First-time All-Stars are often the top contenders for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey became the fifth consecutive MIP (and seventh in the past eight years) to earn his first All-Star selection in the same season he won the award.

There are backcourt and frontcourt players in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference who won’t be part of the All-Star Game and easily should be. It becomes a numbers gam