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Brooklyn Nets: Brook Lopez Among All-Star Snubs

By Nikhil Potpally

Jan 20, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 91-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 91-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA All Star reserves were announced Thursday night, and among the Eastern Conference reserves wasn’t Brook Lopez of the Brooklyn Nets.

2015-16 Eastern Conference Team

Starters: Kyle Lowry, Dwyane Wade, Paul George, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony

Reserves: Isaiah Thomas, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, John Wall, Paul Millsap, Chris Bosh, Andre Drummond

The NBA All Star Game is merely an exhibition game with no real incentive for players, other than a monetary bonus they receive. However, it’s still respected by some fans and players who follow basketball, which is why there tends to be a reaction when players who deserved to make the team didn’t, and players who didn’t deserve to make it, did. Among those who were snubbed this year is Brooklyn Nets’ center, Brook Lopez.

Lopez (through 46 games) held season averages of 19.6 PPG (22nd in league), 1.9 BPG (9th), and 8.4 RPG. His efficient rating was 20.8, a respectable total. Lopez being stuck on a 12-34 Brooklyn team likely contributed to him being left out, but he should have deserved a better fate with the stats he put up.

Lopez was fairly quiet about his thoughts on whether or not he should or shouldn’t be an All Star this year, and acted modestly (unlike Thomas). He didn’t make social media videos and spend his postgame interviews complaining about his chances, but rather focused on how he can help his team play better.

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In my opinion, I think Lopez should have made the team over Thomas, Wall, Bosh, and Millsap. Each of those players averages 21.6, 19.6, 19.2, and 18.3 PPG, respectively. Thomas made the reserves, in part due to his public complaining, but also because he is one of the top bench players this year (ignoring his lack of defense). Wall, Bosh, and Millsap made the reserves due to their name marketability and reputation. If we were making selections objectively, you can’t tell me that Wall, Bosh, and Millsap are having better seasons than Lopez. The teams they are on play a factor, but so do their “big names”.

Points aren’t everything, and a player’s impact on his team should also be considered by a coach. The coaches choose the reserves, and Eastern Conference coach, Tyronn Lue (who should have no business in coaching the Eastern team this year), was dealt with the aforementioned seven.

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The players selected are good players, but many can argue that others are more deserving (unless you are Lue who advocated for Kevin Love to make the team this year). Whatever the choices, there will always be those unhappy who deserved a better outcome. Unfortunately for Nets fans, Lopez was one of the unlucky ones this year.

The future shouldn’t be too bleak for Lopez. He could get some well-deserved rest over the February break, and look forward to helping the Nets improve on the court. Maybe this snub will be a chip on the shoulder, adding to his motivation for next year’s selections.

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