The Odd Men Out: 2022 NBA All Star Snubs

Before we talk about who got snubbed for the All Star game, let’s take a look at the actual 2022 NBA All Star game starters and reserves.

All Star Game Starters

Eastern Conference

*Kevin Durant (captain), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Trae Young, DeMar Derozan.

Western Conference

Lebron James (captain), Nikola Jokic, Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry. Ja Morant.

All Star Game Reserves

Eastern Conference

Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Fred VanVleet.

Western Conference

Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Rudy Gobert,*Draymond Green, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Karl-Anthony Towns.

Now that we seen the list for NBA All Star starters and reserves, let’s look at five snubs from each conference for the 2022 NBA all star game. We’ll also look at possible reasons why each player could be a snub, as well as their stats (from Basketball Reference.com).

2022 NBA All Star Game Snubs

Eastern Conference

Jaylen Brown

24.2 Points per game with 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, with 45.9% field goal, 35.7% from 3 and 78.8% from the line in 39 games.

With Kevin Durant out past the all star break due to injury, I believe Brown will be the injury replacement for Durant. What Makes Brown a snub is due to the Celtics struggles. The Celtics are only 28-25 and are ninth place in the Eastern conference. If the Celtics had a better record, I believe Brown would be on the initial all star team alongside his teammate Jayson Tatum.

LaMelo Ball

19.9 Points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, with 42.6% field goal, 35.8% from 3 and 87.3% from the line in 45 games.

Despite his team, the Hornets have an improved 28-24 record, Ball is on the outside looking in. I would have personally put him on the list over a few of the reserves, over the likes of maybe Khris Middleton or Fred VanVleet. Still, Lamelo Ball is having an amazing season and is a huge reason why the Hornets are much better now. If they had a better record and standing in the east (they are currently the eight seed as of February 4^th ), I believe the coaches would have him as a easy pick for the all star reserves.

Jrue Holiday

18.0 Points per game with 4.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, with 49.5% field goal, 39.2% from 3 and 75.5% from the line in 40 games.

Holiday is a key piece to the hopes of the Bucks going for a back to back championship ring. He’s an effective all- around two-way player who plays well on both ends of the floor. So why isn’t he on the all star team? Well, you can thank having two other teammates already on the team, plus the East has plenty of quality and worthy candidates this season, so there wasn’t really the spot for Holiday to be on the team.

Bam Adebayo

18.1 Points per game with 10.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, with 52.5% field goal, 0.0% from 3 and 76.4% from the line in 28 games.

Adebayo is another quality two- way player, who might have made the team if he was healthy for most of the season. He did have a hand injury that sidelined him for a bit which kind of hurt his chances at being selected, despite of the stellar season he’s having. He’s also a key part of the Miami Heat’s 33-20 record, good for second in the east (as of February 4^th ). Maybe if he would have played a few more games he could have gotten the nod for a spot as a reserve.

Jarrett Allen

16.0 Points per game with 10.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, with 67.8% field goal, 11.1% from 3 and 69.0% from the line in 44 games.

Allen, alongside Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, are some of the key players that have helped the Cavs to their surprising 31-21 record. This record has them tied for fourth in the East. Unfortunately since they are all competing to be first time all stars, Garland has gotten the nod over Allen, who has improved tremendously on both ends of the court.

Western Conference

Anthony Davis

23.6 Points per game with 9.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, with 52.4% field goal, 17.5% from 3 and 73.5% from the line in 32 games.

Davis has had a tough season for the 25-28 Lakers. Currently ninth in the West, the Lakers are underperforming and Davis unfortunately is one of the many players that isn’t playing well right now. Plus he has missed some games with an MCL injury so that what also takes him out of the consideration this season (for now).

Anthony Edwards

22.3 Points per game with 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, with 44.2% field goal, 36.0% from 3 and 81.3% from the line in 46 games.

Edwards has been a god send to the Timberwolves. I believe he can become the true face of the franchise for them one day, ahead of Towns. They are currently in seventh place at 27-25 (as of February 4^th ), but still Towns will get most of the credit and the nod for the all star spot for now. The NBA should be on the lookout for Edwards though, who is getting better and better each game. Semi hot take, but if the Timberwolves still improve and are good next season, Edwards will be on the all star team for sure.

Dejounte Murray

19.6 Points per game with 8.5 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, with 45.2% field goal, 31.8% from 3 and 74.0% from the line in 46 games.

Murray is a solid player but is on a horrible Spurs team. The Spurs are twelfth in the West with a 19-35 record. Maybe on a better team he can be and all star, but to be honest, despite his good numbers, I don’t think Murray will be an all star any time soon. When he does join a contender, whether on the Spurs or elsewhere, it won’t be him being the franchise guy, nor will he be an all-star either.

Kristaps Porzingis

19.2 Points per game with 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, with 45.1% field goal, 28.3% from 3 and 86.5% from the line in 34 games.

Porzingis is getting back to all-star form. Sure he has missed some games, but with Kidd as his coach he has had resurgence. Too bad for him the West he’ll have to get past Gobert and Towns to possibly get a spot. There’s hope for him though, due to Draymond Green’s injury keeping him out beyond the all star game. Maybe Porzingis can be an Injury replacement for Green and will get in that way.

Russell Westbrook

18.7 Points per game with 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, with 44.1% field goal, 30.5% from 3 and 67.4% from the line in 53 games.

Westbrook has had a tough season by his standards. Being the main person blamed for the Lakers woes, although some of it is true, it isn’t all his fault. He puts up amazing numbers on paper but has massive flaws otherwise. It seems that his all star days maybe over.