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The 2023 NBA All-Star starters were announced Thursday, with LeBron James joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections with 19.
Expected All-Star starters include James, Brooklyn Nets guard Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Milwaukee Bucks guard Giannis Antetokounmpo.
2023 NBA All-Star Game Starters:LeBron James is the 19th selection, joined by Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic.
But, as always, there are players who have performed well so far in the season and just missed out on the All-Star starting lineup. While he could still be named to the team as a reserve, the glory of being named a starter carries extra weight.
Here are the snubs of the NBA All-Star starting lineup.
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Joel Embiid — Philadelphia 76ers
Durant, Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid are good starters in the East. But it was a numbers game. He is the only three to be voted for as a frontcourt starter. It’s not like someone out of the group is out of place. Embiid happened to be left behind.
The Philadelphia 76ers center has been an All-Star for the past five years. This season, he is the league’s second-leading scorer, averaging 33.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Jaylen Brown — Boston Celtics
In the guard spot, Kyrie Irving was a fan favorite and scored the starting knot, but Boston’s Jaylen Brown has had a better season. He averaged 26.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Nets Star averages 26.8 points and 5.1 boards per game.
It would have been a better choice.
Ja Morant — Memphis Grizzlies
In the West, Memphis’ Ja Morant could have easily started in the backcourt alongside Luka Doncic, but Curry has no problem. I’m here.
Morant, who was named to the All-Star team for the first time last year, will join the team as a reserve.
Domantas Sabonis — Sacramento Kings
In the frontcourt, it can be argued that Zion Williamson has not played enough games (just 29) and Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis should have been named one of the starters.
Sabonis has started 45 games this season and is leading the league with 12.4 rebounds per game.
Lauri Markkanen — Utah Jazz
The same case can be made that Lauri Markkanen should have been named as one of the starters.The 25-year-old has never been named to an All-Star Game but has started 46 games so far this season. averaging 24.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
But as long as they make it as a reserve… no harm, no foul.
By: Victoria Hernandez
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