An unprecedented 2020-21 season hasn't stopped NBA stars from shining brightly. With COVID-19 still taking center stage, it's been relatively challenging for the league to go through the regular season as seamlessly as possible. That said, players have still managed to showcase their talents and the global pandemic hasn't slowed them down a bit. Now that the mid-season break is approaching, talks about All-Star Weekend have ramped up.

At this point, the status of the 2021 NBA All-Star Weekend is still quite uncertain, to say the least. With the league still trying to go through the regular season as seamlessly as possible, having a three-day celebration in Indiana come March has been hard to picture.

NBA games have already been postponed and key players have missed time due to health and safety protocols. Taking all that into consideration, the league has stood by its original decision to postpone this season's All-Star festivities. Though there have been recent discussions that an actual game may happen come March, nothing is still quite set in stone.

Amid a season full of uncertainty and irregularity, players who have balled out this season undeniably deserve an NBA All-Star spot. Whether there will be an actual game to be played or not, the status of being named an All-Star still holds some value and the global pandemic shouldn't rob that from anyone, especially these potential first-timers. Here's a look at five players due for their first All-Star nod this season.

First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Jamal Murray

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray had a coming-out party in the NBA bubble last year. The 23-year-old showcased his talent to lead the Nuggets all the way to the WCF against the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. This season, Murray has basically picked up where he left off. Alongside Nikola Jokic who's been having another monster season, Murray has led the Nuggets to the upper half of the Western Conference. Averaging a career-high of 19 points per game, the Blue Arrow has proven that he definitely deserves an All-Star nod this season.

Fred VanVleet

One of the few bright stars coming out of the Toronto Raptors' rough 2020-21 start is starting point guard Fred VanVleet. After betting on himself and developing his game, the Raptors chose to sign the 26-year-old to a four-year, $85 million deal this NBA offseason. Since then, VanVleet has shown the world that he's worth every Canadian dollar. The stocky guard has moved from being a reserve to being Nick Nurse's staple in the starting line-up alongside Kyle Lowry.

This NBA season, FVV has been elite. He's been averaging career-high numbers in points, rebounds, assists, and even three-pointers made. Day by day, VanVleet is definitely looking like an All-Star shoe-in.

Zach LaVine

Another standout coming out of the East is Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine. LaVine isn't new to the bright lights of NBA All-Star Weekend.

The two-time Slam Dunk champion though has been a household name to the NBA's All-Star festivities through his unforgettable dunks but this season, he's looking to finally book a ticket to the main event. Year on year, LaVine's game has grown and on his seventh season in the league this year, it's gotten to a point that “Young Hollywood” cannot be ignored anymore.

The 25-year-old has been a lethal weapon for the Bulls this season with his 27-point-per-game average, which currently is top-8 in the NBA. The All-Star Game needs a walking bucket like Zach LaVine and even Dwyane Wade knows it.

Zion Williamson

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft is definitely on his way to his first NBA All-Star Game. After playing just 24 games in his rookie year last season, Zion Williamson is on pace to have a monster sophomore year this season. The 20-year-old has been as advertised this season and is spearheading the New Orleans Pelicans' young roster.

The Duke product has been able to stay healthy so far this season and has poured in 23.9 points per game on an efficient 59% field goal clip together with 7.5 boards per game. The star power of the young Williamson is undeniable and it's hard to imagine having an NBA All-Star team without his name attached to it.

Jaylen Brown

After being snubbed in last year's NBA All-Star selection process, Jaylen Brown has looked like a man on a mission this season.

The Boston Celtics swingman has evolved to become one of the NBA's prolific bucket-getters this season with an average of 27.1 points per game. With Gordon Hayward leaving the C's and Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum missing a handful of games each, Brown has made the most out of all the attention. Even with the Celtics' being short-handed in a bunch of games, Boston has managed to stay afloat in the middle of the NBA Eastern Conference playoff picture thanks to Brown's breakout season.

Don't be surprised if you see Jaylen Brown's name as a starter for this year's NBA All-Star Game.