Last Thursday, the NBA All Star Reserves were announced, with seven players from each conferences completing the rosters for the event billed for Cleveland, Ohio on February 20. The seven reserves were voted for by the 30 head coaches in the NBA. Each selected two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players from any position, but were not permitted to choose players from their team. However, the announcement did not come without some omissions. There would be candidates, worthy of the nod, but who just end up missing out. Keep in mind that there will be replacement players, provided any of the ones selected are unable to play because of an injury. All-Star captain for the East, Kevin Durant is expected to miss the game with a sprained MCL. Also, Draymond Green miss the game with a back injury. LAMELO BALL, CHARLOTTE HORNETS Arguably one of the biggest snubs in the ASG is the wonder kid leading the “East Coast Showtime”. Ball averages 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. His decent shooting percentages of 46.4/36.1/87.5, alongside the fact that he ranks in the top 10 of assist leaders and top 15 of steals generators do come as a surprise that he is not considered as one of top 12 players in the East. Ball has also registered four triple-doubles this season, tied for seventh-most. That said, the league is sure to miss the up-tempo playstyle, brilliant passing and playmaking of the 2021 Rookie of the Year in the All-Star game.
NBA what is this? You know good and well LaMelo Ball deserved that All Star spot. This ain’t it. pic.twitter.com/PA8AWLwkkF — LaMelo Ball Updates (@Meloleague) February 4, 2022
JARRET ALLEN, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Not only is the game in Cleveland this year, but they actually have an All-Star in Darius Garland! But they should have had two of them in the game. Known as FroHio, Jarrett Allen is averaging 16.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 67.8 percent from the field. He’s been nothing short of amazing this year and is helping the Cavs rank third in defensive rating, thanks to his blocks and rim protection. The big-man duo of Allen and Evan Mobley has been great for the Cavs, and Allen has the better statline. He deserved to be on the team this year.
Jarrett Allen tonight: 29 Points 22 Rebounds 60% FG pic.twitter.com/SYCVIwPw4v — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 5, 2022
ANTHONY DAVIS, LOS ANGELES LAKERS Davis is 11th in scoring in the Western Conference, scoring at least 27 points in each of his last three games and is showing little rust since returning from injury. While his jump shot has plummeted this year, he is making a career-best 56.8 percent of his two-pointers and playing a level of defense that ranges from solid to elite. Missing so much time with a sprained knee this season likely affected his chances of earning a selection for the first time since the 2012/2013 season, but he should be a front-runner to be a replacement player.
Anthony Davis is the first Lakers player with 3 straight 25-point, 15-rebound games since Shaquille O'Neal in 2001. pic.twitter.com/ZxMVibJ5Kb — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 6, 2022
DEJOUNTE MURRAY, SAN ANTONIO SPURS Murray has made a huge leap this season for the Spurs to become one of the game’s better point guards. The 25-year-old is averaging 19.6 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.5 rebounds per game — numbers that basically only superstars can match. The lanky 6’4 guard is a shifty ball handler in the pick-and-roll, and one of the league’s leaders in drives per game. Unfortunately, the Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league, which likely prevented Murray from getting the recognition he deserves.
Dejounte Murray is snubbed. 19.6 PPG 8.5 RPG (2nd among guards) 9.1 APG (4th in NBA) 10 Triple-Doubles (Spurs record) He and Luka are the only players averaging 18/8/8 this season. pic.twitter.com/QwdlYfjelT — StatMuse (@statmuse) February 4, 2022
JRUE HOLIDAY, MILWAUKEE BUCKS One of the biggest shocks of the All-Star reserve announcements for the Eastern Conference is naming Khris Middleton as the Bucks’ second player and not Holiday. No discredit to K-Mid’s good season, but Holiday has been making a legitimate case for the All-Star ballot this year. Holiday has been steadily making 18 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals, all while guarding the opposing team’s best player. The two-way UCLA product has been in the top 15 of the assists and steals category this season with 49.5/39.2/75.5 shooting splits.
Biggest snub in the East? LaMelo Ball: — 19.9 PPG — 7.2 RPG — 7.7 APG — 43/36/87% Jrue Holiday: — 18.0 PPG — 6.7 APG (leads Bucks) — 49.5 FG% — 39.2 3P% (career high) Jarrett Allen: — 16.0 PPG — 10.7 RPG — 67.8 FG% — 2nd 15/10 on 65 FG% season in the last 40 seasons pic.twitter.com/Q7mw9mskzz — StatMuse (@statmuse) February 4, 2022
#AnthonyDavis #DejounteMurray #JrueHoliday #LaMeloBall #JarrettAllen