This year's game will also be among the strangest in recent history. Longtime stalwarts such as Tim Duncan, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett were not selected as All-Stars for the first time in a long time. As the run of All-Star seasons ends for some, many NBA veterans achieved career milestones after being selected.
Celtics F Paul Pierce will be appearing in his 10th career All-Star Game, after surpassing the legendary Larry Bird on the Celtics All-Time leading scoring list. Suns PG Steve Nash made his 8th All-Star Game, but became the only player in NBA History to make an All-Star Game at age 38 or older. With any kind of All-Star Game there will be snubs, players that many believed should have been selected to play in the game. Here are my top five snubs.
1. Hawks F Josh Smith
Josh Smith never seems to get much respect when the All-Star voting gets underway. Smith has had a stellar season, averaging roughly a double-double with 15.9 PPG and 9.3 RPG. Smith is also an incredible shot blocker, blocking about two shots per game. Josh Smith always seems to be an All-Star snub, but this year Smith is having perhaps his best season.
2. Warriors SG Monta Ellis
Injuries have plagued Ellis throughout his career, but he has managed to stay relatively healthy this year. Ellis never gets much attention because he plays for a poor Golden State team, but he is simply an incredible player. Ellis is 8th in the NBA in PPG this season, averaging 22.2 points this season. Monta Ellis is also managing to get the ball in the hands of his teammates, averaging a respectable 6.1 APG. With a season highlighted by a 48 point outburst against Oklahoma City, Ellis should be playing in Orlando on All-Star weekend.
3. Grizzlies SF Rudy Gay
Gay has rebounded from a severe shoulder injury last year and has had a great year. Rudy Gay leads Memphis in scoring with 18.5 PPG. Gay is one of the best young stars in the NBA giving the Grizzlies a consistent scoring threat. While Gay isn't considered an all around player, he has managed to grab 6.6 RPG. Gay has stepped up in the absence of Zach Randolph and has really played his best ball. Gay may not get a ton of attention or be a flashy player, but he deserved to be an All-Star this season.
4. Warriors PF David Lee
It is an incredible that with the amount of talent that Golden State has and yet they still can't contend. David Lee is definitely part of that young core, averaging roughly a double-double with 18.4 PPG and 9.9 RPG. Lee is also extremely efficient, shooting 51% from the field. Like his teammate Ellis, Lee does not receive a ton of attention because of where he plays but don't be fooled, Lee is an incredible player. Rumors swirled before the season about whether the Warriors would trade Lee, but after an All-Star like season, expect to see him in Oakland for a while.
5. Magic PF Ryan Anderson
Anderson lost some of the luster he had at the beginning of the year, where he continually put up very high scoring numbers. Ryan Anderson has still had a very good season in his first year as a starter with 16.7 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Those numbers don't necessarily jump out at you and scream "All-Star", but the fact that Anderson shoots 43% from the three point line does. Anderson has always been an exceptional shooter from three, but now in a starter's role, Ryan Anderson's game has gone to another level, a level worth an All-Star selection.
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