YESTERDAY the NBA announced their reserves for this years All-Star game, and overall I think they nailed it. The guys that were picked deserved to be in the game, but every year there are always some tough omissions.

Trailblazers backcourt

AT this point in the season it’s tough to split the Portland duo Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Lillard is more of a star and has slightly better stats, but McCollum has been balling this year too. Both were deserving of consideration, although they fall victim to the star studded point guard crop in the West.

Joel Embiid

ARGUABLY the biggest ‘snub’ from the roster is rookie sensation Joel Embiid. Forget what he is doing on the court for a minute, in his rookie season Embiid has brought something back to Philadelphia that has been missing for years. Hope. He has become one of the most popular players in the league backing up his laid back, comedic personality with some of the best numbers we have ever seen from a rookie. Embiid will probably play in many All-Star games throughout his career, but it;s still a shame that he wasn’t selected this year.

Image from 6abc.com

Mike Conley

MISSING a few games through injury probably doomed Conley’s chances of being selected. The Grizzlies point guard, who averages a career high 18.6 PPG has missed a dozen games to date, and much like the Portland duo stood little chance of getting picked. It’s tough to out duel Westbrook, Curry, Harden, Hayward and Thompson for a roster spot.

All time greats

CHRIS Paul’s absence is obvious with the Clippers point guard injured with a torn ligament in his thumb, but no Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony as well?! In fairness the players selected for the East are probably more deserving of Melo and Wade, but it still comes as a bit of a shock. This is the first time that we will be without one of these two in the All-Star game since 2003-04, their rookie seasons. Should the league look into allowing a potential ‘legend’ spot on the rosters?

Rudy Gobert

THE Utah Jazz are being represented by Gordon Hayward, however they should have two All-Stars. Rudy Gobert is having a career year on the boards and offensively, and was overlooked in favour of DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers. Their stats are fairly similar, with Jordan leading the league in rebounds and Gobert a more capable offensive option. It’s tough to split the two on team record to (Gobert’s Jazz are 30-18, Jordan’s Clippers are 30-17) so it virtually comes down to a coin flip. I think Gobert is more deserving.

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