The NBA All-Star reserves are officially set, and as always, the announcement sparked more debate over who didn’t make the cut than who did. That’s especially true in the Western Conference, where a couple of high-profile omissions are turning heads - and not just because the All-Star Game is being held in their own backyard.
Despite the game tipping off at the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome, neither Kawhi Leonard nor James Harden will be suiting up. Both are averaging over 25 points per game and have been instrumental in turning around what looked like a lost season.
After a brutal 6-21 start, the Clippers have clawed their way back to within two games of .500 - and that’s no accident. Leonard and Harden have been at the heart of that resurgence.
Kawhi, in particular, has been on a tear. He’s missed more games than Harden, sure, but when he’s on the floor, he’s looked every bit like an MVP candidate.
If you’re looking for the biggest snub in the West, he’s right at the top of the list. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas didn’t hold back, calling the current All-Star selections “embarrassing” for leaving out both Clippers.
But even with the outrage, the question remains: *Who do you take off to make room? *
That’s where things get tricky. Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant are locks - no argument there.
LeBron James is a no-brainer too, especially if this ends up being his final All-Star appearance. So now you're looking at names like Deni Avdija, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, and Chet Holmgren.
Avdija has quietly turned into a star in Portland, keeping the Blazers competitive despite the early-season chaos surrounding Chauncey Billups. Booker, meanwhile, has been the steady hand in Phoenix, guiding a revamped Suns squad to a 30-20 record.
Murray stepped up big when Nikola Jokic missed time, helping keep Denver in the race for the 2-seed. That leaves Holmgren as the one name where there might be some wiggle room.
On a recent episode of No Fouls Given, Danny Green and Paul Pierce dug into Holmgren’s selection. Green acknowledged Chet’s talent but questioned whether he was more deserving than someone like Alperen Sengun, who’s been the engine of the Rockets’ offense - especially in the wake of Fred VanVleet’s preseason ACL tear. Sengun’s been putting up 21.0 points, 9.2 boards, and 6.4 assists per game, while taking on a massive workload.
Green’s argument makes sense - Sengun has been phenomenal. But Pierce countered with a point that’s long been an unspoken rule in All-Star voting: if you’re the best team in the league, you’re getting at least two All-Stars.
That’s how it played out in the East, where the conference-leading Pistons landed both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. And it’s part of why Holmgren got the nod.
He might not have the gaudiest stats, but he’s been the second-most important player on a team that’s on pace for 64 wins and another 1-seed.
Holmgren’s also been more durable than Sengun, appearing in 44 games, and he brings a defensive presence that’s tough to ignore. That balance - availability, team success, and two-way impact - likely tipped the scales in his favor.
Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that someone got left out who probably deserved to be in. That’s the reality of today’s NBA.
The league is stacked with talent, and with only so many All-Star spots to go around, worthy players are going to miss the cut. Whether it’s Kawhi, Harden, or Sengun, there just wasn’t enough room at the table.
Bottom line: All-Star selections often come down to more than just numbers. Team success, narrative, and even timing all play a role. And while the Clippers and Rockets might feel slighted, the message is clear - win more, stay healthy, and next year, the spot might be yours.