Sometimes it’s all about luck, sometimes it’s all about charisma, sometimes none of those things matter. Every single year, multiple stars get snubbed from making the All-Star Game, that’s something that’s just doomed to happen.
Just 26 players (13 per conference) get the nod to be All-Stars. More often than not, those 26 players aren’t the best in the world – most are – but the most popular or those who drive the narrative in their favor.
Needless to say, that means that other players that also deserved it – sometimes even more – just can’t make the cut, and this year wasn’t the exception to that rule. Thus, let’s take a look at the team you could put together with the players that got snubbed from the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
The Ultimate All-Star Snub Team
Reserves: De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Fred VanVleet, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Brandon Ingram, Gordon Hayward, Christian Wood.
Point Guard – Trae Young
Trae Young. (Getty)
Season Stats: 27.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 9.6 APG, 2.3 3PG, 9.1 FT
I’m honestly surprised that Trae Young didn’t get the nod, at least as a reserve. He’s tailor-made for these kinds of games thanks to his crafty moves, stunning playmaking, and limitless range.
The young star made the game last season and is currently leading theAtlanta Hawksto playoff contention. He’s already one of the most unstoppable scorers in the league and he’ll definitely make a couple of these games in his career.
Shooting Guard – Devin Booker
Devin Booker. (Getty)
Season Stats: 24.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.2 3PG, 50% FG
Well, perhaps he’s just a victim of the Kardashian Curse, or maybe – just maybe – he was slightly more deserving of an All-Star spot than his teammate Chris Paul, at least if we talk about stats.
The narrative against Devin Booker was that his team wasn’t winning enough for him to be an All-Star. Now, the Phoenix Suns are one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference and he didn’t make the cut either. He’s likely to get a call if Anthony Davis can’t suit up due to injury.
Small Forward – Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton. (Getty)
Season Stats: 20.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.3 3PG, 49% FG
I don’t get how the second-best player in one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference didn’t get an All-Star nod. Once again, Khris Middleton was a victim of playing for a small market team and being a low-profile kind of guy.
Middleton makes a huge impact on both ends of the floor and his shooting allows Giannis Antetokounmpo to drive at will. He’s also a solid playmaker for his position and a much better defender than people credit him for.
Power Forward – Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis. (Getty)
Season Stats: 21.5 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 52% FG
This one just doesn’t make any sense at all. Domantas Sabonis was coming off an All-Star season last year and his numbers got even better this season, yet he didn’t make the cut. How does that happen?
Sabonis is the heart and soul of this Indiana Pacers team. He’s stepped up as the team’s go-to-guy after they traded Victor Oladipo, TJ Warren got hurt, and Caris LeVert hasn’t even been able to play. This was just disrespectful.
Center – Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo. (Getty)
Season Stats: 19.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.0 BPG, 57% FG
The Miami Heat got off to a slow start of the season and that may have taken a toll on Bam Adebayo’s chances to make the All-Star team. Then again, judging by his numbers, there’s no denying that he’s one of the best big men in the league already.
Adebayo can put the ball on the floor and create for others like not many centers can do. He can play lockdown defense in the perimeter and in the paint, and continues to make strides as a scorer as well.
