This year’s All-Stars have been announced and after seeing the list I feel a few players were unlucky to miss out. In saying that, I’ll review every player and make a judgement on whether they deserve to either start, be on the reserves, or just not be there at all.
My Robbed Starting 5:
Anthony Edwards: If anyone has seen my previous articles that involve the Timberwolves, you would know I highly rate Ant’s game and how good he is at a such young age. His ability to control / takeover a game whenever he wants has made the timberwolves get through a rough patch without KAT. Joke
James Harden: My guy is averaging 21ppg, 6rpg, and 11 apg and has somehow lost his spot to either Haliburton or Holiday. Let’s be deadset here, Harden is clear of them both and I get the argument for Haliburton to an extent but Jure Holiday?! Don’t get me wrong, Jure is great but not better than Harden this season.
Trae Young: Come on, I mean yes he is inefficient but seriously? 29 Points and 9 assists! He could be a starter but he somehow isn’t even a reserve. I’m speechless and I hate this man with a passion. Plain and simple stitch-up if you ask me.
Pascal Siakam: Once again why is he not playing? 25,8,6!!! He is playing out of this world and yes they may not always win and be having a tough season but wow. I would have him over Randle and Bam any day.
Devin Booker, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis: I get that maybe they haven’t played enough games and that’s why I have put them all in the same section here but no one with an NBA brain can sit there and tell anyone that these 3 aren’t all stars. Davis, there is a slight slight argument to be made but D Book and Kawhi are deadset robbed. Kawhi is a starter no doubt but D Book is easily on the bench as well as AD.
Unlucky to miss out but deserved to miss out – De’aaron Fox: Great season from Fox he has been unreal for the kings. The Kings look so switched on this season and he is the main reason they are getting wins. Just misses the cut for me as Shai, Curry, Doncic, Ja and Dame all deserve to be there but he should still be over the moon with his game at the moment. Light the beam!
Should Joel Embiid be starting?: Honestly, the fact that this man is on the bench makes me want to just cry. The most overhated man on planet earth. This guy averages 34ppg, 10rpg, 4asp, 1 steal, 1.7 blocks, on 54% FG percentage and 35% from 3. Those are MVP numbers. But somehow he isn’t starting! Beyond me. Who’s place do I think he takes though?
Well, I think you should be playing the 1-5 position wise so for me it’s Durant at the 3, Giannis at the 4, and Embiid at the 5. Meaning Jayson Tatum misses out which is extremely controversial as well. I’m okay with Tatum or Durant missing out but for me, KD has the smallest of edges over Tatum. Anyway, Embiid has been robbed here but I think he will still play tonnes of minutes in the game itself and hopefully, it ends up being as good as last year’s!
Yes, I’m also aware that not everyone in the robbed list could have made it but those are the players I feel got unlucky. Anyway, I’ll leave the snubs and accept it for what it is and continue on to our 2023 NBA All-Star teams. What a game it will be!
The Starters
Western Conference:
LeBron James: Top 2 all-time, 38 and in the MVP conversation in my opinion, no point in me getting too far into this one as he has been unreal this season. Deserved starter and captain.
Stephen Curry: This guy just has fun when he plays. So effortless in his stroke. Best PG of all time in my opinion and once again deserved starter.
Luka Doncic: What a freak, carries Dallas so hard and is the future of the NBA. People’s champion as well always helps the multi-out and I love this guy as a player. Deserved starter.
Nikola Jokic: AKA “Joel Embiid’s son” has been a magician on the court as always. The battle between him and Embiid was the best basketball I’ve seen from two centres in my lifetime. No doubt he is a starter and hopefully, they give him a crack at captain soon.
Zion Williamson: Can’t really disagree with him being a starter however, he hasn’t been that active this season and if he is eligible to start/play then AD, Kawhi etc should be there. That being said, Zion is insane and just has that takeover factor about him, love watching him play.
Eastern Conference:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Should be the captain and is arguably the best player in the league and has been for a few years. He will just keep getting better. Deserves to start and be captain.
Kyrie Irving: Just a baller this bloke. So quick and flashy with the ball and is a punishment to defend. 100% a starter.
Donovan Mitchell: Led the Cavs to a great season so far. Had 71 points a month or so back. It would be criminal not to have him start.
Kevin Durant: KD is KD. What do I need to say about this guy? He is just unstoppable and can do whatever he wants. He starts in my books.
Jayson Tatum: Now, as we know I previously said I would have Embiid in the starting lineup over Tatum. However, this kid is legit. Went to the finals last year and is currently the 1 seed. He deserves to start however Embiid didn’t get what he deserved but that’s basketball I guess.
![2023 NBA All-Star reserves revealed | NBA.com](https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2023/02/All-Star-23-Player-Pool-V2-16x9-1-1568x882.jpg)
The Reserves
Western Conference:
Shai Gilgeous Alexander: This guy probably should start at the 2 spot and shift Luka to the 3 but what can we do? Has been amazing this season and reminding NBA fans that the Thunder is never an easy game. 30, 5, 5, and 2 steals! Shai has got the drip on and off the court!
Damien Lillard: He is mucking around at the moment. He averages like 45ppg over his last 5 games and that goes along with 8 dimes as well. No argument here.
Ja Morant: Again no argument and who could seriously argue that he shouldn’t be here? Grizzlies are a contender led by Ja and a team to watch out for this year mainly due to his performance. Future starter.
Domantas Sabonis: I love this guy! He can do everything on the offensive end and is the heart and soul of the Kings’ style of play. Sabonis and Fox are just perfect together. No argument.
Paul George: Paul George is great and most likely deserves to be here however, D Book, AD, Ant and Kawhi deserve the spot over him. Controversial take but his spot is questionable for me.
Lauri Markkenen: You’re a casual if you don’t think he should have made it. This guy is carrying arguably the worst team in the league to a play-in spot. Most improved player no doubt and a well-deserved place.
Jaren Jackson Jr: No, just no. I really rate his game but All-Star is a joke. So many better options that I’ve named above in the Paul George comments. Verdict – Imposter!
Eastern Conference:
Jaylen Brown: Outstanding season, outstanding player, unlucky not to start but who does he start over? Love his game and hopefully, he gives us a show come the All-Star game. 100% deserved.
Joel Embiid: Lol. Top 2 in the MVP race and arguably the MVP. But he’s on the bench somehow. What a stitch-up, get this man in the starting lineup.
Bam Adebayo: Again, Big fan of his game and he is a crucial piece to Miami’s successes however Siakam is better in my opinion. Still and All=Star though. Semi deserved.
Demar DeRozan: I’m not sure what happened to the Bulls but they are not the same as last season. Demar is doing his thing though. 26, 5, 5 is very good. Well deserved.
Julius Randle: Again, I like his game but I’ll have Siakam over him any day. Randle is a baller though and 24,10,4 is very good even though he shoots the ball a fair bit. Had some insane stat lines this season. Semi deserved.
Jure Holiday: Same case as Jaren Jackson Jr, he is the imposter. Who voted for him? Harden, Young, and Siakam are so clear it’s not even funny. Not deserved.
Tyrese Haliburton: Controversial pick but I like it. He is a genius with the ball. Shoots at good percentages, good defender as well and most importantly, he makes the Pacers look actually decent. I’m okay with this pick. Deserved.
Agree with me? Disagree? Comment Below, I would love to discuss!