A breakdown of the players who were deserving of an All-Star spot but were left off the reserve roster for the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Photo Courtesy of Brynn Anderson/AP
The All-Star reserves were announced on Thursday, and players like Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves were named reserves of the West. The Eastern Conference reserves include players like Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.
The East and West teams are strong this year, but as always, there are snubs. Some players were deserving of All-Star spots but missed out. With that said, here are some of the All-Star snubs.
1.) Trae Young
Trae Young is one of the most exciting young guards in the league. The Atlanta Hawks may be having a lackluster season (as they are 10th in the East with a record of 22-27), but they are on a four-game winning streak. And despite their ups and downs, Trae Young has been playing well. Young averages 27.3 points, 10.9 assists and 1.5 steals. Young has had some big performances this season, and in an OT win over the Golden State Warriors over the weekend, Young finished with 35. Young is an exciting player that is made for the All-Star game. The race for East Guards was tough this year, and Young was left out. And some would call it a snub.
2.) De’Aaron Fox
The race for West guards was just as tough if not tougher than the East. There are some talented guards in the West, and a guard from one of the top West teams will be left out. De’Aaron Fox averages 27.5 points, 5.4 assists, four rebounds and 1.8 steals. Fox can put up big numbers, and over the weekend, he had a 41-point game. Fox made the All-Star game for the first time last season, and down the line, he could be in another. But for now, some would argue he deserved a spot.
3.) Domantas Sabonis
Like Fox, his teammate Domantas Sabonis is playing well. Sabonis averages 19.9 points, 13.0 rebounds, and eight assists. Sabonis is consistent and one of the big reasons the Sacramento Kings are top five in the West. The frontcourt of the West is competitive, and unfortunately, Sabonis was left out. However, he and Fox both deserved spots.
4.) Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert is back to his old ways (after what seemed like a slump). He is doing an excellent job with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and is one of the main reasons they are second in the West. Gobert averages 13.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Gobert is a key player for the Timberwolves right now, and like his teammates Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns (who were named reserves), Gobert deserved a spot.
5.) James Harden
James Harden did not have the best start, but things are somewhat turning around. Harden averages 16.9 points, 8.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals. The Clippers are currently third in the West and look like they could be a team to beat come playoff time. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George made the All-Star team, and some would argue that Harden could have made it as well.
The All-Star teams are set, but with potential injuries, some of these players could still make the teams. So, we will see what happens.