Top 5 Biggest NBA All-Star Snubs in History

The annual NBA All-Star Game not only signals the halfway mark in the season, but it also highlights the biggest and brightest stars in one game, which also opens a good  avenue for NBA betting. However, the selection of such players who will be included in the game is quite controversial since fans have the power to pick through voting.

Although praised by many, this method is simultaneously criticized because several players who are playing well in that season and helping their team boost their chances in the NBA championship odds are not being nominated to showcase their talent under the spotlight alongside other basketball superstars.

Today, we will be looking at the top five list of the biggest NBA All-Star snubs in history. 

Dirk Nowitzki – 2000-01 Season

Dirk Nowitzki’s third season in the league was his breakout year, where he racked up 21.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 38.7% from three’s as a big man. But these statistical numbers were not enough to make his first-ever NBA All-Star appearance. Nowitzki had better scoring output over Rasheed Wallace (19.1 points), Antonio McDyess (20.8 points) and Vlade Divac (12.0 points) that year.

Damian Lillard – 2015-16 Season

The Portland Trail Blazers should have two NBA All-Stars in 2016, but only LaMarcus Aldridge made the cut, leaving out Damian Lillard despite his stellar play that year. Lillard’s 25.1 points, 6.8 assists and 37.5% percent numbers went unnoticed and raised eyebrows. Anthony Davis (24.2 points), Chris Paul (19.5 points) and Draymond Green (13.9 points) were selected over him for that year.

Horace Grant – 1991-92 Season

Chicago’s 1990s dominance was solely attributed to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. But other key role players were part of the team, and one of those is Horace Grant. The power forward was a solid defender and averaged a double-double of 14.2 points and 10 rebounds in 1991-92. However, Grant failed to make the All-Star team in spite of being the third-best player in the dominant Bulls team.

Al Jefferson – 2013-14 Season

In the 2013-14 season, the Charlotte Hornets found their new cornerstone to the franchise after signing Al Jefferson. He instantly became the team’s number one offensive player with 21.8 points along with 10.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Other selected centers were Roy Hibbert (averaged 10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds) and Joakim Noah (averaged 12.5 points and 11.2 rebounds). But these spectacular numbers were overlooked, and Jefferson was denied an NBA All-Star appearance.

John Stockton – 1987-88 Season

John Stockton never made the NBA All-Star team until his fifth year in the league in 1989, but the previous year in 1988, Stockton had a solid case to have been included with his double-double average of 14.7 points and league-leading 13.8 assists with 3.0 steals per game. This season was also his best shooting efficiency, with 57.4%. Despite this 1988 snub, John Stockton appeared in ten NBA All-Star games throughout his career.