If Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James have been acclaimed by the fans, to the point of being named captains of each conference, this differs somewhat among the media and the players because, even if the “Greek Freak” remains the most popular in the In the East, it is Nikola Jokic who has the highest popularity rating in the West.
Precisely, let's look at the choices of active players, solicited each year by the NBA in order to designate their ten starters for the All-Star Game. They represent 25% of the final result and they can select anyone, which inevitably gives rise to quite surprising votes, since affinities guide certain choices.
Appreciated role players
So, taking a look at the full detail and anonymous of the various ballots, we see that the main stars of the league are on the whole respected by their peers, but that other more or less well-known names, and not called upon to participate in such a party, take the opportunity to accumulate a few voice.
This is for example the case of Georges Niang (Cavaliers), who collected no less than… 15 votes, more than OG Anunoby, Nikola Vucevic or Franz Wagner in his position. In the West, it is the name of Duop Reath (Blazers) which holds our attention, with its 9 voices, even if Bowl Bowl (Suns) also calls out with its 7 voices. same for me Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) with 3 votes.
The seriously injured and the French
Seven votes is also what… Steven Adams (Grizzlies), who has not yet set foot on a court all season! In the same genre, Lonzo Ball (Bulls) receives 1 vote even though he has not played since January… 2022. The almost blank seasons of Ja Morant (Grizzlies – 11 votes), Ben Simmons (Nets – 3 votes), Gabe Vincent (Lakers – 2 votes) or even Frank Ntilikina (Hornets – 1 vote) didn’t stop them from being rewarded with a few votes either.
In the French camp precisely, if Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) is already quite respected with 29 votes, names like Bilal Coulibaly (Wizards – 2 votes), Ousmane Dieng (Thunder – 2 votes), Olivier Sarr (Thunder – 1 vote) or Sidy Cissoko (Spurs – 1 vote) avoid zero points. Quite the opposite ofEvan Fournier (Knicks – 0 votes) or Nicolas Batum (Sixers – 0 votes), while Rudy Gobert (Wolves) comes away with 25 votes.
Ex-All-Stars and “disruptors”
And the old glories in all this? If Russell Westbrook (Clippers – 7 votes) did worse than Andrew Drummond (Bulls – 9 votes), he always does better than Zach LaVine (Bulls – 5 votes), his ex-college teammate Kevin Love (Heat – 4 votes), Al Horford (Celtics – 3 votes), Kyle Lowry (Heat – 3 votes) or even Draymond Green (Warriors – 6 votes).
A Draymond Green who, despite his recent (and numerous…) slip-ups, has therefore been designated an All-Star starter on a few occasions. He also mentioned other than for the athlete in recent weeks, Miles Bridges (Hornets) inherits 9 votes…
Click to find the full details of player votes
