NBA expert: LeBron’s All-Star selection is more of a career achievement award; at least four players deserve the spot more than him

On February 2nd Beijing time, well-known CBS Sports analyst Brad Botkin wrote that LeBron’s All-Star selection was expected and could even be considered a “career achievement award.” However, Botkin also pointed out that at least four players are more deserving of this All-Star position than LeBron. They are Clippers’ Leonard and Harden, Rockets’ Sengun, and Jazz’s Markkanen. Below are Botkin’s evaluations of these four stars—

Leonard (Clippers)

Averaging 27.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game

This season, Leonard has delivered the best performance of his career, leading the Clippers to an unstoppable streak over the past two months. His 27.6 points per game is a career high, and his shooting stats are on track to join the elite “180 Club” of top shooters. His free throw percentage is an impressive 92.1%, ranking 4th in the league, and he averages 2.0 steals per game, tied for 1st in the league. His performance is truly superior to LeBron’s.

Many believe Leonard’s exclusion is utterly ridiculous. He has had a phenomenal season, and if the gap between the two players were small, giving the spot to LeBron would be understandable, but the current situation is far from balanced. On this point, I fully support Leonard.

Sengun (Rockets)

Averaging 21 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game

Sengun is one of only three players in the entire league averaging 20+ points, 9+ rebounds, and 6+ assists per game, alongside the “best player on Earth” Jokic and current All-Star Jalen Johnson. The Rockets are currently one of the top teams in the league, yet only Durant from their roster made the All-Star team?

Honestly, the Rockets deserve to have three All-Stars. Amen Thompson’s performance in the East would make his selection a certainty. In my view, Sengun not only outperforms LeBron but also deserves an All-Star spot more than Thunder’s Holmgren. Of course, the Thunder have a better record than the Rockets, so they rightly deserve one more All-Star spot than Houston.

Regardless, Sengun deserves to be selected. If Leonard should replace LeBron’s spot, then Sengun might be the one to take Booker’s place. If I had to choose, I would vote for Sengun to replace Booker.

Harden (Clippers)

Averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game

I admit the Clippers are still fighting hard for a play-in spot and probably shouldn’t have two players in the All-Star game, with Leonard being the most unfairly left out. But Harden’s performance is also worth mentioning. As another star overshadowed by the intense competition in the West, Harden’s shooting efficiency isn’t outstanding, but over the past two months, he has been the absolute core of the Clippers’ offense — a team whose offensive efficiency ranks fifth in the league.

Based purely on on-court performance, Harden clearly deserves an All-Star spot more than LeBron. But to be fair, if LeBron’s defense is criticized, Harden’s defense is equally lacking. However, Harden’s offensive contributions far exceed those of LeBron.

Markkanen (Jazz)

Averaging 27.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game

Only the fiercely competitive Western Conference would see a seven-footer averaging 27 points and 7 rebounds miss out on the All-Star game. To clarify, his competitor is not LeBron. Markkanen has been treated unfairly (his teammate, Khyant George, also deserves a spot, but the Jazz can only send one player, and Markkanen is undoubtedly the more suitable choice).

I have previously mentioned that some omitted players have every reason to replace Holmgren’s spot. This does not deny Holmgren’s talent; he is clearly an All-Star caliber player. Compared to Markkanen, Holmgren’s defensive ability is a huge advantage, and the Thunder are currently the top team in the league.

But the fact is, the NBA should have abolished the East-West conference restriction on All-Star voting long ago — after all, the conference system is already disconnected from the All-Star game format. Without the rigid requirement to select seven Eastern Conference players, all of these Western stars should have been chosen (no offense intended to Eastern players like Siakam, Powell, and Towns).

Even under the current rules, it is absolutely absurd for a player like Markkanen, averaging 27 points and 7 rebounds, to miss the All-Star game.

What do you think of Botkin’s opinion? Do these four players deserve All-Star selection more than LeBron? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.