We’re nearing the midway point of the NBA season, indicating we’re inching closer to some key dates. One such date is February 19, when the 2023 NBA All-Star Game will take place. And just about a month and a half out, the first fan returns are in.
When scrolling through the list of 40 players — 20 from each conference, half guards and half frontcourt players — you’ll begin to internally ask yourself some questions — questions that need immediate answers such as, “why is [insert player] not on this list?” Or, “HOW DOES [insert player] have this many votes?!”
The power of the fan vote remains hilarious and frustrating simultaneously, and this season’s first returns are no different.
Here are some of the strangest findings after Thursday’s first returns.
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No Julius Randle
Julius Randle is averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game while also bringing in 10.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest on a New York Knicks team he’s helped lead to the sixth spot in the East standings. If that doesn’t scream “All-Star,” I don’t know what does.
Where's Domantas Sabonis?
Oooo, yeah, I’m not sure the fan vote needs to exist much longer if the best player on THE surprise team in the league isn’t being recognized. The Sacramento Kings are currently leading the Pacific Division and are in fifth place out West. You can thank Sabonis’ 18.7-point, 12.5-rebound, 6.7-assist averages for that.
What's Derrick Rose doing on this list?
New York voters … excuse me? How is Julius Randle not getting your vote but Derrick Rose, who’s averaging fewer than 6.0 points per game and is mostly out of the Knicks’ nightly rotation, is?
Kevon Looney? Kevon Looney!
Umm, alright. When you consider guys left off the list like the aforementioned Domantas Sabonis, I can’t get behind Looney getting this many votes. It is cool to see fans recognizing how good he is and how important he’s been for these Warriors, though.
Lakers' reserves getting love
The power of the Lakers’ brand. The depth of the Lakers’ fan base.
Stop disrespecting Bam Adebayo
I don’t get why Adebayo is so underappreciated after all these years. You would think especially this season, in which he’s undoubtedly been Miami’s best and most consistent player, he’d get the love. Oh well.
