The 2023 NBA All-Star starters were announced Thursday night, and we saw a few familiar superstars. To name a few: LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Nikola Jokic. There were, of course, also the customary snubs. (Where’s Joel Embiid?)
But one 2023 All-Star starter selection had parts of the NBA world raising its brow (no pun intended).
After missing the entire 2021-2022 campaign, the New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson was named an All-Star starter for the first time in his young career. While Williamson has had a special season — averaging 26 points, seven rebounds, and almost five assists — he hasn’t played a game since early January thanks to a hamstring strain.
This distinction made some believe that the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (27 points, 12 boards, 2.6 assists) deserved a starting spot more than Williamson. Davis has had his fair share of health issues this year, too, but has played in just three fewer games than the Pelicans’ talisman.
Naturally, Williamson leapfrogging Davis created a schism in the basketball community.
NBA fans had mixed thoughts about Williamson leapfrogging Davis to be an All-Star starter
Zion over AD was a choice
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) January 27, 2023
zion williamson in 29 games 26ppg 7 rebounds .6 blks eFG 62%
anthony davis in 26 games 27.2ppg 12.1 rebounds 2.2 blks eFG 60%
nasty voting man very nasty voting
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) January 27, 2023
Zion Williamson leapfrogs Anthony Davis as the final Western Conference front court starter. That's all, folks! https://t.co/3wHoLgixgw
— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) January 27, 2023
Zion Williamson (29 Games)
26 PPG
7 RPG
4.6 APG
0.6 BPG
1.1 SPG
3.4 TOs per game
65.2 TS%Anthony Davis (26 Games)
27.2 PPG
12.1 RPG
2.6 APG
2.2 BPG
1.3 SPG
1.9 TOs per game
65.9 TS%The agenda is clear. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/dz1RRjQbVA
— 🜲⁶ (@InBronWeTrust) January 27, 2023
Anthony Davis miss more games than Zion Williamson https://t.co/2hcYnFCTWy
— Von (@vonnyvon95) January 27, 2023
Zion starting over Anthony Davis in the all star game is nasty work. Games played is not a good excuse so don’t try it
— Coach James 🇭🇹 (@JamesEdrick3) January 27, 2023
Anthony Davis was having an MVP season btw, that’s the person y’all robbed of the starting position on the All Star team. Like, is Zion even the best player on his team? Very debatable
— Pepé Silvia ⚜️ (@SlayYoung23) January 27, 2023
Zion instead of AD? Coaches and media got it wrong https://t.co/bzWpNdfbdO
— Action Costanza (@FlightDavis1) January 27, 2023
Anthony Davis has been an all star starter 3 times in his career. Let Zion have this one. It ultimately doesn't matter because they're both all stars. https://t.co/ie7pOQnFTd
— LeJokic 👑🃏 (@KazMolo23) January 27, 2023
Anothny Davis deserves that nod over Zion. #Respectfully https://t.co/HhQUlbRsvG
— AHMAD K SMITH (@AKISNBA) January 27, 2023
