The NBA named their All-Star reserves tonight and have added 14 players to join the 10 that had been named as starters. Players are equally split between both conferences but there was no way for the league to avoid controversy around players being snubbed when the list came out.
Charles Barkley criticized the decision to not name Jalen Brunson as an All-Star given how much he has improved the New York Knicks since joining the team in the summer. Brunson has had 11 30-point games this season and has finally given the Knicks a stable point guard option.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1621300834318553089
“I am kinda shocked Jalen Brunson didn’t make it. This is one of the best free agent signings in a long time, I am not saying take anybody off, but I am saying Jalen Brunson deserved to make this team… None of those other (snubs) should make it onto the team before Jalen Brunson.”
Barkley also criticized the decision to keep De’Aaron Fox off the list after the success the Sacramento Kings are having this season with Fox at the helm.
Charles Barkley on De'Aaron Fox's All-Star snub: “I’m more surprised by De’Aaron Fox because the Sacramento Kings have the third-best record in the West. They have the third-best record in the West, so I’m surprised. … I am really shocked De’Aaron Fox didn’t make this team.”
— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) February 3, 2023
Both Brunson and Fox have frontcourt teammates that have been selected as All-Stars in Julius Randle and Domantas Sabonis. Giving both teams 2 All-Stars would’ve been tough and this is a testament to the battle to be a guard in the NBA and make All-Star appearances.
Guards Always Struggle To Make It In As All-Stars
The depth at the guard position in the NBA is incredible and every year many guards get snubbed. Outside of Anthony Davis and Pascal Siakam, most high-profile snubs are guards. Brunson wasn’t the only East guard to not make it, with Trae Young, Darius Garland, and James Harden also having strong All-Star cases.
In the West, Fox joins Devin Booker as a major snub from the conference. However, it was hard to make a case for Fox over 4 of the players that were selected, with an argument to be made for Fox over Damian Lillard. Both players should be front-runners to make it into the game if any player sits out with an injury at the last minute.
Brunson is averaging 22.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds this season, while Fox is averaging 24.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.
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