All-Star starters announced but NBA fans all saying same thing after shock snub

The NBA has announced its starting lineups for the East/West squads for the upcoming 2024 All-Star Game on February 18.

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo – as leading vote-getters – will lead their respective conferences in Indianapolis for the exhibition game next month between the league’s biggest stars.

James will be joined as a Western Conference starter by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

However, conspicuous in his absence as a starter is Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry.

This is the first season since 2013 that a healthy Curry will not be an All-Star starter and fans think the four-time champion has been snubbed.

“Greatest Point Guard of All-Time and people really voted for Shai over him. It’s just laughable how much y’all hate Steph at this point,” one fan said.

“He got snubbed”, said another.

“Should’ve gotten it over Luka,” added a third.

“This is mad disrespectful,” a fourth replied.

However, others argued Curry has had a down season this year and is undeserving of a starting place.

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If the voting was purely based on popularity and what a player has achieved in the game, Curry would be a starter every year.

But voting, which is determined by a vote from fans (50%), media (25%) and players (25%), is supposed to reflect performances this season.

Heading into Thursday’s 133-134 loss against the Sacramento Kings, Curry has been averaging 26.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and five assists for the Warriors, who now have a 19-23 record and are 12th in the Western Conference.

Curry was also competing against Luka Doncic and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander for the two starting back-court places, and it was always going to be difficult getting in over them based on this season’s form.

Doncic is No.2 in scoring in the NBA with 33.6 points per game and has career-bests in 3-point shooting (37.3%) and assists (9.3 per game).

SGA, meanwhile, is a legitimate MVP candidate and is the league’s leader in 30-point games this season.

He is also one of four players averaging at least 30 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds this season and his young Thunder team are the No.2 seed out West.

It’s hardly the end of the world for nine-time All-Star Curry though, as he’s still likely to play in the All-Star Game.

The All-Star reserves are announced on 1st February and are chosen in a vote of the league’s head coaches.

It’s widely expected Curry will be named one of the West’s reserves.

This year’s All-Star Game goes back to the traditional East vs. West format after experimenting with team captains drafting players since 2018.

The Eastern Conference starting lineup includes Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.