Upstarts ready for All-Star Game

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JA Morant is a newbie to the NBA All-Star Game, but most observers forecast there will be many more appearances to come.

The Memphis Grizzlies star is one of seven players making their All-Star debuts when Team Durant battles Team LeBron on Sunday night (Monday in Manila) at Cleveland.

Morant’s stellar play is why the Grizzlies own the third-best record (41-19) in the NBA at the break.

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The 22-year-old Morant, who will start for Team Durant, ranks seventh in the league with a 26.8 scoring average and seemingly produces a highlight-reel play in every contest.

“If you’re going to talk about the most entertaining players in the NBA and those at the top of the list, I think Ja has to be up there with a small group,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters. “There is a lot of entertainment in this league and obviously the All-Star Game is the ultimate highlight for that, and I think Ja will fit in perfectly.”

The other first time All-Stars are the Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, the Cleveland Cavaliers duo of Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, the Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins, the San Antonio Spurs’ Dejounte Murray, and the Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet.

VanVleet, who once starred at Wichita State, is the first undrafted player to earn an All-Star spot since four-time All-Star Ben Wallace in 2006 and the fifth overall. The others are Connie Hawkins (four times), Brad Miller (twice) and John Starks (once).

“Obviously you guys know how I feel about myself, and the will and the confidence that I’ve had to have over the course of my life and my career,” VanVleet, a reserve on Team LeBron, told reporters. “But to be recognized like that is a special moment.”

The flashy Ball was added to the team as an injury replacement for Kevin Durant (knee). At 20 years, 182 days, he is the fourth-youngest All-Star behind a trio of legends: the late Kobe Bryant (19 years, 169 days), LeBron James (20 years, 52 days) and Magic Johnson (20 years, 173 days).

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