The next 3 Hornets to make the all-star game
By Ben Handler
LaMelo Ball
LaMelo would seem to have the most likely future path to the All-Star game, seeing as he’s already been there in 2022. That season, Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.6 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals with 43/39/87 shooting splits. Good numbers certainly, but nothing gaudy, and nothing he can’t replicate - or even better.
For reference, in the 22 games he’s played this season, Ball is averaging 23.9 points, 8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game on 43/36/87 shooting splits. So the numbers are there for him, he just needs to stay on the floor and make sure the team is somewhat close to playoff contention.
Scottie Barnes is averaging pretty similar stats, arguably slightly worse, with 20.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game on 47/35/78 shooting splits. He’s doing it for a 19-36 Raptors game that’s only marginally better than the Hornets. And Barnes was named an all-star (albeit as a replacement).
The point is, LaMelo is already there, and if he can just stay healthy he will perennially be in the all-star conversation, as he was in just his second year in the league. Stay on the court and win some games and he’ll be a fixture at all-star weekend.