The Reigning Champs: LeBron and Curry Fall Short of Leading Votes for All-Star Positions
Introduction
The 2023 NBA All-Star Game is set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 19th. As the league's most prestigious regular-season event, the All-Star Game brings together the best and brightest players in the NBA. This year, however, two of the league's most iconic players, LeBron James and Stephen Curry, will be noticeably absent from the starting lineup.
James, a four-time NBA MVP and 19-time All-Star, finished fourth in the Western Conference frontcourt voting, behind Nikola Jokic, Zion Williamson, and Paul George. Curry, a two-time NBA MVP and eight-time All-Star, finished fifth in the Western Conference guard voting, behind Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Damian Lillard.
The absence of James and Curry from the starting lineup has sparked a significant amount of discussion and debate. Some have questioned whether the voting system is fair, while others have suggested that it is simply a reflection of the changing landscape of the NBA.
The Voting System
The NBA All-Star voting system is a two-step process. In the first step, fans vote for their favorite players online, through the NBA app, and on social media. The top three vote-getters in each position in each conference will be named the starters.
In the second step, a panel of media members and NBA executives will vote for the remaining seven players in each conference. The players with the highest total votes will be named reserves.
The current voting system has been in place since 2017. Prior to that, fans voted for the starters and reserves in a single round of voting.
The Changing Landscape of the NBA
The NBA has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The league has become more global, with players from all over the world competing for roster spots. The game has also become more positionless, with players becoming increasingly versatile and able to play multiple positions.
These changes have led to a more competitive and unpredictable NBA. There are no longer any clear-cut favorites, and every team has a chance to win on any given night. This has made it more difficult for players like James and Curry to dominate the voting and earn All-Star selections.
The Case for James and Curry
There is no doubt that James and Curry are two of the greatest players in NBA history. James is the league's all-time leading scorer, and Curry is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time.
Both players have had outstanding seasons so far in 2022-23. James is averaging 29.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. Curry is averaging 29.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.
Based on their performance alone, James and Curry deserve to be All-Star starters. However, the current voting system does not always reward the most deserving players.
The Case Against James and Curry
There are also some valid arguments to be made against James and Curry starting in the All-Star Game.
First, both players are in the twilight of their careers. James is 38 years old, and Curry is 34 years old. While they are still playing at a high level, they are not the same players they were in their prime.
Second, the Western Conference is incredibly deep with talent. There are several young players who are having breakout seasons, and they deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments.
Third, the All-Star Game is a fan-voted event. The fans have spoken, and they have chosen other players to start in place of James and Curry.
Conclusion
The absence of LeBron James and Stephen Curry from the starting lineup of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game is a significant event. It is a sign of the changing landscape of the NBA, and it is a reminder that even the greatest players are not immune to the passage of time.
Whether or not James and Curry deserve to be All-Star starters is a matter of opinion. However, there is no doubt that they are two of the most iconic players in NBA history. Their absence from the starting lineup will be felt by fans around the world.
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The Reigning Champs: LeBron And Curry Fall Short Of Leading Votes For All-Star Positions