Three big NBA All-Star Game starter snubs

three big nba all-star game starter snubs

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson

The NBA fan voters, media and players did a solid job picking the starters for the All-Star Game on Feb. 18. But they still left some deserving starters out in the cold.

There are many great players represented on that list, including the MVP winners from the last five years and the all-time NBA scoring leader. Still, there were a few deserving players who easily could have been named starters in their own rights.

1. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Brunson had a breakout season in 2022-23 and this year the New York Knicks guard has been even better, averaging 26.6 points per game, 6.5 assists and 1.0 steal, while shooting 42.3% from three-point range – all career-high marks. Brunson is the best player on a red-hot Knicks team that has won five straight games and is on track to get home-court advantage in the first round.

While Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton was a clear-cut choice to start, finishing first in the player vote, media vote and fan vote, Brunson was the victim of Damian Lillard’s popularity. Despite being second in the media vote and third in the player vote, Brunson couldn’t overcome Lillard’s fan-vote advantage. Players had Dame Time fourth and the media had him fifth, but because the fan vote counts for 50% – and serves as the tiebreaker – Lillard drew Brunson’s rightful starting spot.

Brunson scores more on better efficiency than Lillard. He’s also much better on defense, whereas Lillard has been a huge part of the Bucks’ defensive decline. Brunson additionally got the all-important endorsement of Charles Barkley.

2. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Perhaps the Clippers’ slow start and some injury-plagued years made voters forget how good Kawhi Leonard was. But he’s been healthy in 2023-24 and a force on both ends.

Leonard is averaging 23.7 points per game on tremendous efficiency. He is making 52% of his shots from the field, 44% from three-point range and 88% of his free throws. While his team had a slow start in acclimating to the addition of James Harden, the Clippers have gone 20-4 since Dec. 1.

“The Claw” is scoring with ease on offense and clamping down on defense this season. When Leonard is on the floor, L.A. holds its opponents to 9.8 fewer points per 100 possessions, a huge number. Defense isn’t glamorous for All-Star voters, but the rejuvenated Leonard deserves to start.

3. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Two factors contributed to Anthony Davis’ omission as an All-Star Game starter. His team is only at .500 and he shares the frontcourt with LeBron James.

“The Brow” is having his best season in years. He’s also having his healthiest season in years, playing in 44 of the Lakers’ 46 games. He’s grabbing 12.2 rebounds – which is third in the NBA – and blocking 2.3 shots, good for fifth. Davis draws a ton of fouls, shooting over nine free throws a game and making them at an 81% clip.

While James is one of the greatest players of all time, this year Davis is having the better season. Davis is scoring more points than James while taking fewer shots, with better efficiency numbers on offense and defense. Shockingly, he has even played 12 percent more minutes than James. Davis will almost certainly be an All-Star, but his season deserves a starting spot.

Want more articles like this? Follow Yardbarker on MSN to see more of our exclusive NBA content.

More must-reads:

    Trending slideshow: Every NBA Rookie of the Year award winner (Provided by Yardbarker)

    News Related

    OTHER NEWS

    Jimmy Carter and all living former first ladies to attend Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service

    Former President Jimmy Carter is expected to attend the Tuesday memorial service for his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, in Atlanta, his grandson told CNN – a tribute that will also be ... Read more »

    Rob Reiner to Film ‘This Is Spinal Tap' Sequel in February, Says Paul McCartney and Elton John Will Appear

    Rob Reiner to Film ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ Sequel in February, Says Paul McCartney and Elton John Will Appear Forty years after making his directorial debut with the 1984 cult ... Read more »

    Best Buy's Biggest Cyber Monday Deals on Samsung TVs, Sony Headphones, and Dyson Vacuums

    Plus laptops and more last-minute deals you don’t want to miss People / Jaclyn Mastropasqua We have reached Cyber Monday is officially here, and there are loads of great deals ... Read more »

    The Joffre Lakes surge returns north of Pemberton

    The Joffre Lakes surge is back, much to the dismay of Pemberton and Mount Currie locals. Video footage shared with Pique shows a long line of cars illegally parked on ... Read more »

    Activists calling for Gaza ceasefire begin hunger strike outside White House

    Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Leftwing activists including the actor Cynthia Nixon, famous for her role in Sex and the City, have begun a hunger strike outside the White House aimed ... Read more »

    We just got a first look at McDonald's secretive new spinoff restaurant CosMc's

    A construction site in Bolingbrook, Illinois, presumed to be the first location of CosMc’s. Scott Fredrickson McDonald’s has been reluctant to share many details about its planned new restaurant concept ... Read more »

    Conor McGregor’s The Black Forge posts more than $2 million in losses since 2021 opening

    Conor McGregor’s The Black Forge posts more than $2 million in losses since 2021 opening Conor McGregor made around a $2 million investment when he purchased the Dublin bar he ... Read more »
    Top List in the World