Everything Wrong with the all-star game selections

Thursday night, the 2023 NBA All-Star reserves were released to the public, and, needless to say, many fans were left in disbelief over voting selections. This comes just one week after the All-Star starters were leaked.

Here’s who was selected for the 2023 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah:

Eastern Conference Starters:

Guards: Kyrie Irving (Nets), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)

Forwards: Captain - Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Kevin Durant (Nets)

Eastern Conference Reserves:

Joel Embiid (76ers), Bam Adebayo (Heat), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), DeMar DeRozan (Bulls), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Bucks), Julius Randle (Knicks)

Western Conference Starters:

Guards: Stephen Curry (Warriors), Luka Doncic (Mavericks)

Forwards: Captain - LeBron James (Lakers), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Zion Williamson (Pelicans)

Western Conference Reserves:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Paul George (Clippers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Domantas Sabonis (Pacers), Jaren Jackson Jr (Grizzlies)

What’s wrong with the picks?

This list is an unorthodox scramble of injury-riddled stars and people left off everyone’s All-Star radar. First and foremost, Zion Williamson as a starter in the Western Conference raises questions. He’s only played in 29 games this season, and if Williamson was worthy of a starter spot after missing nearly half the season, then where is Anthony Davis’ All-Star nod? He’s appeared in the same tally of games, and averages higher points and assists totals. If Williamson proved to be starter-worthy, then Davis should unquestionably be part of the Western reserves, at the very least.

The rest of the Western Conference picks look acceptable. Doncic and Curry seemed to lock up the backcourt starters spots early on in the season, despite Gilgeous-Alexander making a strong case behind surprising scoring output. But, Jaren Jackson Jr. as a reserve raises some questions. Sure, he has a case for the Defensive Player of the Year award, but missing 17 games and averaging a mere 16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds doesn’t usually equate to an all-star selection for a big man.

In the East, Pascal Siakam certainly should have found himself as one of the reserve selections. Siakam becomes the first player in NBA history to average 25+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 6+ assists to miss the All-Star Game. While his team, the Toronto Raptors, find themselves playing underwhelming basketball, Siakam has the statistics to back up his case.

Jrue Holiday is another surprise reserve selection that doesn’t quite make sense. Not that he hasn’t been rock-solid for the Bucks, but leading up to the picks being announced, Holiday wasn’t really being considered for a spot. Hawks’ Trae Young and Knicks’ Jalen Brunson both have had stronger statistics campaigns this season, with both scoring more nightly points and Young averaging more assists as well. While Holiday deserves recognition for being the Bucks steady hand, most fans saw his all-star nod as a shock.

The All-Star Game will take place on February 18th at 8PM. On the same day, captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will draft their teams from the player pool made up of both the East and West selections. While the game will certainly have its highlight-reel moments, All-Star snubs will be looking on in disbelief as to how they didn’t get their name called.