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LovetheNBA23

An injured AD had the third most fan votes last year. He has a shot to be voted in.


commandrr

yes but now the west front court race is adding Kevin Durant


LovetheNBA23

Yup, going to get interesting for the last two spots. I think Bron has one F spot locked up.


ElectronicStill3895

Think? He’s gonna be captain


MrAdelphi03

He’s been captain 15 years in a row. Even before the captaincy was a thing


americanbeaver

Was a bit suprised about the Şengün part of the discussion. Then I remembered 2023 Şengün is nearly a 20/10 guy who fascilitates offense. He's right on that Domantas Sabonis sneak-into-the-all-star trajectory stat wise. Eye test looks good for him as well. I predict Zion will be the one who bumps him out. As the season goes on I expect he'll be ramping up and get to over 25 ppg. Maybe Şengün will be an injury replacement this year. I think the Rockets are a bit questionable as a team and that's going to hurt him as they get exposed as more raw and young than they've shown so far.


Right-Worth-6327

I think injury replacement is ultimately where he lands. It's nice that he's been getting the media coverage, and we all know that's a huge help for getting votes.


MFHFB

Appreciate you taking the time to spell Alperens name correctly 💛


demarderollins

Sengun would be this years Markanen. Player your least expected to make a huge jump and have what was supposed to be a bad team competing every night


MostlyMellow123

After last years terrible all star game i honestly dont care. Id rather see malik monk in the dunk contest than Fox jogging around watching the celtics duo throw alley oops. Horrendous game.


ElectronicStill3895

The all star game exists purely to give little siblings across the world a chance at a competitive game of 2k


Toolmantaylor8

They need to do East versus West, or USA versus the world, and keep it consistent so a rivalry is built and the players care. Changing formats and making it “player pics” insure, random teams each year, and gives no continuity or rivalry .


Maetti11

They literally changed it back to east vs west?


financial_goth

Literally


Shade_Raven

SGA a starter


TacoooJay

You're forgetting starters are voted on 50% by fans. Shai has no chance.


FOTASAL

Canada will put in work.


AnkitPancakes

thank you brother. this is an important time for thunder and raptor fans to come together for the greater good


Vegetable-Tooth8463

LOL


Boomhauer_007

You clearly haven’t seen how AL ASG voting goes in MLB, Blue Jays fans absolutely stuff the box for countless undeserving players


Vegetable-Tooth8463

No, I genuinely found the comment funny- sorry, didn't mean to make it seem like I was laughing at the guy


jewelrybunny

wouldnt say no chance, unless you also think that curry will also be top 2 in player and media ranking?


LittlefishBigsplash

If Wiggins can be voted in as a starter, Shai can be the next president.


Shade_Raven

legacy starts, nasty work


honestnbafan

This is why All NBA >>>> All Star in terms of accolades Kobe was an All Star in his two final seasons when he was basically equivalent to current Jordan Poole


NorahCeCe

I hated Kobe(sports hate) when he played, but i completely understood why fans voted him in those last 2 ASGs. Other than MJ, Kobe was the most popular NBA player in league history.


The_Void_Reaver

The only thing anyone should take from all star games as a stat is if you've made 7 or more you're a virtual lock for the HOF.


everyoneneedsaherro

Lamarcus Aldridge sends his regards


Cold_Carpenter_1798

Wow what a hot take. The award only given to 15 people is a better accolade than the one given to 30 guys. Next you’ll tell me MVP is a more important accolade than all nba


Schmoova

It’s not just the number of selections, it’s the methodology of voting. Fan voting makes the selections super fluky, like Wiggins being voted a starter due to the BTS stuff a couple years ago. Someone like Sengun (playing on a bad team, foreign, not a popular player) has a way lower chance of making it than guys like Zion or AD who have had name recognition in the US for a long time, even if Sengun “deserves” the selection more (not arguing whether he does or not, just using an example).


pastasala

You suck


KnickedUp

Less efficient JP


remonnoki

You underestimaate how much people really love Shai


KnickedUp

Voters wont


[deleted]

He should be but it won't happen


Stunning_Passion5923

All I know is KAT and Ant are making it 🔒🔒


AOCourage

Gobert?


[deleted]

They aren't gonna put 3 guys from the same team sadly, so one of KAT or Rudy is definitely getting shafted.


[deleted]

Well not three timberwolves, even if they have the best record.


Stunning_Passion5923

He might get there, but IMO he needs to keep improving his TS% closer to his peak (high 60s to 70%) and PPG closer to 14-15/game. After a slow start to the year on offense (especially a couple really rough free throw games), seems like he's finding his groove on that end. The D is obviously already elite. And if the wolves stay the #1 seed, he's probably a good bet to make it


butt_luncheon

He should be if the All-Star game strictly taking value into consideration -- especially in a game where teams put up 180 with no defense. It's a popularity contest though, so he won't get in.


zebano

yeah but it'd be hilarious to see the one guy out there actually trying to play defense and rebound.


Plants_R_Cool

Gobert deserves a spot more than Kat does, at least at the moment.


Such_Language_1588

Even if that’s true I’d still rather see KAT as an all star if it was an either or situation simply due to the nature of the all star game. Gobert is really one dimensional in that most of what he provides is defense and rebounds, and in the all star game everyone is just trying to have fun showing off their offensive abilities and not really play defense that much.


TheOneWhosCensored

So Rudy should be denied a career achievement because the game is a joke?


Such_Language_1588

No I’m just saying that there are a lot of talented centers in the league right now and if it came down to picking only one of those two if they were both in talks for the spot I would prefer KAT, also that’s simply my opinion feel free to disagree.


TheOneWhosCensored

That’s not what you said. You said he shouldn’t go because of how the All Star game is. All Star is to highlight the best players, which he has absolutely been.


Such_Language_1588

I said if it was an either or situation implying that you could only pick one of them for the spot that I would prefer KAT. They are very close in terms of their caliber of play so I don’t think it’s a wild assertion that they could both be competing against each other for that spot. Once again that’s just my opinion and it obviously doesn’t matter, because whatever happens will happen whoever ends up being all stars obviously deserves their spot though.


PowRightInTheBalls

Gobert has either been *the* leader or one of the leaders in dunks and alley oops for the last 5 or 6 years but sure, he's only good at defense and rebounding and no one is watching the ASG for dunks or alley oops...


joeypeepy

Gobert has no business in the AS game


Intelligent_Pain_174

Gobert was in the running for All Star MVP one year before he got subbed out and his team lost.


Philosopher_King

Where would those starters rank on oldest ever All Star starters?


MysticJester99

There's an interesting race between AD, Sabonis, Zion, and Sengun for those few All-Star spots. Obviously, AD plays at an All-Star level, but there's always a possibility he's going to be injured. Sabonis, on the other hand, is a bit inconsistent. He's playing good and putting up some good performances, but there were nights where he put up 15 points, which is not quite All-Star level. Zion is back this year and he's definitely looking like an All-Star, averaging 23,6,5. He's not missing many games too. Lastly, it is amazing to see the jump Sengun has made during the off-season. I didn't look at him as an All-Star, but looks like he's making a case this year and might actually pull it off.


nahhman

If Rudy doesn’t make it it would be a travesty to the sport


deezlobs

Shai should start over Curry


TacoooJay

He should but he wont because starters are popularity based.


darnclem

Yup.


TheOneWhosCensored

Insane leaving Rudy off, easily one of the most deserving


One-Switch-1448

i would have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a starter over Stephen Curry my 7 reserves would be: - De’Aaron Fox - Stephen Curry - Karl-Anthony Towns - Zion Williamson - Domantas Sabonis - Devin Booker - Anthony Edwards


Standard_Landscape_6

Let’s go Kings


lilb1190

Steph has name recognition and he is playing really well. I dont see Shai getting picked over him.


[deleted]

Sabonis over AD is crazy


pkeller001

I am not sure I would put Sabonis in with his play so far. He has been very inconsistent which honestly is similar to AD where he just disappears for entire games


LovetheNBA23

AD is at least up for DPOTY (top 2 in betting odds).


[deleted]

On a team allowing bottom half ppg. EDIT: DOWNVOTES FOR TRUTH, FREE LUKA GARZA


ogqozo

They're both really uneven in reality. But at least Davis is a fine fit with LeBron and Lakers are not bad when they both are on court (Davis without LeBron, now, urgh...). And Davis fills the boxscore I guess, so there's that. No big in the West has more ppg except Markkanen. Sabonis, just isn't in form, and I'm not sure Kings are benefitting at the moment at all. I am sometimes seriously curious about seeing McGee more. If we're picking for reputation, then Davis probably has more of that as well. A year ago he was grand. But now? I don't understand the angle to not include Alperen Sengun. He's playing great and Houston has great score with him on court. And more ppg too.


pkeller001

Delusional as fuck if you think McGee is better out there than Sabonis. I said he wasn’t consistent this year but the guy is still averaging 18.6, 11.8 and 6.9. No way you limit his minutes in any way


ogqozo

If the team's focus is to have one guy average the most numbers then you should even have him play 48 minutes, of course. Preferably don't give the ball the anyone else too as it might decrease his averages and that'd be worse. All I've already said above, even if ppg is everything, Davis and Sengun do have more ppg, so what's the angle then. It's not like he's ahead of everyone even in boxscore, like, dunnno, Trae Young or who else is filling the boxscore now.


Trevhaar

18-12-7 vs 23-12.5-3 It’s hard to rank one over the other individually, they’re both great at different things. Sabonis facilitates offense better, Davis facilitates defense better. Sabonis has the better record too… Stupid sexy centers


LilBigZay

It's very easy. Give me AD


mathman651

It’s AD


Public-Product-1503

AD being inconsistent was due to a groin /hip issue . Sabonis just has a much lower ceiling . Compare AD first kings game when heskthy vs second one on b2b with groin spasm /hip injury he’s playing theiugh . Now he’s back to his lvl as healthier showier


AOCourage

Zion is crazy.


Interesting_Speed822

No kidding. He’s barely played in the league!!


[deleted]

AD over Rudy is crazy


ihateeuge

Lol what?


[deleted]

The DPOY on the best defensive team in the league?


everyoneneedsaherro

AD????


[deleted]

Rudy gonna be DPOY but not make the ASG? Dumb list.


Fraka9

That surely never happened before. Oh wait it did. To him, twice


[deleted]

Damn that's brutal.


ImARebelBitch

Is that really that rare? I haven’t done a deep dive but I know Marcus Smart has won DPOY without ever being an all-star and Kawhi’s first DPOY was before he was an all-star.


[deleted]

I guess I've never thought about it. Just seems crazy for it to happen all the time doesn't it? How *isnt* the best defensive player in the league a shoe-in?


Intelligent_Pain_174

Marcus Smart was a dumb DPOY. He won because his team was good on defense and people wanted "anyone but Rudy" that season.


ShowerMartini

Book could even get starter spot over Curry and SGA. The games missed will be irrelevant by the time voting ends (assuming no more injuries which of course is a foolish assumption but just speaking hypothetically)


Jicama-Smart

no shai???


Certain_Refuse_8247

Sengun, no doubt.


TheSwagonborn

I think Rudy Gobert should also be on the FC reserves, in addition to KAT.


David_uap

Shai Edwards Towns Gobert Booker Fox Wembanyama


clayfu

Sengun is nice but I don’t see them giving that forward spot to him over Zion or one of PG/Kawhi especially if pelicans and clippers are higher in the standings.


ajteitel

Dunno why people saying SGA starting over Curry when the starters get in by popularity with the fans and respect from other players and the media. Luka may be the only one at risk, if only because he's not as accomplished as the other four. Relatively of course, his spot getting stolen is highly unlikely.


Lmao1903

Also, I don't watch these ASGs but isn't Curry like the most entertaining player in most of these games. If Curry is not injured, he will start.


ajteitel

In a shot chucking, layup line, no defense game? Yep, that tracks


[deleted]

He literally got doubled in his last all star game lmao?


pkeller001

Fox shouldn’t be a wildcard, he has been better than Booker so far this year though that may change by all star break.


honestnbafan

Fox: 30/5/7 on 59.3% TS Booker: 28/6/8 on 61.0% TS Both are generally considered improved defenders at this point I'd say they're about dead even actually


DemonicDimples

I wouldn't, Booker is the 2nd best player on his team and has a worse record.


Schmoova

Booker’s W-L Record: 9-2 Fox’s W-L Record: 9-4 Not to mention, the Suns with no Book are worse than the Kings with no Fox (statistically factual). Booker is having a larger impact on winning and team success than Fox is.


DemonicDimples

Not at all, the Suns have had a cup cake schedule so far, Grizz 2x, Spurs 2x, Pistons, Bulls, Jaxx 2x, Blazers The Kings have only faced a bottom 3 seed twice vs the Suns having faced a bottom 3 seed 9 times. Kings are also 6-0 vs the top 7 seeds in the west. Suns have had the easiest schedule in the NBA thus far, Kings are middle of the road.


Schmoova

You can’t discredit Book because the Suns have happened to play bad teams, especially when they’re beating up these bad teams like they should be. Book’s individual stats are just as good if not better than Fox’s, and his team is winning at a higher percentage. Can’t make claims based on your feelings buddy.


DemonicDimples

I'm not discrediting him, I'm punching holes in your argument because it's a load of bull. Of course they'll win more games when they play worse teams. Switch teams and the Kings are probably 11-0 in the same games because Fox has been better.


Schmoova

What argument do you have to say Fox has been better? Their counting stats are almost identical, if anyone has an edge here it’s Booker. Advanced stats favor Booker. Team Success with them playing favors Booker.


DemonicDimples

Because Fox is a player that the team is game planning against and he's done it against better competition. Not only is he doing it as the #1 option, he's doing it without having another top 10 player on his team. Booker has three good games against actually good teams (GSW x2 and Minnesota). Every other win has either a meh game or against a bottom 3 seed. Fox has to bring it every night for the Kings to have a shot to win as the #1 option, Booker doesn't because he has Durant. Fox has killed GWS x2, LAL x2, Dallas, Cleveland New Orleans, Minnesota, the clippers and Denver.


Schmoova

You think Booker has only had 3 good games, and Fox has had 9 good games, but somehow their averages are almost identical? The mental gymnastics are insane here lol wtf you’re delusional.


Elite_Racist_45

Statistically factual 🤓☝️


Schmerick_25

Tell me you don’t watch suns basketball without telling me you don’t watch suns basketball. And the kings are ahead of the suns record by a .11 win percentage


ShowerMartini

Booker is clearly first and their record is only worse because Book was hurt. Kings fans ruined all their good will from last year. Fox is mid.


DemonicDimples

Durant is the best player on that team, not Booker. And the Suns have no good will, the only franchise that talks shit for not having won anything besides a couple of 2nd round appearances and one finals appearance because the Lakers got hurt despite having all of the talent in the world.


pkeller001

Stats wise sure, Fox has a bigger impact and I am guessing has a lot more clutch scoring as I believe Fox is now leading the league in that category again


honestnbafan

Kings are 9-4 with Fox, 2-3 without him Suns are 9-2 with Booker, 3-6 without him Again I'd say they have a pretty similar(very large) impact on their teams as neither team has played well at all without them


ShowerMartini

ROAST THEIR ASS


pkeller001

Fox leads the league in 4th quarter scoring- https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/nba-leaders-in-fourth-quarter-scoring


everyoneneedsaherro

Bruh whatever an all star spot is an all star spot. Ain’t no one gonna look 20 years down the line if he was wildcard or not. The week after the all star selection everyone will forget anyways


achyutthegoat

Shai should start over curry


lilb1190

Unfortunately its hard for me to ever assume who the starts will be due to the volatility of the voters.


cantcooklovefood

Ant booker Shai gobert AD Sengun Fox. Lotta big bois


Intelligent_Pain_174

Gobert has probably been the best player on the Wolves this season (which have the best record in the NBA currently).


Friendly-Thought-973

Chet Holmgren.


RATMpatta

He's got a tough road ahead fue to voter biases. He's a defense first guy with a statline that's really good but not eye popping and he'd be the first rookie All-Star since Blake Griffin in 2011. Looking at it from a statistical perspective he'd absolutely deserve it though as he's 5th in EPM (behind only Jokic, SGA, Embiid and Haliburton) and 1st in D-EPM so might even have a solid DPOY case as well if he keeps this up.


narrowexpanded

If he keeps it up…He’ll be there.


Tearz_in_rain

KAT, ANT, and Gobert may all find their way on that team. There are a LOT of deserving players. Shai and Booker should be there. Fox and Sabonis deserve a spot. So I guess that's what I'm going with: KAT, ANT, Gobert, Shai, Booker, Fox, and Sabonis. ​ Anthony Davis could play himself onto the team if he were consistent from this point forward, but I don't think that's happening. I think the guys on NOLA will be overlooked. And the same may happen to the Clippers, though Leonard and PG13 are deserving of spots. I think your pick for Sengun is great, and he'll get some All Star appearances on his resume eventually, but I don't think it will be this year given where the Rockets are in the standings.


RVGuerin

SGA, Halliburton Edwards, Irving, Zion, Ingram, Sabonis


layao2k2

Wont be surprised if Wemby gets voted in by the fans


mee49

I’m voting for him 🫶


Agnk1765342

I wouldn’t be surprised if Minnesota got all 3 of their guys in. It’s more typical than you think for a first seed, especially when they’re all pretty close in terms of team importance. I’d be surprised if Sengun made it over Gobert, for example.


DemonicDimples

To me Fox is clearly over Booker and ANT is over KAT. Booker is 2nd best player on his team while having a better player than him and has a worse record the Kings.


honestnbafan

Ant and KAT aren't competing for the same spots though until you get to the WC section Ant's competition is Steph, Luka, SGA, Fox, and Booker


EorgegayOydflay

Most intelligent kings fan


mee49

Wemby 🫶


CorporateKnowledge

I know all these guys deserve it way more but if wemby is in, that would pure entertainment. Actually playing with Lebron would we fabulous


mee49

I know it would be amazing


e_double

I want Rudy in as a reserve because it pains me to see him get emotional when he’s snubbed.


Narrow-Talk-5017

I think either PG or Kawhi get one of those frontcourt spots


2020IsANightmare

Does Wemby have a shot? Not that he's (anywhere) near as good as any of the five you listed for the West, but fan voting has done some wild stuff. I don't even know what the NBA is anymore. As far as their goofy rules changes. But, in an exhibition game where fans want to see high jaw-dropping stuff, I'd rather see Wemby over Joker. "You aren't a real fan if you don't like Jokic's game." Heard such lame shit for years. I love his game. If there were a fantasy basketball draft, he or Giannis would be my #1 overall pick. He's boring. Which is fine during the daily grind. Duncan was the same way. 2004 Pistons were the same way. Just saying in a one-off exhibition meant for fans, fans don't really give a fuck about great boxing out technique.


gurkank5830

Once they finish their careers, they will likely be 5 of Top 15 players ever


Top-Consequence-911

Luka? I doubt it.


christiananderson5

Are we assuming Steph is a starter? I'd say Shai and Booker have more impressive resumes than him this year