In years past, rookies usually do not make it to the All-Star game in their first seasons in the NBA as there are a number of more deserving players than them, with the exception of a few who did, with the last one being Blake Griffin in 2011. However, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr thinks that may happen again this year with Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen.

The two-time champion coach made it known recently, via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, that he and his staff believe that the Finnish international has done enough to be selected as part of the All-Star Game next month.

Through 41 games, Markkanen is averaging solid numbers of 15.5 points, on 43.0 percent shooting from the field, to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.1 minutes per game. He is proving to be more than worthy to be the seventh overall pick in last June's draft, and that the Bulls made the right decision in taking him as part of the Jimmy Butler deal.

The reserves for the All-Star Game will be selected through a draft by each team's captain, based on who had the most votes from fans. Currently LeBron James and Stephen Curry are the leading vote-getters and could be the ones tasked to choose their teammates. It will be interesting to see which of them sides with the rookie if he is indeed among the pool of players available.