In the midst of this unorthodox season, the 2021 NBA All-Star Game is fast approaching. While we won't be getting most of the added events like the Three-Point Contest or the Skills Challenge (and, to be honest, we could probably do without an all-star game this year), the main attraction is still going on, giving us a look at the best the NBA has to offer. However, not everyone gets selected to the big game, and there are always people who get snubbed. So, these are my 14 picks, 7 from the Eastern Conference and 7 from the Western Conference for the biggest all-star snubs of the season.
East: Jerami Grant
Starting off for the East we have one of the front runners for the Most Improved Player Award in Jerami Grant. The Detroit Pistons have been an absolute disaster this season, but their free-agent signing this past offseason in Grant has paid off huge, as he's gone from a supporting cast member to a legit first option in one season. For the season, Grant has averaged 23.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game shooting 44% from the field and 37% from three-point range. Considering his spot on the worst team in the conference, Grant was always a long shot for an all-star selection, but his exclusion is certainly a buzzkill given his meteoric rise.
West: Jamal Murray
Admittedly, the Western Conference's all-star snub pool is a bit thin. Christian Wood & CJ McCollum are injured and don't look like they'll be ready for all-star weekend, Karl-Anthony Towns has missed too much time to be in consideration, and Devin Booker is no longer a snub after being selected to replace Anthony Davis. However, I think I've got a fairly decent list here. Starting off for the West is Jamal Murray. The 7th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Murray has continued to develop and now finds himself as a legit second option for the Denver Nuggets. This season, Murray is averaging 21 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47% from the field and 39% from the three-point range.
East: Malcolm Brogdon
The Indiana Pacers won't have any representation in this year's all-star game, and Malcolm Brogdon won't be the only member of the roster. Brogdon has long been one of the NBA's most underrated players and, after coming to Indiana through a sign-and-trade in 2019, is having the best season of his career this year. For the season, Brogdon is averaging 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44% from the field, 39% from three-point range, and 91% from the free-throw line. However, he's not the biggest all-star snub on the Pacers roster, but we'll get to him later.
West: Ja Morant
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant's sophomore season hasn't been the smoothest. The Memphis Grizzlies have struggled this season (currently 13-14 on the year), while Morant had to miss eight games early in the year due to an ankle injury. That being said, Morant has continued to play well. For the season, Morant has averaged 19.1 points and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field. While Morant didn't make the cut this season, it is hard to imagine, if he continues to develop well, that he doesn't get selected to the all-star in the near future.
East: Pascal Siakam
Last year's Most Improved Player award winner, Pascal Siakam hasn't had the best season so far, as his points per game have dropped from his breakout season last year. As a result, Siakam wasn't selected to the all-star game after making his first last year. That's not to say he was completely out of the conversation, as Siakam is still having a great season. This season, Siakam is averaging 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field.
West: John Wall
After not playing basketball for nearly two years, you'd have been forgiven for completely writing off John Wall. However, Wall has had a great year post-injury and, while he's not in his prime anymore, he's still someone who could've been in the all-star conversation, despite the Houston Rockets struggles' following the James Harden trade. This season, Wall is averaging 20.1 points, 6.1 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 43% from the field and 36% from three-point range. An all-star selection after all Wall has been through the past few years would've been a great feel-good story, but alas, he didn't get the nod.
East: Bam Adebayo
Another first-time all-star from last season who won't be making his second appearance this year, Bam Adebayo is someone who missed the cut, likely due to some breakout performances from other Eastern Conference players. While the Miami Heat have had a disappointing season after their miracle Finals run last year, Adebayo has built off his all-star season last year and is having a great season despite the snub. For the season, Adebayo is averaging 19.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and a block per game while shooting 57% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Despite the snub this year, Adebayo will surely be a regular all-star in the future if he continues to develop.
West: DeMar DeRozan
Ever since his trade to the San Antonio Spurs, DeMar DeRozan hasn't been the most talked about player anymore. That being said, DeRozan has still been putting up some great numbers in San Antonio, and this season, while he's beginning to show signs of regression, he's still had a strong season as the Spurs are having a surprisingly good season. This season, DeRozan is averaging 19.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
East: Russell Westbrook
For the first time since 2014, the all-star game will not feature Russell Westbrook. The former MVP and 9-time all-star didn't make the cut, and considering how bad the Washington Wizards have been (up until recently) this season, you'd be forgiven for forgetting about Westbrook. That being said, Westbrook is still having one hell of a season, and one that should've put him in the conversation for a selection. This season, Westbrook is averaging a near triple-double with 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field.
West: De'Aaron Fox
As they are currently fighting to make the playoffs, the Sacramento Kings are in a bad place right now, as they're currently on an eight-game losing streak that has tanked their spot in the standings. It hasn't been all bad for the team, as De'Aaron Fox has continued to develop and could've been in consideration for the all-star game this year. For the season, Fox is averaging 22.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47% from the field and 35% from three-point range. While being left off the roster this season, I feel like it's only a matter of time before Fox earns his first all-star selection
East: Domantas Sabonis
One of last year's first-time all-stars, Domantas Sabonis has proven to be a surprising benefit of the Paul George trade for the Indiana Pacers. Since 2017, Sabonis has quickly become one of the league's best power forwards, something that was cemented with his first all-star selection last season. Despite putting up better numbers this year, Sabonis was left off the all-star rosters. For the season, Sabonis averaged 21.5 points, 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 53% from the field and 35% from three-point range. Don't be surprised if Sabonis makes up for this snub with his second all-star selection next year.
West: Brandon Ingram
Another player who made his first all-star appearance last season, Brandon Ingram, like Sabonis, has made the most of a change of scenery. After being sent to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis deal, Ingram has quickly proven that, while losing a superstar caliber player in Davis hurt, that's he's they made the right deal given their situation. Ingram broke out last year, earning the Most Improved Player award along with his all-star selection. Despite putting up similar numbers from last year, Ingram didn't make the cut for the all-star game this year. For the season, Ingram is averaging 24 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Still just 23, Ingram's bright future will almost certainly see him make multiple all-star games.
East: Trae Young
Of all the players on this list, Trae Young is the one who has the best case for actually being an all-star. Last year, Young became an all-star in just his second season at just 21 years old, Young looked like he was set to start a streak of all-star appearances. While his stat line this season hasn't been as good as last year and the Atlanta Hawks have disappointed, Young is still having a great season that definitely deserved an all-star selection. For the season, Young is averaging 27.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 38% from three-point range. I can't imagine it'll be long before we see Trae Young back on an all-star team.
West: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
And rounding off my list is yet another player who truly broke out following a trade-in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Drafted in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander would have a solid rookie season with the Clippers before being shipped to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Paul George trade in 2019. The rebuilding Thunder needed a young star with potential, and Gilgeous-Alexander has filled that void perfectly. After a breakout sophomore season, Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to build off of that and is quickly approaching becoming an all-star caliber player. This season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Like others on this list, it won't be a surprise if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets selected to the all-star game in the future.
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