Domantas Sabonis was not named a starter to represent the western conference in the 2023 NBA All Star game. The combination of fans, media, and NBA player votes selected LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Zion Williamson as the front court starters, while Steph Curry and Luka Doncic were selected as the backcourt starters.
Many media members across the NBA landscape said over the past few days that they would vote for Sabonis as a starter, including the TNT NBA Tip-Off crew who were live when the votes were announced. But fan voting counts for 50% of the starters balloting (media ballots count for 25%, and player ballots count for 25%), and James, Jokic, and Williamson all had significant leads over Sabonis in fan votes as of last week. While it’s disappointing to see Williamson get the nod over Sabonis (especially considering he’s only played in 29 games this season and is currently out for the Pelicans with a hamstring injury), the fact is that as long as fan votes are counted (and counted more than media or player ballots), All Star starters are selected by a popularity contest.
It seems highly unlikely that Sabonis – averaging 18.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 60.6% shooting as the heart and soul of the 3rd seeded Kings – won’t make the final All Star roster. Seven reserve players from each Conference are selected by NBA Coaches, and will be announced on February 2. De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 50.8% shooting, also has a strong case for an All Star reserve spot.
The Eastern Conference All Star starters are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Donovan Mitchell. Indeed, Sabonis isn’t truly the biggest starter snub here, considering Joel Embiid couldn’t be named a starter due to the ridiculous positioning requirements the league sets in place.
Hope he gets selected as a backup but sits out the game itself. He and his broken finger need some rest.
The all star game is rest. Those guys give 1/4 effort
This is why I have never taken the All Star nonsense seriously. Should Domas be a starter? Yeah. Will he ever be one? Nope.
It would have been more surprising that he was an All-Star starter than him not being on the first 5. He will (should) be an All-Star reserve, otherwise the system is not worth a darn.
Fox is borderline – of the remaining 6 spots: Ja Morant has to be included, then there’s Dame’s 60 points last night, and a deserving Devin Booker and the strong up and comer in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and the long standing Klay Thompson from the Champion GSW. And what about CJ McCollum, another consideration. You also have Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Lauri Markannen. The way I expect the League to handle it, they give the Sacramento spot to Domas and say sorry and call Fox a snub. Injuries might have him sneak in but I doubt it. Whom do you think will be the frontcourt snub of that group?
Please understand, I am not saying that he is undeserving – because I truly believe he has earned his place – but if you have to pick one spot on the Western All-Star squad from the outer reaches of what they call Sacramento, it’s Sabonis first, even De’Aaron would admit that. Next year – with the Kings again in the upper standings might be enough to give him his first All-Star nod.
As always – just my opinion.
I don’t think Fox will ever see himself as an all-star, unless he can get up to the 30pt range. Sabonis likely has his hopes hanging on being a perennial injury replacement, unless he can up his points and assists.
It sucks to watch, as a fans who would like to see “our guys” rewarded or even acknowledged for great play. However, it appears to be the Sacramento tax.
Fox is not even close to sniffing the All Star game. That is the reality.
Plenty of players better than him and plenty of players that are marketed better.
I wouldn’t classify Domas not being a starter as a snub. Fans can vote for whoever they want and account for 50 percent of the vote and it’s not as if Joker, LeBron and Zion are not deserving of being starters.
Ultimately, it’s a meaningless game.
The NBA and it’s marketing machine host a popularity contest for business reasons. Popularity supersedes talent and accomplishments.
This was predictable and determined before the season even started.
While I’m a bit disappointed, I can’t say I’m surprised at seeing another ASG pass by without Kings representation. Hopefully Huerter and/or Keegan can make the 3pt shootout.
The reserves have been named and Sabonis was left off? I must have missed that memo…..
i expect Fox to be left off, incorrectly, but I think there’s a good shot he games named as an injury replacement.
While they haven’t been named, I fully expect Sabonis to be left off. He’s neither a big name, or much discussed outside of Kings circles and Kings-adjacent circles. As for Fox, I don’t see a case where he even gets in as injury. unless they’re an abnormal rash of them that pushes it down to 12+ deep on the guard list. His numbers this season aren’t much different from past years were he wasn’t even on the all-star radar.
Aren’t much different, indeed, other than that his team is ten seeds higher in the standings.
The NBA on TNT guys (Shaq, Chuck, Kenny) all named him as a clearcut All-Star. All 3 had De’Aaron Fox on their list.
So no, I don’t think this is right BTB. Nekius Duncan (Dunker Spot Pod) has mentioned that Sabonis should be considered a starter, too. He’s based in Charlotte, in case you don’t know.
And that’s just 2 of the national blogger/media types I’ve personally seen. There are others. Nate Duncan, too, listed Sabonis as a reserve (although Danny Leroux and Dan Feldman did not).
I guess my point is, I’m not seeing this being a Kings centric thought. I think there would be widespread shock at Sabonis not making the team. It’s Fox I’ve always expected to make it as an injury replacement, not Sabonis.
Being the 3rd team in the West carries weight in these deals, for better or worse.
All that matters to me is that he’s in OUR starting lineup.
OT: Sigh…the price on Plumlee just went up. Monte….if you are reading this, Mason is still my preferred trade target!
https://twitter.com/UsherNBA/status/1618812529442185217
The price on Plumlee has not changed one bit, Adam. Cmon now!
https://twitter.com/James_HamNBA/status/1618841997292507137
Badge Legend