Markkanen going to be selected to the ASG?

[Inigo Montoya]

I agree. As long as Markkanen is named an allstar, that in itself is a validation for the remarkable season he's having. And frankly, being voted in by the coaches, who actually know the game the best, is much more flattering and validating than being voted in by the media (who have their own favorites and agendas) or by fans who make a mockery out of the entire process and made dumb votes like Austin Reeves every single season.

[TNJazz]

Back in the day, Karl Malone was voted on by the coaches even though he was the the best PF in the league at the time. When he was snubbed for AC Green, he went out and scored 60 to prove a point...
Fan voting needs to be reduced to 20-25 % of the voting not 50%. Laury getting put on by those who know the game is a much better accolade than being overlooked by a fan base that is biased per capita and voting for " Their" players.

[Inigo Montoya]

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[TNJazz]

pretty good showing for a first time serious contender for the ASG. Too bad there are two players ranked higher who have played significantly less and most likely aren't available for the game. Are salary incentives connected to getting voted in or to actually participating?

[Crunch 99]

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I am glad to see the players, the most knowledgeable group out of the three voting groups, gave Markkanen his due by ranking him #4 for frontcourt players.

Meanwhile, starter Zion Williamson's long string of DNPs looks like it is leading his team right out of the playoff standings before the All Star game. Zion is down to just 56%-active for Pelican games. The most optimistic outlook for Zion is to return to action on Feb 7 on a minutes restriction to play in four games before the All Star game.

It probably will never happen, but Zion should self decline to start the All Star game so one of Sabonis or Markkanen, two players who have been delivering for their teams night in and night out, gets the start.

[zero24gravity]

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I am glad to see the players, the most knowledgeable group out of the three voting groups, gave Markkanen his due by ranking him #4 for frontcourt players.

Meanwhile, starter Zion Williamson's long string of DNPs looks like it is leading his team right out of the playoff/playin standings by the All Star game. Zion is down to just 56%-active for Pelican games. The most optimistic outlook for Zion is to return to action on Feb 7 on a minutes restriction to play in four games before the All Star game.

It probably will never happen, but Zion should self decline to start the All Star game so one of Sabonis or Markkanen, two players who have been delivering for their teams night in and night out, gets the start.

If I were King of the NBA, it would be 70% active or no All Star Game, period. I'd also remove fan voting completely, and it would be 2 teams NBA-wide (28 best players), not based on conference. The fact that things like player contract bonus, and HOF votes are predicated on a system that allows fans to vote, is embarrassing and mocks the integrity of the league. Does the NBA really think that fans watch (or don't watch) because of their voting? (Hint: no) Nobody is like, "well, I voted for Zion and he's not playing, so I'm not watching". You either watch or you don't, regardless of who's playing. The game is an exhibition, but at least who is named to the team could be given some more respect. I'm also on the fence about teams being named about 2/3 of the way through the season, and not at the end of the year. I understand why they want the "All Star Break", but shouldn't it be the best players for the season, not the first part of the season?

[dautjazz]

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I am glad to see the players, the most knowledgeable group out of the three voting groups, gave Markkanen his due by ranking him #4 for frontcourt players.

Meanwhile, starter Zion Williamson's long string of DNPs looks like it is leading his team right out of the playoff/playin standings by the All Star game. Zion is down to just 56%-active for Pelican games. The most optimistic outlook for Zion is to return to action on Feb 7 on a minutes restriction to play in four games before the All Star game.

It probably will never happen, but Zion should self decline to start the All Star game so one of Sabonis or Markkanen, two players who have been delivering for their teams night in and night out, gets the start.

Zion just the go to "run", and will be reevaluated in a week, I highly doubt that the Pelicans risk having him come back early to play for a week before the All-Star break. Might as well give 2-3 weeks of extra rest and have him come back after the break. Pelicans should protect their asset and ask him to sit out the game.