The NBA All-Star reserves were officially announced Sunday night, and as always, the selections sparked plenty of debate. While many familiar names made the cut, one of the more intriguing additions was Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, who earned his first All-Star nod in what’s shaping up to be an impressive rookie campaign.
Holmgren’s selection makes sense when you look at the bigger picture. The Thunder are sitting atop the NBA standings, and while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP level, Holmgren has been a key reason why OKC has emerged as a legitimate title contender.
The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 17.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game-numbers that speak to his two-way impact. He’s not just filling a role; he’s anchoring one of the league’s best defenses while providing efficient scoring and floor spacing on the other end.
Still, not everyone is sold on Holmgren’s All-Star credentials. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas voiced his disagreement on The Gilbert Arenas Show, arguing that Holmgren’s role as a third option on his team should’ve kept him out of the All-Star mix.
“Your team is number one, we get it,” Arenas said. “But it’s the third option.
Please get the first option players first, then you can move on to option twos, then threes. That’s exactly what Kawhi Leonard is doing, right?
James Harden, right?”
Arenas’ comments reflect a broader sentiment that’s been making the rounds on social media-especially from fans of the Clippers, who were shut out of All-Star representation despite hosting the event this year. Kawhi Leonard, in particular, has been at the center of the snub conversation.
The two-time Finals MVP is having the most efficient scoring season of his career, averaging 27.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting just under 50% from the field. He’s been the engine behind the Clippers’ recent turnaround, helping them climb back into playoff contention with a 23-25 record.
James Harden, too, has a strong case. The veteran guard is averaging 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game-numbers that, in most years, would be more than enough to land a spot on the All-Star roster.
Both Leonard and Harden have the résumé, the stats, and the star power that typically define All-Star selections. What they don’t have, at least this season, is a top-tier record to back it up-though the Clippers’ recent surge has made that argument less convincing.
The frustration is compounded by the fact that other All-Stars, such as Deni Avdija and Pascal Siakam, are coming from teams with worse records. Siakam, for instance, was named an All-Star despite playing for the team currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. That inconsistency in the selection process-balancing individual performance, team success, and star appeal-continues to be a flashpoint every year.
As for Holmgren, the debate boils down to how we define an All-Star. Is it purely about numbers?
Team success? Role?
Star power? Holmgren might not have the scoring volume of Leonard or the flash of Harden, but his impact on the league’s best team is undeniable.
He stretches the floor, protects the rim, and plays with a poise that belies his inexperience. His presence has transformed the Thunder from a fun young team into a serious threat in the West.
Arenas summed up his stance bluntly: “You are not an All-Star player right now. You’re on the best team in the NBA, and you’re doing okay, but you’re not dominating.”
That’s a fair critique-Holmgren isn’t dominating in the traditional sense. But he’s influencing winning, and in a league where context matters, that counts for something. His selection is reminiscent of past debates around players like Rudy Gobert, whose defensive excellence often went underappreciated because it didn’t show up in highlight reels or box scores.
At the end of the day, the Western Conference is stacked with talent. There were always going to be deserving players left off the list.
This time, it’s the Clippers’ dynamic duo on the outside looking in. But Holmgren’s inclusion isn’t a fluke-it’s a reflection of the Thunder’s rise and his role in it.
Whether you agree or not, he’s earned his spot among the league’s elite this season.