Even though last year’s changes to the All-Star game added some much-needed (Clip 1) excitement to the NBA All-Star game, it's still essentially a glorified scrimmage between the Association’s biggest stars. That being said, the honor of being selected as an All-Star is no small feat, especially in a league where there is no requirement that every team has a representative. But for every player who has bestowed that honor, there is an equal if not greater number of guys who feel they’ve been “snubbed” by the public and their peers. With the NBA All-Star game coming up this weekend, let’s look back at the biggest snubs since the turn of the century.
Dirk Nowitzki
(2000-2001)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 21.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.1 APG
Dirk would go on to make the next 11 consecutive All-Star games, so I wouldn’t feel too bad for him, but he definitely deserved to make the game in 2001. He was snubbed in favor of Rasheed Wallace, who was averaging 2 points and 1 rebound less a game and had a lower true shooting percentage. Vlade Divac was also selected by David Stern as Shaq’s replacement, a pretty inexplicable decision considering he was averaging 10.4 PPG and 7.8 RPG.
Jalen Rose
(2000-2001)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 21.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.3 APG
In direct contrast to Dirk, Jalen Rose never made an All-Star game, so in hindsight, I think he deserved some sort of lifetime achievement selection after 16 seasons in the league. He was snubbed in favor of Latrell Sprewell and Anthony Mason, who were on stronger teams but had much worse all-around stats.
Monta Ellis
(2009-2010)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 26.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG
Another player to never make an All-Star game, Monta was absolutely balling in 2009-2010. In addition to his offensive dominance, he was also averaging 2.2 steals per game before the All-Star break. More popular guards Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd were selected ahead of him, despite the fact that Kidd was averaging less than 10 points a game when he was selected.
Al Jefferson
(2013-2014)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 20.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Al Jefferson was snubbed for two of the most overrated players in the league in 2014: Roy Hibbert and Joakim Noah. Neither would make another All-Star Game, but that’s probably not much of a consolation for Jefferson who never made an All-Star appearance.
Rudy Gobert
(2016-2017)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 12.9 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.5 BPG
Granted, Rudy’s stats don’t jump off the page, but he was actually scoring more than DeAndre Jordan, and his added influence on the defensive end should’ve earned him the nod.
Karl-Anthony Towns
(2016-2017)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 26.4. PPG, 12.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
Another major snub at the center position in the West this year, KAT was seemingly punished for being on a crappy team. He took his frustration out in the Rising Stars game, going for 24 points and 11 boards on 11/14 shooting.
Bradley Beal
(2019-2020)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 29.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.2 APG
There seemed to be a focus on point guards in the Eastern Conference last year, with 4 of the 5 guard selections playing the lead guard spot. Regardless, Beal’s stats were just too absurd to not put him in the game last year. Kyle Lowry and Khris Middleton were rewarded for being on good teams, but their stats didn’t hold a candle to Beal. He made sure there was no question this year and was selected as an All-Star starter for the first time.
Devin Booker
(2019-2020)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 26.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.3 APG
People likely remember D-Book balling out in the bubble last year more than his All-Star snub, but he definitely deserved to earn his first selection last year. I would’ve taken him over both Chris Paul and Donovan Mitchell, but this year that won’t be an issue as all three will be playing together this weekend.
Trae Young
(2020-2021)
Pre All-Star Game Stats: 26.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 9.5 APG
I don’t care who you take off the Eastern Conference roster for Trae Young, but there’s no way a guy who’s in the top 10 in points and assists per game should not make the All-Star Game. I’m sure he’ll play in a lot more of these games throughout his career, but after Sabonis and Devin Booker were selected as alternates this year, he’s by far the biggest All-Star Game snub this year.
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