2018 NBA All-Star Game: 7 Possible Debuts

#3 Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons

Stat-line:16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 7.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 0.8 bpg

While runaway candidates for Rookie of the Year are generally not locks to feature in All-Star Weekend festivities, Ben Simmons is a different animal from winners before him. Having sat out the entirety of his first season with a broken metatarsal, the one-and-done 6'10" point guard out of LSU has taken the NBA by storm in his first run of games.

While his height and playing position are reminiscent of Magic Johnson himself, his statline is virtually identical to the greatest playmaker of all time as well. Consider this: no rookie other than Simmons and Magic has averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game in the past 50 years.

The ease with which Simmons is able to get to the paint, get defenses to collapse on him and kick the ball out to a teammate waiting at the three-point line is quite reminiscent of Magic. Even Simmons' transition play looks eerily similar to the Lakers legend in his Showtime years.

Throw in Simmons' elite defensive play (he's second in total steals this season to Paul George) and you are beginning to look at a true unicorn: a franchise player who could lead his team to victory in several different ways.

Simmons is as good as a lock for an appearance in the All-Star game, health permitting.