3 Eastern Conference All-Stars that LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges were snubbed for
By Jason Huber
Which three players named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team should LaMelo Ball or Miles Bridges have gotten the nod over?
For the first time in years, the Charlotte Hornets look like they are a lock to make the NBA Playoffs or play-in game barring an epic collapse and that can be greatly contributed to the stellar play of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this season.
It would have been tough to have both make the NBA All-Star team but with how Charlotte has been playing, at least one of them should have been named to the team.
With seven reserve spots available after the five starters were named last week, the Hornets are the only team among the 10 teams in the playoff/play-in race without an all-star.
Ball likely had the better chance than Bridges but both are averaging more than 19 points per game. Ball is only in his sophomore season and is also averaging 7.7 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 45 games.
Meanwhile, Bridges is a strong candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year, has had multiple 30 points games this season, and has been pivotal to Charlotte’s success.
Related Story. The case for Miles Bridges for Most Improved Player. light
Even as the Hornets lead the league in points, they won’t have their first all-star representative since Kemba Walker in 2018.
Instead, James Harden, Jayson Tatum, Zach LaVine, Fred VanVleet, Jimmy Butler, Khris Middleton, and Darius Garland were named as Eastern Conference reserves.
Golden State Warriors all-star Draymond Green did make the point, though that Ball and Bridges might’ve missed out due to split votes between the two.
There is still a chance, though for either one to make the team with starter Kevin Durant likely to miss the game with an injury.
Until then, here are three players that Ball or Bridges should’ve been named over.