It can only be said that Leonard not making the All-Star team shows he is not well regarded.

The All-Star reserve list was officially revealed today, featuring Western Conference reserves: James, Durant, Edwards, Booker, Chet, Murray, and Avdija. As you know, the Clippers, who are hosting, had no players chosen this year.

This is like the Clippers inviting everyone to a meal, but while everyone else was seated, the Clippers were locked outside and couldn't enter. Usually, the host team has at least one All-Star selected to make the event more appealing, but surprisingly, the Clippers were completely shut out this time.

Of course, compared to Harden, more discussion is about Leonard missing out. Since the Clippers just made the play-in tournament, it’s impossible to have two players selected at once, and Leonard’s performance this season has been better than Harden’s, so most people feel more regret over Leonard’s omission.

Looking at the stats, Leonard not making the All-Star team is unbelievable. Before today, he averaged 27.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 49.6%, 39.5%, and 93.6% for field goals, three-pointers, and free throws respectively. His steals and free throw percentage rank first in the league, and his scoring average is seventh overall.

This is Leonard’s highest career scoring average year; after returning from injury, his efficiency has been maximized, including clutch shots and multiple high-scoring games. Unfortunately, these factors seem to have been completely overlooked by the voters.

Team performance is indeed a hindrance; the Clippers started terribly with a 6-21 record. Although their recent surge has brought their record close to .500, they still lack an advantage compared to other teams.

No player from the Clippers or any team with a worse record in the West was selected as an All-Star, indicating that in the West, team success is also a significant consideration. The East is a different story, with less competition pressure; even Siakam, whose team is near the bottom, made the All-Star team without much controversy.

Actually, the logic for selecting All-Star reserves is completely different from starters. Starters are chosen based on fan votes, media votes, and player votes, while reserves are simply selected by the head coaches of the 30 teams in the league.

Fans debate stats and records, but the main reason Leonard was left out is that he is not favored by other head coaches or people within this circle. No one denies Leonard’s strength, but his popularity among fans and media does not match his talent.

For example, in this All-Star voting, Leonard ranked 13th in fan votes, 12th in player votes, and 8th in media votes. Also, when four TNT hosts chose Western Conference All-Star reserves, none picked Leonard. This already hinted that Leonard might be excluded.

Leonard is ostracized in this circle partly because of his somewhat solitary personality; historically, he has been a low-profile figure in All-Stars, and his playing style doesn't suit the All-Star format. Additionally, he had a falling out with the Spurs, and Gregg Popovich’s influence in the coaching community is immense, with Spurs-affiliated coaches spread throughout the league.

The Paris Olympics incident further damaged Leonard’s reputation within the circle. Leonard had knee surgery in April but did not inform Team USA until late June, frustrating coaches and staff preparing for the Olympics.

Before this season began, Leonard was also under investigation for a suspected two-way contract issue. Although the results are pending, this undoubtedly counts against him. A series of off-court issues contributed to Leonard missing out on the All-Star reserves this time.

Leonard is definitely the first replacement candidate. Giannis might miss due to injury, and if Powell (representing Jamaica) makes the international team, a spot will open on Team USA, making Leonard’s entry highly likely.

Of course, compared to the All-Star game, the Clippers and Leonard are more focused on their play-in journey. After beating the Suns today, their record has surpassed the Trail Blazers, moving up to ninth in the West. Since Tyronn Lue’s statement after the Clippers’ 6-21 start about aiming for a 35-20 finish, the team has gone 17-4.

If Leonard gets called up as a replacement, he will participate as the host team’s player; if not, he can rest and prepare. Given Leonard’s personality, he might even feel relieved.