It’s most likely the last thing on the minds of Hornets fans, but the 2024 NBA All-Star Game is rapidly approaching. This year’s event will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the game itself taking place on Sunday, February 18th at 8 PM EST in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The starting lineups for the 73rd annual All-Star Game were announced last Thursday night, as voted on by the fans, players, and media. NBA fans are still waiting to find out which 14 players will make up the rest of the teams. According to the NBA, the All-Star Game reserves will be announced this Thursday, February 1st at 7 PM EST, live on TNT.
The 2024 NBA All-Star Game reserves will be revealed by @NBAonTNT on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. ET.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 26, 2024
Seven players will be named in each conference: two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position. NBA head coaches will select the reserves. pic.twitter.com/c3euAoHURB
So far, we know that the starters will be Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid for the East, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Nikola Jokic starting for the West. That leaves seven players from each conference to be selected by the coaches.
Does any Hornet have a chance?
The short answer to this question is, no. The Hornets are simply having too poor of a season for any players to even be considered this time around. At 10-35, the amount to which a player would have to stand out to have a strong case is pretty astronomical, and frankly, nobody is close.
The talent level across the league is as high as it has ever been and there are several teams above Charlotte in the standings that will have to settle for one, or even zero all-stars this year. Along with the overwhelming losing, there isn’t a player who could even build a compelling case for consideration.
LaMelo Ball made the 2022 All-Star team in only his second season in the league and would be the most likely Hornet. However, he has played in just 22 games thus far out of a possible 45, essentially disqualifying him. He’s having a fine season when he’s been on the floor, averaging 23.9 points, 8.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. But he’s only shooting 43% from the field and 35% from 3.
Those stats are solid, but nothing special compared to the stiff competition for an all-star guard spot in the East. Throw in the team record and all the missed games and he doesn’t have a prayer.
Isn’t there anyone else?
No, not really. The Hornet having probably the best season and best case - still an extreme longshot, and that’s being generous - overall was Terry Rozier, and of course he now plays for the Miami Heat. Beyond that, Miles Bridges has been playing pretty good basketball since his return, and stud rookie, Brandon Miller has shown flashes lately. But they aren’t even in the stratosphere of NBA All-Star reserve consideration.
There is certainly a chance that the Hornets will be represented at some point during All-Star weekend in Indiana, but there is no chance they will have a player playing in the actual All-Star Game. If the NBA decides to expand the East All-Star roster from 12 to 40 then we can revisit this conversation. But short of that, it’s not happening.