The Denver Nuggets will be represented by Nikola Jokic again at the 2024 All-Star game, with none of Jokic’s teammates joining him. The reigning Finals MVP has long been appreciated as the only consistent All-Star on the Nuggets roster, but Aaron Gordon doesn’t agree with that sentiment.
“I don’t know why that is. I’m not entirely sure, it’s a mystery to me. Doesn’t make any sense. When I was on the outside looking in, I was like don’t know, Denver only has one All-Star. Now on the inside, it’s like you got Jamal, Mike, me, KCP, but I don’t know. Makes no sense to me. ‘Mali should have definitely been an All-Star this year.”
Aaron Gordon on the Nuggets only having one player at All-Star Weekend: "I don't know why that is. Not entirely sure. That's a mystery to me. Doesn't make any sense."
"It's just peanuts to an elephant." pic.twitter.com/1qJT0I32VV
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 15, 2024
Gordon was a popular choice for a possible All-Star selection last season. Jamal Murray was still finding his rhythm after spending a year-and-a-half out with injury, with Gordon stepping up as the No. 2 option with elite defense to lead the Nuggets to the No. 1 seed. While coach Michael Malone went to the All-Star game, Gordon was left off the ballot.
Gordon is averaging 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season. He hasn’t been considered a potential All-Star this year due to the Nuggets not having the No. 1 seed in the West and Murray re-establishing himself as the secondary scoring option.
Jamal Murray Opened Up On Being Snubbed For All-Star
Jamal Murray is quickly gaining the reputation of the best player to never make an All-Star game. The field of West guards has always been impossible to break into, with Murray as a second option in Denver always falling short of guards like Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic. Now he’s also competing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Devin Booker, while he was also dealing with Damian Lillard and James Harden in the past.
Murray spoke to The Athletic about his All-Star snub, revealing he’s an All-Star in the playoffs when he’s needed and has a championship to back up what he says.
“Obviously, I would love to be an All-Star. I’d love to get that kind of recognition. But I think when you win in the playoffs, you win on the biggest stages you play and show yourself on the biggest stages and you prove yourself against those so-called All-Stars, (then it’s) whatever… I mean I’m doing it. I’m an All-Star when you need the All-Star to show up — in the playoffs… But (not being selected an All-Star) doesn’t hurt me like that, psychologically. I haven’t made it for so long, and I’m a champion. And I’m on the best team in the world playing with the best player in the world.”
With Kawhi Leonard reportedly hurt and Doncic leaving the Mavericks win over the Spurs in the fourth quarter for injury reasons, an injury-reserve spot might open up. If Murray isn’t one of the replacements, it’ll be a disservice to one of the best guards in the West.
Murray hasn’t had many All-Star seasons in the past, as he was an emerging talent in the early years of his career. His first All-Star caliber season was 2019-20 when he wasn’t selected. He got hurt in 2020-21, sat out the 21-22 season, and was slowly ramping up by the time All-Star selections were made last season. He’s averaging 20.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season
If Murray continues playing the way he has for Denver in the last two seasons, it’s only a matter of time before he gets recognized as an All-Star.
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