Earlier tonight, the rosters for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game were completed with the announcement of the reserves for the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. As expected, not everyone was a popular choice and left some people scratching their heads, wondering why one player was picked over another. We are no different. After looking up and down the roster, there were five individuals whose absence immediately stuck out in our minds. Here are the five players who were unnecessarily snubbed from the 2014 NBA All-Star Game.
Eastern Conference All-Stars
- Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
- Paul George, Indiana Pacers
- LeBron James, Miami Heat
- Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
- John Wall, Washington Wizards
- DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
- Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
- Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
- Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
- Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
- Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
Western Conference All-Stars
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
- Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
- Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
- James Harden, Houston Rockets
- DeMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
- Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
- Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
BOLD - denotes starter
Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
Could've Replaced: Dirk Nowitzki
In only his second season in the NBA, Anthony Davis has already established himself as a force on both sides of the ball. After averaging 13.5 points per game in his rookie year, Davis has stepped his game up offensively by leaps and bounds, posting a 20.4 PPG average so far this season. And then there are his 10.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game averages, which are also a vast improvements from last season. While some people can knock the fact that Davis missed considerable time after breaking his hand in December, it still shouldn't take away from what he's done in the 2013-14 campaign.
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings
Could've Replaced: Dwight Howard
While playing for the lowly Sacramento Kings (15-30), it can be easy to overlook the play of DeMarcus Cousins. But the 23-year-old is playing the best ball of his career. Just look at that stat line: 22.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.0 APG. Cousins may not have an All-Star big man like Dwight Howard beat in the rebounds per game category (12.5), but the guy is the focal point of the team's offense and oh yeah, did we mention that DeMarcus plays for the lowly Kings? Even with the addition of Rudy Gay and the standout season of Isaiah Thomas, Cousins is still the star on this team and should've been given the opportunity to represent the franchise in February.
Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors
Could've Replaced: Dwyane Wade
Ever since the Raptors sent Rudy Gay packing, the team has heavily relied upon DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Only guy made it to the All-Star Game as a reserve. Looking at Lowry's numbers so far this season, they probably don't blow you away (16.8 PPG, 7.6 ASG, 4.3 RPG), however, if you look at what the Raps point guard has done over the last couple of weeks, you may see him in a different light. Just take his last 10 games where he's averaged 20.3 points, 8.4 dimes and 5.0 boards. Those numbers are enough to warrant a spot, no? At this point, though, Lowry is probably getting used to being snubbed since this is the second straight season that people have felt as though he was overlooked.
Goran Dragic, PG, Phoenix Suns
Could've Replaced: Tony Parker
Let's be real, Tony Parker isn't having a great Tony Parker year and that's okay because the Spurs are still running shit in the Western Conference. But, for the love of the game, let's award people who are actually carrying their team with an All-Star Game appearance over making it a popularity contest. Parker is a well-known player around the league, which probably explains why the coaches chose him over someone like Goran Dragic. From a statistical standpoint, Dragic is scoring and dishing the ball more per game than TP and he's helping a team that many probably thought would be occupying the cellar of the conference around this time.
Lance Stephenson, SG, Indiana Pacers
Could've Replaced: Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson
Born Ready doesn't get the respect he deserves and that's a damn shame. On a nightly basis, Lance Stephenson is out there filling up the stat sheet and apparently, the coaches around the league aren't noticing it. Or, maybe they're too infatuated with the performances of his Pacers teammates and All-Stars, Paul George and Roy Hibbert. From points (14.2) to rebounds (7.1) to assists (5.3) to field goal percentage (49.9 percent) to three-point percentage (34.4 percent), Stephenson has posted career-high numbers all across the board. But hey, at only 23, dude looks like he has a bright future in the league, so maybe this will be one of the few times we talk about him being snubbed. Only time will tell.
