Every player that would have to say ‘no’ for a Hornet to get an all-star nod
Nobody was surprised that no Hornets were chosen to play in the NBA All-Star Game when the reserves were revealed on Thursday night. When the teams play on February 18 in Indianapolis, Charlotte will not have a representative from the all-star game for the second consecutive season.
It was obvious that none of the Hornets would make the squad because LaMelo Ball was not playing in nearly enough games to qualify. This became much more evident once Terry Rozier, the most likely front-runner, was dealt in January.
Even though the 12-man Eastern Conference All-Star team has been decided upon, it appears that some players will be sidelined by injuries, necessitating the need for a replacement. Joel Embiid is probably going to miss the game as well, but Julius Randle will undoubtedly miss it.
Miles Bridges has the best chance of making it because Ball has missed too many games and Rozier was dealt. Bridges is enjoying a good season, averaging 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, but it is not really a case at all when he plays solid defense for a terrible club.
Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, has the authority to choose replacement players; there are no predetermined standards; he only has to choose the individuals he believes are most worthy. I can’t claim to know Silver’s thoughts, but below is my totally objective list of all the Eastern Conference players I would invite before I reached out to Bridges.
- Trae Young, Hawks
- Kristaps Porzingis, Celtics
- Scottie Barnes, Raptors
- Derrick White, Celtics
- Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers
- Coby White, Bulls
- Pascal Siakam, Pacers
- Jimmy Butler, Heat
- Mikal Bridges, Nets
- Franz Wagner, Magic
- DeMar DeRozan, Bulls
- Dejounte Murray, Hawks
- Cam Thomas, Nets
- Terry Rozier, Heat
In the event that 13 of the 14 players declined my invitation, I would offer Miles Bridges a berth on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, presuming there are two replacement seats available. There are 26 players in a conference of 15 teams who are performing better than the top-scoring Hornet this year.
LaMelo might rank higher on our list if he had played in more games, but as it stands, he will participate in fewer than 52 games for the third time in his four-year career. If he can maintain his health and Brandon Miller continues to develop, perhaps Hornets players will start appearing in the All-Star Game every year for many years to come. We’re worthy of it.
