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Deserve’s Got Nothing To Do With It

The game is the game.
By | 67 Comments | Jan 26, 2023

Jan 11, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) and forward Domantas Sabonis (10) walk off the court during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Domantas Sabonis deserved to be a starter in the 2023 All-Star Game. But as the man says, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.

The simple facts:

Domantas Sabonis: 18.4 PTS, 12.4 RBS, 7.3 AST
Zion Williamson: 26.0 PTS, 7.0 RBS, 4.6 AST

But perhaps the most vital stat:

Domantas Sabonis: 45 games
Zion Williamson: 29 games

Zion is a truly incredible talent. But he’s been plagued by injury issues and has missed 40% of his team’s games this season. He may not even be available to play in the All-Star game. Based on current rules (following the next highest voted player), Anthony Davis would be next in line. Davis, when healthy, has been great this season, but has also only played in 26 games. Next up would be Lauri Markkanen, who absolutely deserves an all-star nod this season.

The problem? It should have been Nikola Jokic, Lauri, and Sabonis. But LeBron James was never going to be a reserve based on the current All-Star selection criteria.

You see, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.

Now, Sabonis is almost certainly a lock for the All-Star reserves. And salary incentives and Hall of Fame considerations don’t really differentiate between starters and reserves. Sabonis will be an All-Star this season, even if he’s not in his rightful spot as a starter.

Of note, Tyrese Haliburton also deserved a starting nod in the East that he did not get. He’ll be a shoe-in as a reserve, even if his recent injury prevents him from playing.

But the real question mark at this point will be De’Aaron Fox.

Let’s be very clear:

De’Aaron Fox deserves to be an All-Star

But again. Deserve’s got nothing to do with it.

Fox will have a challenging path to his first All-Star berth. Fox played through injuries and illness in late November and early December, and those games hurt his averages. Perhaps he should have simply sat out to preserve his stats, as so many other have done. But no, Fox played as long as he could before finally resting for all of two (2) games.

Since then, dating back to December 13th, Fox is averaging 24.9 points, 6.6 assist, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He’s an assassin in the fourth quarter, and a guaranteed finalist for Clutch Player Of The Year.

All Star Reserves will be announced on February 2nd, one week from now. I’m already preparing myself for Fox’s snub, and presuming that the NBA will right this wrong by naming Fox as an injury replacement.

At the end of the day, how you make the squad isn’t important. DeMarcus Cousins’ first All-Star appearance was as an injury replacement. One of Sabonis’ two All-Star appearances was as an injury replacement. Once you’re there, you’re always a player who made the All-Star game, and that (absurdly) plays a huge factor in making future All-Star games.

Domantas Sabonis deserves an All-Star bid, as does De’Aaron Fox. We’ll have to wait and see if they receive their proper recognition.

Because as the man says, and as today’s results confirm, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.

 

 

 

 

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Roaddog
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January 26, 2023 11:52 pm

-Baltimore Proverb

andy_sims
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January 27, 2023 1:14 pm
Reply to  Roaddog

“Ya hair looks good, girl.”

Nica4two
January 27, 2023 11:50 pm
Reply to  Roaddog

“Come at the king(s), bess not miss.”

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 27, 2023 12:46 am

Here’s to hoping both Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox get their just deserves 🤞

Two Kings in the ASG would be a great reprise of Sacramento’s glory years:

2000 Chris Webber, Vlade Divac
2002 Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic
2003 Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic
2004 Peja Stojakovic, Brad Miller

Only Chris Webber in 2001, and no ASG in the strike shortened 1999 season, in case you’re wondering.
Bonus trivia: 1998 Mitch Richmond

Last edited 1 year ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
Kosta
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January 27, 2023 8:46 am

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ArcoThunder
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January 27, 2023 2:53 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Mitch Richmond 🥰

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 4:13 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

I remember Jerry Reynolds campaigning for Richmond before he got his first All-star appearance.

I think he had a sign that read:

“NO MITCH, I BITCH.”

ArcoThunder
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January 28, 2023 11:41 am
Reply to  Kosta

Do I really need another reason to love Jerry Reynolds? Can’t hurt.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 27, 2023 7:26 am

Pretty lame system when a team that is currently 13th in the West may have two starters for the all-star game. Meanwhile, the team sitting at 3rd in the West MAY only get one all-star thanks to the coaches. There are a lot of casual fans in the NBA. Oh well.

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 8:51 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Lots of casuals that voted for those L.A. Lamekers.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 8:31 am

Disagree. Fox is not deserving of all star spot.

Plenty of players just as good if not better.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 27, 2023 9:20 am

I’d have SGA, Luka, Curry, and Ja ahead of him, but that is it.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 10:54 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Lillard? Paul? etc……

RobHessing
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January 27, 2023 11:47 am

29 games for Paul this season. 58% of Phx’s games. You need to play in 70% of your team’s games to qualify for stat leaders. That seems like a fair plateau for all-star consideration as well.

Fox is certainly deserving of all-star consideration, as are players like Desmond Bane and Devin Booker (though Booker is also at only 58% games played). The roster limit says that a few of these guys will not make the team, but it is certainly not because they are undeserving.

I’m not a Fox fanboy by any stretch of the imagination, but his clutch numbers this year are borderline preposterous. They are elite. On its own, that merits consideration.

RobHessing
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January 27, 2023 12:02 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

And 1 –

Luka, Curry (at 69% games played right now, so contingent on him playing between now and the game), Lillard, Morant and SGA are my first five. The 6th spot comes down to Fox and Anthony Edwards, with CJ McCollum just behind them.

All deserving.

RobHessing
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January 27, 2023 12:04 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

And 1 more – If the league wants to add legacy spots for guys like CP3, fine. But it should not be at the expense of players that are having better seasons.

Kingsguru21
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January 27, 2023 12:13 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Two things about All-Star. One, there should be a minimum games played. If you’re going to use the benchmark of qualifying for a league leader as an individual, that’s perfectly fine.

Two, they should expand the rosters to 15 from 12. Especially since no-one really cares about who is and isn’t an injury replacement.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 6:42 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

And 1…..Fox is a good player that overall helps this team.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 6:24 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

70% of games played seems fair but it is not a standard in reality. If it was a standard based on Fox’s career he will rarely qualify. Reality is an All Star starter doesn’t have to play any games.

Deserving of All Star consideration…..yes. Deserving of an All Star roster spot….no.

Preposterous clutch numbers offset by preposterous defensive failures.

Fox has his role on this team. Fox in the whole of the NBA is a streaky individual contributor who refuses to play defense.

Last edited 1 year ago by AnybodyButBagley
Adamsite
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January 27, 2023 2:54 pm

Nope. A lot of it has to do with team performance as well. Helping lead your team to 3rd place in the West and already exceeding all expectations deserves some credit

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 6:31 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Previous exposure playing in nationally televised playoff or championship games kind of matters as well.

Yakshi
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January 27, 2023 7:11 pm

Fox is an All Star.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 9:37 pm
Reply to  Yakshi

Not according to the All Star roster.

rockbottom
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January 27, 2023 8:33 am

It is sad to me that so many fans that vote have so little knowledge of the current deserving players .

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 8:55 am
Reply to  rockbottom

Maybe it has something to do with promotion? The Kings have only played 1 nationally televised game. Not sure about OKC (for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), but I’m guessing they’re in a similar situation.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 9:39 pm
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All about promotion. Being banned from national television for a decade and zero post season exposure has everything to do with it.

satdawg
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January 27, 2023 11:17 pm
Reply to  rockbottom

The all star game is a popularity contest, and no disrespect to Sabonis but it would be much more exciting to see Zion starting than Sabonis.

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 8:43 am

What’s “deserve” got to do, got to do with it?

Who needs a thumb, when a thumb can be broken.

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Kingsguru21
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January 27, 2023 8:47 am

Domantas Sabonis deserved to be a starter in the 2023 All-Star Game. But as the man says, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.

Yep.

The problem? It should have been Nikola Jokic, Lauri, and Sabonis. But LeBron James was never going to be a reserve based on the current All-Star selection criteria.

Yep, Also one could argue LeBron is 4th on that list just based off on court production anyway. And, also, the Lakers record at this point is nearly identical to the Jazz. IF we’re being honest about this.

That said, I could give 2 shits less about LeBron in SLC. There’s only 3 guys I really have much interest in the ASG is De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, and I want to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander because I love watching that guy play. If I were adding any other players of interest, I’d add Lauri Markannen to that list. Guys who never been there or are Kings. Otherwise, I don’t bother with the game. It’s boring.

Now, Sabonis is almost certainly a lock for the All-Star reserves. And salary incentives and Hall of Fame considerations don’t really differentiate between starters and reserves. 

Actually, based on this, being named as a starter is no longer one of the criteria a player needs to qualify for the 5th year 30% criteria on the rookie max. But it doesn’t matter since Sabonis isn’t actually eligible for the supermax as of now anyway. (Unless the criteria for eligibility changes in the new CBA.)

Put another way, I only added this addendum for those interested in reading more about it. I agree otherwise. (I do not agree with you willingly or often, Greg.)

Of note, Tyrese Haliburton also deserved a starting nod in the East that he did not get. He’ll be a shoe-in as a reserve, even if his recent injury prevents him from playing.

This is a more dubious statement, but I don’t have issue with it. Especially because Kyrie Irving’s a starter and you point out that Irving has missed more games than Haliburton has to this point.

i personally think the game is both entertainment and a benchmark for achievement from a production standpoint. That will never be a simple or straight forward calculation.

Fox will have a challenging path to his first All-Star berth. Fox played through injuries and illness in late November and early December, and those games hurt his averages. Perhaps he should have simply sat out to preserve his stats, as so many other have done. But no, Fox played as long as he could before finally resting for all of two (2) games.

Fox won’t make in the 1st round. What’s ridiculous is this:

At the end of the day, how you make the squad isn’t important. DeMarcus Cousins’ first All-Star appearance was as an injury replacement. One of Sabonis’ two All-Star appearances was as an injury replacement. Once you’re there, you’re always a player who made the All-Star game, and that (absurdly) plays a huge factor in making future All-Star games.

Yep. Booker, Lillard and Curry are all there because of previous performance AND because they have been very productive when they’ve played. But I feel that playing is not an achievement for being an All-Star and that’s just simply bullshit. Which is precisely why I don’t take being an All-Star that seriously.

SGA: 44 games played (4 games missed)
Haliburton: 40 games played (10 games missed)
Booker: 29 games played (21 games missed)
Lillard: 36 games played (12 games missed)
Curry: 33 games played (15 games missed)
Irving: 37 games played (11 games missed)
Fox: 44 games played (3 games missed)

Domantas Sabonis deserves an All-Star bid, as does De’Aaron Fox. We’ll have to wait and see if they receive their proper recognition.

Because as the man says, and as today’s results confirm, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.

Yep Nail meet head. Shai belongs. De’Aaron belongs there, too, IMO. Are all of Tyrese, Book, Kyrie, Dame, Steph belonging in the game? Yep, they’re all dynamic players healthy. But…..healthy or available is the key word.

I haven’t spent this much time thinking about the ASG because…..it bores me. This is why. It’s a silly popularity contest with no ostensible rhyme or reason as to why you get there other than you’re a star player. Every year there are a few legit snubs, and most of the time they end up in the game as injury replacements. Nobody cares in the end, as you’ve pointed out.

Whatever. I might watch the game, I mgiht not. But if I miss it I won’t mind.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kingsguru21
Jack
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January 27, 2023 11:58 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I agree. To me its just a bunch of players running up and down the court. I could care less who wins. No defense what so ever. If Huerter is in the 3 point contest I will probably watch that otherwise my lawn needs mowing.

andy_sims
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January 27, 2023 1:18 pm
Reply to  Jack

You’re basically describing most Kings games.

Jack
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January 28, 2023 7:31 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Only reply on what I said and your reply is I do care who wins.

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 8:59 am

Can we get Keegan and Kevin in the 3-point contest at least?

Maybe Delladova in the dunk contest?

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 9:07 am

From the Unforgiven clip Greg shared above:

“I’ll see you in Basketball Hell.”

“Sacramento?”

“No. The NBA All-star game.”

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Marty
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January 27, 2023 9:21 am

NBA fans: “Indiana Pacer Domantas Sabonis is an All-Star.”

Sabonis: “I’m going to Sacramento.”

NBA fans: “Hold my beer.”

BeTheBall
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January 27, 2023 12:48 pm
Reply to  Marty

Bingo.

RikSmits
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January 27, 2023 10:23 am

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eddie41
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January 27, 2023 10:43 am

For Fox, I think the all star game is irrelevant. I don’t think he’s a star until the team has completed a successful season. then he’ll be a star.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 9:42 pm
Reply to  eddie41

He is good but the unfortunate reality is that he has four or five years of KANgz shit to wash off before he gets the nod.

krswin
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January 27, 2023 11:12 am

Personally I don’t care for the ASG. I understand for players it’s an honor and could help their next contract, so that’s great and all. And for us fans we want to see our favorites get that honor. But I haven’t watched in years. A bunch of grown men out there showing off and doing tricks? I will see the Harlem Globetrotters to get that type of basketball. The other aspects, like the 3 point contest, sure I’ll see the highlights, that’s interesting and not disguised as a basketball game.

Marty
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January 27, 2023 11:19 am
Reply to  krswin

Yea it’s a non-factor for me, no feelings about it good or bad, dead inside. It’s just a break for me as a fan.

Kingsguru21
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January 27, 2023 11:21 am
Reply to  Marty

Yea it’s a non-factor for me, no feelings about it good or bad, dead inside. It’s just a break for me as a fan.

Only SGA, Fox and Sabonis peak my interest. Maybe Markannen too because he’s a great story as well. That’s it.

That shows you how I feel about the ASG and the surrounding bullshit of it.

Klam
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January 27, 2023 11:20 am
Reply to  krswin

I’d only really care about watching All-Star weekend if Sacramento got to host (and that’s probably not happening).

RobHessing
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January 27, 2023 11:49 am
Reply to  Klam

Who’s staying at the Beverly Garland Inn?!? (Only old timers will get this NCAA Men’s Tourney reference)

BeTheBall
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January 27, 2023 12:49 pm
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Any relation to Darius?

andy_sims
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January 27, 2023 1:33 pm
Reply to  krswin

A bunch of grown men out there showing off and doing tricks?

Not exactly, grandpa. A bunch of elite-of-the-elite, skilled, physical freaks out there showing off and doing tricks. There’s a difference.

The game is stupid, as are all so-designated exhibitions. It’s a showcase, the result doesn’t matter, and you get to see things that you won’t in a typical NBA game.

Neither Irving nor Williamson should be starters this year. Davis should certainly not be Zion’s injury replacement if the latter is unable to play. Fans are stupid, and it’s unfortunate that their ignorance carries so much weight in the selection process. Just let the coaches make the decisions, it’s not as if we won’t end up with most of the same guys, and maybe we’d be spared having great players being named when they haven’t played enough games.

Lebron will be selected by fans in any season while he’s still playing, but it’s indisputable that he deserves it this year. There’s no precedent for this kind of sustained excellence so deep into a career. And don’t talk to me about Tom Brady, who plays 16-17 games in the course of a year, and takes less contact than a typical NBA player.

krswin
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January 27, 2023 3:29 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

So they’re not grown men?

andy_sims
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January 27, 2023 4:29 pm
Reply to  krswin

Great focus, you really nailed it.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 9:48 pm
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I personally thought the grandpa comment was witty and so damn original.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 9:46 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

“Fans are stupid”

That was just said in a Kings forum……

ArcoThunder
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January 27, 2023 3:03 pm

Ps. I don’t give a shit.

Kosta
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January 27, 2023 3:45 pm

Which is worse now:

+ NBA fan-voting for the All-stars

+ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selection

andy_sims
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January 27, 2023 4:30 pm
Reply to  Kosta

+ The process of counting Electoral votes

Inthestarz
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January 27, 2023 7:20 pm

Domas deserves to be an all star, will be an all star, and has top ten impact in the league.

Fox, albeit one of the most clutch players in the game, is a lot of sizzle but less steak in terms of impact, and won’t be an all star. Replace him with 15 other pgs, and the Kings wouldnt miss much of a beat IMO

Last edited 1 year ago by Inthestarz
AnybodyButBagley
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January 27, 2023 9:49 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

Fact.

Daydreamer
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January 28, 2023 6:13 am

Opinion

WizsSox
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January 27, 2023 11:34 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

Fox, albeit one of the most clutch players in the game, is a lot of sizzle but less steak in terms of impact

It’s hard to think of 2 more contradictory ideas in one sentence.

I guess if you think he is a league average point guard this season, there’s not much to talk about.

AnybodyButBagley
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January 28, 2023 7:44 am
Reply to  WizsSox

It means he has moments of greatness and awe that are always mixed with moments of average at best.

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January 28, 2023 8:43 am
Reply to  Inthestarz

Having trouble reconciling “one of the most clutch players in the game” with “but less steak in terms of impact.” /Shrugs

The bias surrounding Fox cuts both ways. While there are certainly Kings fans that can overstate his ranking among the league’s best, there are others whose past hot takes have put them in a position where they refuse to acknowledge the improvement in his game, especially in terms of a much more prolonged period of upper level play. Last year he was a 12-15 ranked PG. He has stepped it up a notch this year.

He ain’t perfect, but most players – even all-star level players – aren’t. Fox has played at an all-star level this year. Whether or not he winds up on the WC roster is up to a process that is beyond his control. Make it or miss it, he is the same player, a player deserving of all-star consideration. I don’t think that there are 15 PGs that fit that description.

ArcoThunder
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January 28, 2023 11:51 am
Reply to  RobHessing

yup. The hot take folks are absolutely ridiculous. Sad thing is they don’t know it.

side note, you ever notice how 98% of all “hot takes” are made up of negative criticism?

I’ve always found that interesting. Many humans just suck.

Kingsguru21
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January 28, 2023 1:22 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

He ain’t perfect, but most players – even all-star level players – aren’t. Fox has played at an all-star level this year. Whether or not he winds up on the WC roster is up to a process that is beyond his control. Make it or miss it, he is the same player, a player deserving of all-star consideration. I don’t think that there are 15 PGs that fit that description.

This here is the money shot. I’d also add that for as much credit as Domantas Sabonis gets for the Kings being at 27 wins RN, De’Aaron Fox doesn’t get nearly as much credit as he should for the impact he has on this roster winning games.

Ellis5
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January 28, 2023 1:03 am

So If I understand this right the reserve picks are the real Allstars… the starters are the fans picks… we love the fans.. long live the fans…… Hopefully none of the names allocated to the list mentioned has missed more than 12 games…. Got it.

bjax1
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January 28, 2023 5:25 am

Came here to say I’m pulling for DeAaron but there are a lot of “deserving” guards this year. I won’t repeat who – just read the comments. That said, he’s been playing like an all-star for this team. Hopefully he can take down one of the “deserving” in Anthony Edwards tonight. Go Kings!

BabalooMagoo
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January 28, 2023 6:49 am

The All-Star game isn’t about basketball. It’s a popularity contest.

Jack
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January 28, 2023 7:38 am
Reply to  BabalooMagoo

Just heard a comment by Baby Giraffe that I thought might be a great asset to next years Kings. Basically what he said because of how the Kings are playing and if it continues along with an evolving new cultures players who are free agents or want to be traded will now consider Sacramento as a place to land. Big improvement.

SelecaoKOJ
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January 28, 2023 11:54 am

Sabonis should definitely get in. Fox. Not so sure. He started out the year great. Had a lull for about a month or so. They both won’t get in. I have Lillard, Jah, SGA, Curry all ahead of him. Because you’re having the top 2 teams in the west with just one player? Grizz and Denver without a doubt much better teams. They have one representative. Denver and the Grizz(if 100 healthy) are the clear front runners at the moment.

So it makes total sense to me. I also disagree about Lebron. He’s more than deserving Look at his numbers. They are ridiculous. He’s literally carrying that team.
It’s fashionable to be a Laker hater. But, what he’s doing at 36 is flat out historic. The team has been without 60 percent of their starters a good part of the season. They are still hovering around .500.

NowLoveThemOnceAgain
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January 28, 2023 3:43 pm

Democracy: one person, one vote. NBA: vote every day, as often as you like.

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