less superstar depth than the West, and that benefited the USC product. Though, each All-Star appearance featured season averages north of 22 points per game and topped out at 27.3 in the 2016-17 season.
The backcourt candidates in the West are plentiful, though. He must get past fan favorites, Curry, Harden, Paul and Westbrook, while also dealing with Booker, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Donovan Mitchell. DeRozan can compete with all of them, but separating from the pack will be an uphill battle.
Aldridge and DeRozan may find regular season success, but a spot in the 2019 All-Star game is hardly guaranteed. For now, let’s project them to miss the mid-season classic, as the depth around them is potentially too much to break through. Spurs fans will hope otherwise, and that could still officially become the case in February, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.