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The selection process for the 63rd edition of the NBA‘s All-Star Game to be held in the New Orleans Arena on February 16th was completed last Thursday. The 12 best players from each conference face off in an exhibition game, to be played on Sunday, which marks the end of the All-Star weekend in the NBA.
Ever since the announcement of the full roster for the game, the most trending topic of debate has been the All-Star snubs – the evidently deserving players who didn’t get the nod from the coaches for All-Star selection.
Here’s a compilation of the five most deserving players who didn’t make it to the All-Star game.
1. Mike Conley
You need a lot of luck to be selected as an All-Star guard when you are in a conference filled with premier point guards like Tony Parker, Chris Paul and Damian Lillard. Despite that, Conley would have probably made the West All-Stars had his team registered a better record through the first half of the season.
When Marc Gasol, the backbone of their offense and defense, was out with an injury, Conley stepped up his level of play, and he most certainly deserved an All-Star spot for his numbers.
Both averages of 17.4 points and 7.2 assists and 18 points and 6.3 assists recorded in the absence and presence of the big man respectively are career highs.
His game is not flashy or extravagant so he might not necessarily be entertaining in the way the fans expect an All-Star player to be, but he has proven his worth for Memphis with his exceptional pick and roll game and good court vision.
2. Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic (right)
One half of the dangerous Phoenix Suns back court, Goran Dragic has kept the Suns afloat even without his partner Eric Bledsoe. In January, he has shot 45.9% of his shots from long range while averaging 21.9 points and 6.5 assists. He is the reason behind Phoenix still talking about the Playoffs despite Bledsoe being out with an injury.
The evolution from being a back-up for Steve Nash, for most of his short career, to an All-Star candidate, deserves applause. Damian Lillard’s selection over him surprised many, considering he has a higher rebound rate, assists rate and true shooting percentage than Lillard does.
We might not see his name make it to All-Star selection discussions every year but he could still make it to New Orleans this season with new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver yet to name a replacement for the injured Kobe Bryant.
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins
The 6 foot 11 inches Sacramento Kings centre will be getting unwanted rest this season during the All-Star Weekend as the Conference coaches didn’t name him among the seven All-Star reserves.
The 23-year old has led all centres, averaging 22.6 points at a career high 48.8% shooting from the field. He is also one among just four players in the league who are averaging with 20+ points and 10+ points, with his rebounding average standing at 11.6.
Had the Kings registered a better record or if the traditional centre spot had still stood for the All-Star Game, which would make him a reserve behind a starting centre Dwight Howard, he might have had a better chance to make his first All-Star selection after three seasons in the league.
He stands a very slim chance of still making it if Chris Paul doesn’t return from injury. For the time being, he will be the warming the bench as he set himself back by working too hard to make a quick return from a sprained left ankle.
Lance Stephenson
Lance Stephenson
Lance Stephenson is one of only two players to record averages of 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists, Kevin Durant being the other. He is an invaluable part of championship contenders Indiana Pacers. He is the only player in the league to have more than two triple doubles, with four, and we all know he can entertain.
Stephenson had a good case going to take a flight to New Orleans for the All-Star weekend but Joe Johnson was chosen by the coaches ahead of himself and Kyle Lowry.
His stats do not show any kind of dominance in any aspect of the game but they are what have helped the Pacers get to the league leading record that they have.
Although the Pacers are already well represented with Paul George and Roy Hibbert, it wouldn’t have hurt to have a third All-Star from the dominant Pacers. Missing this year would just be added motivation for Stephenson to perform better the rest of the season. Don’t be surprised to hear his name once again next year.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis
Without any doubt or debate, Anthony Davis missing the All-Star game is the biggest disappointment this season. A terrible team record can be seen as the only reason he wasn’t chosen. On stats and performance Davis deserves the spot ahead of Dwight Howard.
Despite the West being loaded with good teams, Davis is a lone shining performer on the Pelicans roster. He comfortably leads the league in blocked shots, averaging 3.3 for the game. Add to that averages of 20.4 points and 10.4 rebounds, all this from a 20-year-old, and yet he is not an All-Star? Either the coaches think he is too young or they simply haven’t seen the young man play.
Still, this must be Davis’ lucky year because he still stands a good chance to be named the replacement for Kobe Bryant. In case Silver names a guard to replace Bryant, Davis is the most probable choice to replace Chris Paul if he is asked to skip the Game.
The 20- year old has many guaranteed All-Star selections and a long future in the league.
