The holidays are over, and now it is time for fans and the media to begin voting for this year's NBA All-Stars. We all know that LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry are shoe-ins to be selected for another all-star appearance, but the rest of the competition is still fighting for slots. For the first time since 2012, James isn't leading in All-Star votes; it's not Giannis Antetokounmpo. The young freak from Greece will have to make some tough decisions which are usually left up to voting.

Here are five of the likely All-Star caliber players who could get snubbed by either Antetokounmpo or Durant. Here's to hoping that this won't jinx these players when it becomes time for the selections to be made.

5. Damian Lillard

damian lillard
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What Damian Lillard has to do to get any recognition these days? He continues to post amazing stats, and he is the sole reason why the Blazers have been competing, especially when the team lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, and Nic Batum. Lillard has evolved into one of he best players in the NBA. He has even become a killer in the clutch, in which he is still remembered for his impossible game-winning shot against the Houston Rockets. Through it all, Lillard has never been selected for an All-Star game spot. He has been on an All-Star team before, but that was only because of technical reasons. Lillard has been angry because of the snubs, but he has used it to fuel his game. He's a better player now, but that doesn't necessarily mean that people are ready to accept him.

As a matter of fact, it isn't about people not recognizing his skill. It's because the West is stacked with talented point guards. There is Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul, who have been gaining All-Star recognition because they are popular, skilled, and their teams are winning and trending. Lillard is just as talented, but he isn't trending or winning as well his other point guard rivals. Lillard is unfortunate to play to in the Golden Age of Point Guards. While an All-Star appearance isn't usually used as a parameter to judge how great players are, it does affect the contract stipulations for a player such as Lillard. Don't get misunderstood. Lillard is getting paid off of his massive contract extension. However, another snub can affect how much he will earn in the future, and take a hit as his pride too. Ouch.

4. Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson
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Hassan Whiteside is a phenomenal player. He is a prolific defender and rebounder, and he has definitely evolved from the prospect he used to be for the Sacramento Kings. The Miami Heat know this, so they signed him to a rich contract a few summers ago. While Whiteside is still a great player, he will likely get snubbed for another All-Star game for just one main reason. His team isn't winning. Whiteside is talented, but the media rarely votes for players that don't impact their team in a positive way. Whiteside helps the Heat win, but he isn't making them a Playoff team.

With that said, it's likely that Whiteside will sit the All-Star game out. Until he can bring the Heat to relevance with his stellar play, he won't get the recognition he needs among voters in 2018.

3. Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker
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Kemba Walker is in the same position as Damian Lillard. With excellent point guards like John Wall and Kyrie Irving in the Eastern Conference, there really isn't room for Walker to join an All-Star squad and that says nothing about his skill. Walker has improved tremendously since he came out of UConn. He is an amazing scorer and play-maker that the Hornets need, but everyone can admit that he isn't making them better. When the Hornets made the Playoffs, it was because of him. Now, they are on pace to miss the Playoffs, and his play isn't doing anything to change that. It may not be fair to blame Kemba Walker for the Hornets' struggles since the team doesn't have the talent to compete. Still, Walker stood out this year anyway.

He is so talented, but until the Hornets can win, Walker will get snubbed every year. Its either that, or he will have to elevate his play to match Wall and Irving's.

2. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony
David Zalubowski/ The Associated Press

Finally, Carmelo Anthony has left the New York Knicks to join a team where he is happy. Anthony isn't playing like he was in his prime, but that's fine. Sometimes fans and the media vote for players out of popularity anyway. Still, Anthony probably won't get an All-Star selection this year, mainly because he now plays in the Western Conference. To get a spot, Anthony would have to compete with the likes of Kevin Durant, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Draymond Green. He simply won't make it because the Western Conference is full of talented forwards.

So, it's going to be an All-Star game without Anthony's presence this year. That's going to be weird, but we should get used to seeing it this way. Anthony has left his prime and he is starting to digress into a decent starter. This snub will prove that Anthony is finally starting to leave the superstar realm.

1. Isaiah Thomas

 

It doesn't matter if Isaiah Thomas came back today and dropped 40 points. He won't make the All-Star Game. That's simply because Thomas hasn't played all year. Even his popularity won't save him this time. He won't get the nod over other superstar point guards in the East, and there is still some doubt about how he will play with his injury. Isaiah Thomas is a brilliant player, but don't expect him to get an All-Star selection this year. If he does, it will be really surprising and it may anger some players that should have been selected in the first place.

All in all, all of these players have tremendous skill and talent. However, under certain circumstances, none of these players will be selected for this year's All-Star game. At the end of the day, a 23-year old will decide their All-State fate if Kevin Durant doesn't.