Western Conference All-Star Snubs
Rudy Gobert has made Utah relevant again but isn't getting enough respect.
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Rudy Gobert
2016-17 Season: 12.8ppg, 12.6rpg, 0.9apg, 0.7spg, 2.6bpg, 1.8tov, 66.1 fg%
Rudy Gobert’s monster season has the Jazz poised to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Not only is Gobert averaging a double double but he also leads the league in blocks. He is also garnering a lot of attention for defensive player of the year which makes him a true All-Star snub. He could have replaced DeAndre Jordan, Gordon Hayward or Draymond Green and would have been more deserving.
Jokic is quietly becoming a superstar for the Nuggets.
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Nikola Jokic
2016-17 Season: 15.5ppg, 8.5rpg, 4.0apg, 0.7spg, 0.8bpg, 1.9tov, 59.3 fg%, 32.3 3fg%
Jokic has really blossomed in his second year in the NBA and even has the Nuggets in the hunt for a playoff spot. Jokic isn’t really a snub but what he has accomplished this season with the stats he is putting up is worthy of the consideration. Jokic could have replaced Klay Thompson or Gordon Hayward in the lineup.
Lillard is having a stellar season but the Blazers are not.
Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard
2016-17 Season: 26.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.8apg, 0.7spg, 0.3bpg, 2.7tov, 44.4 fg%, 34.5 3fg%
There is no excuse for Damian Lillard not being named to the West All-Star squad. The Blazers have been disappointing this season but it isn’t due to Lillard’s play. Unfortunately for him it seems the coaches took Portland’s struggles to mind when choosing reserves. He easily could have been the replacement for Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, or Draymond Green.
Few were more deserving than an All-Star nod than McCollum this year.
Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
C.J. McCollum
2016-17 Season: 23.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, 0.7bpg, 2.3tov, 48.2 fg%, 41.5 3fg%
C.J. McCollum should absolutely be on the West All-Star squad this season. McCollum is putting up career numbers that can be compared to any other star guard’s stats, save for Harden and Westbrook. McCollum, like Lillard, was likely passed over for the likes of Klay Thompson and Gordon Hayward due to Portland’s record.
Towns is one of the best players in the NBA, and easily one of the 12 best in the West.
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Karl-Anthony Towns
2016-17 Season: 23ppg, 11.9rpg, 3.0apg, 0.7spg, 1.5bpg, 2.8tov, 50.7 fg%, 33.5 3fg%
Karl-Anthony Towns not being named an All-Star this year may be one of the biggest snubs in recent memory. Towns is one of the most dominant players in the NBA right now and his stats prove that. The Timberwolves have been very underwhelming but that hasn’t stopped Towns from beating up the rest of the league. Towns deserved it over Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and Draymond Green, but like so many other snubs, suffered for playing on a bad team.
