At the time of writing this, the NBA just announced their All-Star reserves for each conference. Some players on that list were deserving of an All-Star selection without a doubt, but just like every year, there were some players who deserved the nod, but were left off the list. I’m not sure exactly how to fix this issue, in general, unless they expand the list to 15 players per conference, but even then I think that there will always be players that don’t quite make the cut. With that in mind, I want to talk about who I think are the biggest snubs from the Western Conference.
Ja Morant
I am fully aware that Ja’s time will come for him to be an All-Star, but this year seemed like the year, right? He’s averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 assists per game, and sure, his shooting numbers haven’t been great, but he is the sole reason that the Grizzlies have won as many games as they have due to Jaren Jackson Jr. being out with injury. The Highlight Factory himself has had a good season, after winning the Rookie of the Year last year, and it just seemed like being an All-Star was in the cards for him and Memphis this year. Knowing Ja, this will just add to the chip on his shoulder, and now he’ll be out for blood.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After the departure of Chris Paul this past off-season, many expected for SGA to take the next step toward being an elite guard, and I think that this season is proving that he is well on his way. On the year, he’s averaging 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, on 50/40/78 shooting splits. The Thunder haven’t been great, going just 12-19 this season, but if the voters cared about that, Trae Young wouldn’t have been an All-Star last year. In watching SGA play, you can see an advanced maturity in him that most other players don’t have. The Thunder have a fun, young core, and SGA is just the guy to lead them for the foreseeable future. SGA’s time will come, it just wasn’t this year.
De’Aaron Fox
Hello, again. Here I am showing my University of Kentucky fondness. Something about being a point guard for Kentucky just sits right with me. Fox is no different. After getting paid this past off season, a lot of people expected him to play at an All-Star level, and in my eyes, he has done just that. Much like SGA, I think the Kings record is what’s holding Fox from getting the selection, because it isn’t his stats, that’s for sure. On the year, Fox is averaging 22.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, on decent shooting splits. Another highlight reel, his ability to get up and down the floor in a hurry sure would be fun to see this year in the All-Star game, but just like all the players I’ve mentioned over the past two days, I know Fox’s time is coming.
Round The Game 
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