The Five Biggest NBA All-Star Snubs
Bryan Altman, CBS Local Sports
The sports world at every level has always been an exclusionary and fickle one. Someone always has to be cut from the final roster in training camp, someone always has to be picked last in kickball and not everyone gets to play with the best of the best in the All-Star game. It's not always fair, but such is life. Now that the NBA's All-Star game is right around the corner and all of the last minute drop outs and replacements have been named, we can truly assess who were the biggest snubs of All-Star weekend.
1. DeAndre Jordan
The fact that DeAndre Jordan didn't make it to the big show in New York is slightly mind-boggling. It also looks like Jordan decided to send a strong message to the power that be by putting up two straight 20-20 double-doubles just before the All-Star game.
2. Zach Randolph
Z-Bo is the motor that makes the Memphis Grizzlies run and has been a dominant force this season on the glass and offensively. If DeAndre Jordan is the critics choice for "biggest snub 2015" Randolph has to be a close second. Randolph is averaging almost seven more points per game than Jordan and less than two fewer rebounds as well. Even New Orleans Pelicans players are lobbying for the guy.
3. Rudy Gay
Gay has been a force for the Kings this year and even though he's been shipped from city to city like a lost Fed-Ex package he is still an All-Star caliber player. Gay is averaging just under 20 points per game, which puts him in the top 15 in the NBA in scoring average. He's also averaging just under six rebounds per game as well. Maybe he could have joined the Slam-Dunk competition.
4. Monta Ellis
The overarching issue for Monta Ellis isn't his play of the effect that he's had on the Dallas Mavericks this season - it's the other guys playing the two guard spot in the Western Conference. James Harden and Klay Thompson have a decided edge over Ellis in the west. But still, Ellis' stats are impressive as he's averaging nearly 20 points per game and he has become an integral part of the Mavericks backcourt alongside Rajon Rondo. Still, these Mavs fans put his All-Star snub this year into perspective and it really might be a while before Ellis gets recognized.
5. Mike Conley
Mike Conley seems to always be the bridesmaid and never the bride. He's always on the list of top point guards in the NBA but can't seem to find his way into the All-Star game. This year's snub might be the biggest yet for Conley who is having one of the best seasons of his career statistically who's averaging almost 17 points per game to go with a career-high field goal percentage of .455 percent. Maybe Conley has to start thinking outside the box if he wants to make the All-Star team next year.
