5 players who were given the All-Star snub
It's a rite of winter. At least one deserving NBA player gets snubbed from the All-Star Game every year, and the 2016 festivities in Toronto are no exception. The most interesting note this year may be that this season's biggest snub was also one of the biggest snubs last season.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard plays on what was supposed to be a lottery-bound rebuilding team. The Portland Trail Blazers, however, are sitting in a playoff spot as of Thursday evening, and the point guard is the catalyst for his team's position. Lillard was passed over for last season's All-Star Game in New York, but was later named as an injury replacement when Blake Griffin went down.
There's been at least 1 injury replacement in last 10 NBA All-Star Games. You have to figure Lillard still has a shot to be in Toronto.
— Mike Tokito (@mtokito) January 29, 2016
Who he should replace: Kobe Bryant
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
In his final season, it's completely understandable that Kobe Bryant is being honored with an All-Star appearance. But his performance on the floor this year doesn't warrant the accolade. The same cannot be said for another future Hall of Famer born in the 1970s, Dirk Nowitzki.
The 37-year-old is once again the Dallas Mavericks' best player, another team that has surprised observers this season. In some statistical categories, Nowitzki is having a better year than he did in 2014-15, when he was an All-Star.
Who he should replace: James Harden
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Jordan tops the NBA in field-goal percentage, is second in both rebounds per game and rebound percentage, and ranks third in blocks. For all the silliness of last summer's free-agency fiasco after the Mavericks tried to pitch him on being a No. 1 option, the big man has never been an All-Star.
For a player that has shot almost 70 percent from the floor while averaging over 10 points and 14 rebounds a game for a contender the last three years, that sticks out.
Who he should replace: LaMarcus Aldridge
Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons
The snubs are less pronounced in the Eastern Conference, but a case can be made for the Detroit Pistons point guard. After some initial growing pains when he first arrived in Detroit last season, Jackson has blossomed into a star for a team that is currently sixth in the conference.
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
The one constant on a terribly banged-up Charlotte Hornets squad this season has been Kemba Walker. The point guard is having a career season in terms of scoring and shooting the ball, putting up games of 52 and 40 points this month alone.