Good thing, too, because James wouldn’t be invited if everyone stuck to a .500-or-better standard that many coaches deploy as a way of filtering their reserve picks.
1 talent, that marvelous passing, will be the iso-heavy play and lack of defense that pervades the All-Star Game for the first three-plus quarters.
Sabonis has earned the third frontcourt spot from me in a close call over home-market darling Lauri Markkanen with his all-around play, his effect on the Kings’ culture, and his longtime low-wattage appreciation.
But Memphis’ Ja Morant — arguably the NBA’s most exciting player and the engine of the Grizzlies’ recent 11-game winning streak and overall success — is just as deserving and built for All-Star entertainment.
Jokic is one of two players averaging at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists; the other is Sabonis, who has posted 23 consecutive double-doubles, the longest streak in the NBA this season.
The final frontcourt spot goes to the ageless wonder that is LeBron James, who is posting stats – 29.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 6.9 apg, 50.8 FG% — that have never been seen before by a player in their 20th NBA season.
Though Morant deserves kudos for the Grizzlies’ 27-12 record with him in the lineup, the Warriors’ 16-16 record with Curry has largely to do with issues unrelated to him.
As for the Western Conference frontcourt? Figuring out the two first picks became somewhat easier since New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis have missed too many games with injuries.
It became more arduous to choose the final frontcourt spot, though.
Now for Zion … once again he’s in street clothes, but I put more emphasis on games played when choosing the All-NBA teams. For All-Star? Go with the player the fans want to see.
When ballots were due, Doncic had played in nine more wins , while Morant’s Grizzlies were 31-14.
Then it was either James or Markkanen, and it came down to James doing a little more for his team , Markkanen probably would have been the pick.
But after really pondering that selection, not to mention the fact the 12th-place Lakers don’t deserve to have two All-Star starters, the ballot you see above reflects the change in thinking.
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