The NBA All-Star lineup sparks controversy! The host team Clippers have no players selected, and Kawhi Leonard becomes the biggest snub.

Today marks the announcement of the 2026 NBA All-Star reserves; let's check out the complete lineup!

Western Conference starters: Doncic, Curry, Alexander, Jokic, and Wembanyama.

Reserves: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Avdija, Murray, Booker, Edwards, and Holmgren.

Eastern Conference starters: Maxey, Brunson, Cunningham, Jaylen Brown, and Antetokounmpo.

Reserves: Mitchell, Towns, Jalen Johnson, Siakam, Powell, Scottie Barnes, and Duren.

This year we see many fresh faces, like Jamal Murray finally making it, and Jokic now having an All-Star teammate...

For example, the Hawks' new leader Johnson, who truly stepped up after Trae Young's departure.

Also, the Trail Blazers' star, Avdija.

Chet, Duren, and Powell are all first-time selections, right?

As time goes by, the NBA becomes more unfamiliar to veteran fans... This morning a friend asked me:

“Who is Duren?”

But this year is still okay, since those three veterans—LeBron, Durant, and Curry—are still holding down the fort.

LeBron, amid controversy, was selected as a reserve for the first time in his career but achieved a record-breaking 22 consecutive All-Star selections. This sets a new NBA record, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19 times) and Kobe Bryant (18 times).

Why the controversy?

The host team Clippers have no players chosen for this year's All-Star game.

Fans joked, "With this going on, Ballmer might just pull the plug."

It's quite awkward to have no home players on your own stage...

So, what does Di Ge think?

The world isn't just black or white.

Looking at on-court performance, Leonard is averaging 27.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game this season, shooting 50/40/94%, with steals and free throw percentage ranking first in the league.

You tell me he shouldn't be an All-Star?

If it's just about offensive firepower, this season Kawhi is even better than when the Raptors won the championship...

In contrast, LeBron averages 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists.

Honestly, Lakers fans shouldn't be upset:

A seventh-place team in the West doesn't deserve two All-Stars...

Keep in mind, this is from the perspective of individual performance and team results!

Also, everyone should understand: The All-Star reserves are entirely chosen by the head coaches of the 30 NBA teams.

This means there is a strong subjective element involved.

Coaches' thinking? First, personal preference; second, team success.

The main reason no Clippers were selected is their poor start to the season with consecutive losses, which heavily influenced coaches' initial choices. (Though the Clippers have been playing well recently.)

As for personal preference, no need to say more: between LeBron and Kawhi, who has bigger star power?

That says it all.

Whether in the NBA or CBA, which year's All-Star roster has no controversy or snubs?

That's just a topic for us media folks.

Why do people argue? Because the standards are unclear.

Many critics don't realize: All-Star selection criteria go beyond individual stats; team performance, league influence, and combined votes from coaches and fans all play crucial roles.

Also, the conference matters.

If Kawhi were on an Eastern Conference team, would he not be selected with these numbers?

Lastly, regarding Kawhi himself, he's long past the stage where he needs All-Star selections to prove himself; his personality and playing style don’t favor these laid-back games.

However, Di Ge predicts: he will be added as a replacement.