With the announcement of the full All-Star game rosters, we now know a lot more about the game. The first thing that needs to be discussed regarding the all-star game is who got snubbed? That’s what we’re going to highlight here.
Players can and likely will still be added. For example, Devin Booker didn’t make the initial western conference roster but was selected by commissioner Adam Silver to replace the injured Anthony Davis. It’s possible we will see more replacements as the game gets closer, and if we do, these players should be the top candidates to be added to the game.
We’re taking a look at the three biggest all-star game snubs for this year’s game. Not everyone can get in, so naturally, every season will have a number of players that can be classified as snubs. These players certainly have a case to be in the game, but as of today will not be participating.
Here are the 2021 All-Star game snubs.
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
Sabonis made his first career all-star team last season in his breakout campaign with the Indiana Pacers. This year, he’s done nothing to show signs of regression and in actuality only improved on his first all-star caliber season a year ago.
His numbers have been essentially the same as a year ago, besides his increase in scoring by about three points per game. That increase put him over 20 points per contest to go along with double-digit rebounding and over five assists per contest.
As the leader of this Pacers team, he has kept them in the thick of things in the eastern conference. The Pacers currently hold the fourth spot in terms of playoff seeding. This is despite the absence of T.J. Warren and Caris LeVert for extended periods of time. LeVert hasn’t dressed for the team following being acquired essentially for former All-Star Victor Oladipo.
Many would agree the Pacers should have taken a bigger hit with these absences. Yet through it all, Sabonis has led the team and prevented a dip in production that was expected. Sabonis has to be at the top of the list in terms of injury replacements for this years game.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Another eastern conference snub comes in the form of the Hawks young franchise player. Like Sabonis, Young made his first all-star game last season and appeared to be on his way to back-to-back all-star game appearances. Although that didn’t come to fruition, Young will be a mainstay in the exhibition game for years to come.
The third-year guard got off to a relatively slow start this season before turning it up and producing at the level that is expected of him. Despite the slow start, he’s on track to set a new career-high in assists per game.
The Hawks are currently outside the playoff picture in a shallow eastern conference. They’ve dealt with a lot of injuries and missed games, but that doesn’t excuse the poor results on the court. Young is doing his part, though, scoring and distributing at an elite level.
DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs
The veteran wing is leading the charge for the surprisingly good San Antonio Spurs this season, giving him a legitimate argument for an all-star spot. The Spurs are currently in the sixth spot in the western conference, much higher than anyone expected from them entering this season.
DeRozan has proven to be a willing leader as he adjusts his game to do what’s best for the team. He is averaging just under 20 points per game to go along with his 6.9 assists and five rebounds. The assists are a career-high, an impressive feat in his 12th NBA campaign. To go along with that career-high he is turning the ball over less than every season of his career besides his rookie campaign.
If wins and losses were valued more for all-star selections, DeRozan would definitely be one of the players selected.
Below are the honorable mentions for the 2021 NBA All-Star game snubs.
Honorable Mentions:
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
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