ESPN recently made some predictions for the new season, including a poll on which player will make their first All-Star appearance. Ben Simmons received 90% of the first-place votes, placing him at the top.

It is safe to say that there are high expectations for Simmons in the upcoming season. As the 2023 top draft pick, Simmons demonstrated great skills during his rookie season. With an average of 29.7 minutes per game, he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks. His shot-blocking ability is ranked first in the league. However, due to the poor performance of the San Antonio Spurs and the intense competition in the Western Conference, Simmons was unable to make the All-Star team in his rookie season. The earliest he can make his All-Star debut is in the next season.

From the current situation, Simmons has a great chance of making his first All-Star appearance in his second season. Firstly, Simmons is already a rising star, and his outstanding performance in his rookie season has greatly increased his popularity. In the fan voting phase, it is believed that Simmons will receive more recognition in the new season. Secondly, Simmons' performance with the French national team in the recent Tokyo Olympics left a deep impression, especially in the gold medal game where he battled against players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. As Simmons' playing time and confidence on the court continue to increase, his stats will continue to improve.

The last point is the Spurs' performance. The team strengthened their roster during the offseason with the addition of Barnes and Chris Paul, making them more competitive than before. If the Spurs can make a breakthrough in the new season, Simmons, as the team's top player, will have a great chance of making the All-Star team. In NBA history, there have been many great players who made their first All-Star appearance in their second year, with LeBron James being the most typical example. After his second year, James made the All-Star team every season, continuing to this day. As another highly talented and gifted rookie in NBA history, Simmons' era may be approaching.