This weekend Chicago will be hosting NBA All-Star weekend showcasing the league’s best players. Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the leading vote getters and as such have been named team captains. The starters and reserves for each conference are as follows:

 

Starters

Eastern Conference                                              Western Conference

G- Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics                         G-James Harden, Houston Rockets

G-Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks                               G-Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

F-Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks   F-Lebron James, Los Angeles Lakers

F-Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors                       F-Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

C-Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers                       C-Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

 

Reserves

Eastern Conference                                              Western Conference

G- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics                          G-Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

F-Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers                 G-Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

F-Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat                                   F-Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans

G-Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors                             G-Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets

G-Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers                  C-Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

F-Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat                                 G-Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder

G-Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks                  C-Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

 

Notably absent from the selections are players such as Bradley Beal, Paul George, and Devin Booker. Beal and Booker are the only two players in NBA history to average over 27ppg (28.8 and 27.2 respectively) and not be selected to the all star game. Zach Lavine of the Chicago Bulls is also averaging a career high in scoring at 24.9 ppg, and wasn’t selected either.

When it comes to All-Star selections, winning is prioritized over individual stats. This however raises some controversy when players on losing teams get selected over others whose teams may have a better record. Brandon Ingram was selected over Devin booker, even though at this moment their teams possess an equal record. Similarly, no players from the San Antonio Spurs were named as All Stars for the first time since 1997, and the Spurs have a higher seed than both the Pelicans and Suns. In fact, Demar Derozan earlier in the season had a streak of 13 straight games with 20+ points on over 50% from the field, the longest in NBA history. (For perspective, Michael Jordan formerly held the record at 12 games) This outstanding play helped to bring San Antonio back into the playoff picture after a subpar start to the season. Surely that is worthy of All-Star consideration.

Something else to consider is that if the All Star selections prioritize winning. should Trae Young have been voted in as a starter even though his Atlanta Hawks sit at the bottom of the conference at 13-38? Without a doubt he is having a stellar season–the second year guard is averaging a whopping 29.2 ppg and 9 assists. Another notable name missing from the roster is Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, whose streak of four straight selections came to an end this year. But after missing 21 of his teams 50 games so far this season, it isn’t too hard to understand why he was left out.

What do you think, were there any players you thought were snubbed from this year’s All Star game? Let us know in the comments below.

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