The first fan voting returns for the NBA 2021 All-Star Game were announced on Thursday with OKC Thunder cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander listed ninth among the West’s guards.
While the top picks make sense there are some surprises in the votes especially the sheer number of players who are on a team not currently playoff seeded.
Typically, All-Star voting recognizes a combination of factors. Included in the mix is the team’s record. For some fans, that’s not a priority, and this year especially, that seems to be playing out.
In the East, four backcourt players on teams not in the playoffs make the top 10 and two more are on the seventh and eighth-seeded teams which means they might not be seeded by Monday. Likewise, four East frontcourt players are also on non-playoff seeded teams.
Eastern Conference Backcourt:
- Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards (1,273,817)
- Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets (1,093,611)
- James Harden – Brooklyn Nets (1,014,763)
- Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics (590,195)
- Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls (486, 547)
- Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks (368,126)
- Collin Sexton – Cleveland Cavaliers (206,218)
- Derrick Rose – Detroit Pistons (183,899)
- Russell Westbrook Washington Wizards (137,641)
- Ben Simmons – Philadelphia 76ers (117,993)
Beal makes logical sense given he leads the league in scoring. Our friend Westbrook is there based on his popularity. It’s a little surprising Harden ranks so high – as there was good reason to believe he might take a hit for how he acted to force the trade.
If these rankings remain the same through the various return updates as well as when player and media voting is added the five East representatives would be Beal, Irving, Durant, Antetokounmpom, and Embiid.
Eastern Conference Frontcourt:
- Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets (2,302,705)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks (1,752,185)
- Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers (1,584,028)
- Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics (822,151)
- Jimmy Butler Miami Heat (327,929)
- Bam AdebayoB/R believes a 2021 All-Star nod is not in play for SGA Miami Heat (307,498)
- Domantas Sabonis Indiana Pacers (186,275)
- Julius Randle New York Knicks (175,325)
- Gordon Hayward Charlotte Hornets (159,767)
- Jerami Grant Detroit Pistons (134,487)
OKC Thunder, Gilgeous Alexander ninth in first returns of All-Star votes
The first return of fan votes often leads to players getting a shot in the arm from their fanbases. In the case of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. it would be virtually impossible for him to be a starter. And in fairness, the OKC Thunder are seeded 12th.
However, for those in Thunder Nation keen to have SGA make his first All-Star Game remember February 13th and 16th are ‘two for one’ days as TI noted in our previous All-Star article.
A big uptick in votes might help remind coaches of his growth and how much more focus is on him this season as the OKC Thunder virtually retooled the entire roster.
Western Conference Backcourt:
- Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors (2,113,178)
- Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks (1.395,719)
- Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers (998,853)
- Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies (257,743)
- Donovan Mitchell -Utah Jazz (236,850)
- Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns (173,755)
- Chris Paul – Phoenix Suns (128,127)
- CJ McCollum – Portland Trail Blazers (104,965)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OKC Thunder (99,286)
- Klay Thompson – Golden State Warriors (99,094)
Like the East, four backcourt players on the list play on teams not currently seeded and two frontcourt players.
The big head shake is how Klay Thompson is on the list given he’s out for the season. Jamal Murray deserves more respect here given how important he is to the Nuggets.
If these rankings remain the same through the vote return updates and after player and media votes are added in the five West representatives would be Curry, Doncic, James, Jokic, and Leonard.
Western Conference Frontcourt:
- LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers (2,288,676)
- Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets (1,477,975)
- Kawhi Leonard – LA Clippers (1,285,777)
- Anthony Davis – Los Angeles Lakers (1,192,881)
- Paul George – LA Clippers (549,280)
- Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans (411,668)
- Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors (264,781)
- Christian Wood – Houston Rockets (261,009)
- Brandon Ingram – New Orleans Pelicans (230,387)
- Carmelo Anthony – Portland Trail Blazers (179,310)
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
The All-Star voting was going to happen regardless and while the league and NBPA are still pushing for the event to occur in Atlanta it hasn’t been formalized yet.
As much as it’s always a great honor to make the team this may not be a terrible season to miss the cut.
That’s because the same health and safety protocols would be in place so stars couldn’t go to Lou Williams; favorite hot wing takeout place for example. 😉
While part of the allure is to be recognized by the fans, peers, media, and/or coaches it’s equally exciting for players to participate in the events, media sessions, and yes the parties.
Still, it’s hard to envision being named an All-Star and the reward is being locked up for three or four days in an Atlanta hotel room.
But, that’s what would be required because proceeding with the weekend would mean having players from multiple teams on site and if one player contracted COVID-19 and spread it to all the participants it could quite literally shut down the league.
Remember to vote daily for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and again, the ‘two for one’ days (votes count double) are February 13th and 16th.