The NBA All-Star 2024 starting five for the All-Star game has been revealed, and as usual, fans have something to complain about the results.
The Eastern Conference starters are Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain), Philadelphia 76ers star and 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, Indiana Pacers' (this year's host) Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum of the current best team, Boston Celtics, and Bucks newest addition Damian Lillard.
For the Western Conference, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James, who now owns the record for most All-Star Game appearances with 20, rising superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, last season's Finals MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns top scorer Kevin Durant, and Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic.
None in the starting five is a first-time All-Star.
The NBA All-Star Game Starting Five results are generally acceptable. Still, there are a lot of storylines that appear surprising, interesting, and just unacceptable.
Here are five takeaways for the upcoming All-Star Game:
1. Jalen Brunson was snubbed
The loudest gripe fans have from the announcement is the snub on New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson.
"I would have love to see Jalen Brunson as a starter...he made the Knicks relevant for the first time since Patrick Ewing."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 26, 2024
Chuck's reaction to Jalen Brunson not being named an All-Star starter pic.twitter.com/kK2Y3uM0sA
The one they wanted out of the first five is Damian Lillard. Brunson is carrying the Knicks. He also produces more points than Dame.
The problem with fan voting is that Dame has established a global following since his time with the Portland Trailblazers.
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Before coming to the Bucks, he already made seven All-Star Games.
2. This is Damian Lillard's first-ever start
While this will be Dame's eighth All-Star, this will be his first as a starter. That is surprising, given that he's been in the top tier in the Western Conference.
Maybe it is because the Western Conference has always been stacked with guards, and he had to battle it out with Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden back in the day.
3. Shouldn't the Boston Celtics have multiple starters?
Surprisingly, the Bucks are the only team with multiple starters for the upcoming festivities.
The Celtics should own this distinction, as they have been dominant all season. They have the best defense in the league, with a 110.5 defensive rating. All their starters also score in double digits.
The one who could be a starter is Jaylen Brown. However, the Eastern Conference is stacked with big men. There is no way he deserves it more than Joel Embiid or Giannis.
With less competition, Tatum or Brown could slide down to the frontcourt.
4. Lebron James is no longer the most popular
King James takes the title of the player with the most All-Star appearances. However, for this year, he is no longer the most popular player in the league.
The Greek Freak received the most votes with 5,427,874, while James is a close second with 5,098,872. The 2024 results ended his seven-year streak as the top vote-getter in the ASG.
5. Anthony Edwards should be in the starting five
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is making a leap this season, leading his team to the top of the Western Conference standings.
As the best player of the best team in the West, he deserves a starting spot.
His team has a better record than Luka Doncic's Mavs. That spot should be his.
Related article: NBA All-Star Voting Results - 2 Things Fans Got Right, 3 Things They Got Wrong
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