Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings is 5th in the NBA averaging 8.3 assists per game while also putting up 16.0 points and 1.5 steals. His stats look great, but the one thing holding him back is his shooting percentage which is sitting around 36 percent. Oh, and the Pistons aren't exactly having the year they envisioned.
Monta Ellis has been a pleasant surprise for the most part this season. The Dallas Mavericks shooting guard is averaging 20.0 points per game on 46 percent shooting, while also dishing out 6.0 assists and nearly two steals per game. He's been a big reason why Dallas looks like a solid playoff bet in 2014. But, the guards in the West are all pretty much locked up with most being fan and coach favorites, regardless of stats.
Having his best season yet as a pro, Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo is shooting lights out at 59 percent (true shooting percentage). He's a blazing 42.5 percent from beyond the arc also. Throw in 4.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists on top of his 20.9 points per game, and you've got an All-Star caliber player. The fact the Magic are having such a bad year means Afflalo will go unnoticed to many All-Star voters.
A big man that can consistently put up a double-double every night doesn't come around too often anymore. But, Andre Drummond has been stellar this year, averaging 12.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and blocking almost two shots per game. With the big names like Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Roy Hibbert being near locks for the game, Drummond will be left out.
Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas has been a wonderful sight for fans this season. He's put up 19.5 points, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game and is shooting a red-hot 41 percent from downtown. The kid has a bright future ahead, but like I said earlier, the West guards are loaded and Thomas will likely be left out.
There seems to be a theme here. The West is chock full of guards that could make an All-Star appearance, but because of fan voting, most will not get in though they are deserving in their own ways. Ty Lawson is another guy having a great year, with 18.0 points per game and coming in at 3rd in the league with 8.9 assists. Also adding 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals, it's a shame that Lawson likely will be left out.
Anthony Davis will be the sole reason the New Orleans Pelicans have hope to surge for a playoff spot. That hope may be small, but Davis has been outstanding this season though he's missed a few games due to injury. Boasting averages of 20.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and a league-leading 3.0 blocks, Davis is becoming one of the elite bit men in the game. Because of injury, and simply due to guys like Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki, he will be a big time snub.
Just like Davis, DeMarcus Cousins will likely be snubbed of a bid. He's been phenomenal though, posting 23.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. It will be tough to keep him out of many more All-Star Games, but with the way voting has gone in recent years, he's definitely going to be missing out this year.
Joakim Noah has been one of the main reasons for the Chicago Bulls' recent surge back into the thick of the playoff race in the East. He's been one of the more well-rounded centers in the game over the past couple of years, and this year is no different. His stat line includes a bit of everything, with 11.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, a block and a steal per game. Again, because of the fact that true centers were eliminated from the game, Noah may have a tough time getting in.
It's unfortunate that as good as Damian Lillard has been this season, he will be snubbed in favor of guys like Tony Parker and Kobe Bryant. Chris Paul is a lock, as well as Stephen Curry. But, Lillard's season has been phenomenal as he's helped the Portland Trail Blazers get off to an unexpectedly great year. He's averaged 21.4 points, 5.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. The most exciting part of his game has been his ability to hit the clutch shots, especially from three-point range where he's shooting almost 44 percent.
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