The 2023 NBA All-Star starters were announced Thursday night, and we saw a few familiar superstars. To name a few: LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Nikola Jokic. There were, of course, also the customary snubs. (Where’s Joel Embiid?)
But one 2023 All-Star starter selection had parts of the NBA world raising its brow (no pun intended).
After missing the entire 2021-2022 campaign, the New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson was named an All-Star starter for the first time in his young career. While Williamson has had a special season — averaging 26 points, seven rebounds, and almost five assists — he hasn’t played a game since early January thanks to a hamstring strain.
This distinction made some believe that the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (27 points, 12 boards, 2.6 assists) deserved a starting spot more than Williamson. Davis has had his fair share of health issues this year, too, but has played in just three fewer games than the Pelicans’ talisman.
Naturally, Williamson leapfrogging Davis created a schism in the basketball community.