The NBA has announced that Andre Drummond will replace John Wall in next month’s All-Star Game, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets. The big man has enjoyed a career year with the Pistons, averaging 14.7 points and 15.1 rebounds per game.
Drummond, one of the most notable omissions from the initial wave of All-Stars, will suit up for his second such contest, his last appearance coming in the midst of Detroit’s 2015/16 push to the postseason.
Per Zillgitt, Silver made the decision to include Drummond because he received more voting points from coaches than any other player left off the initial roster in the Eastern Conference.
When the initial rosters were revealed, Drummond seemed particularly offended by his having been left out. At the time, he took out his frustration in the form of a 30-point, 23-rebound, 6-block, 3-steal night against the Jazz.
Wall’s absence from the game is unsurprising after this morning’s announcement that he’ll miss six weeks tending to a troublesome knee.
Honestly thought it would’ve been a guard. Kemba, Simmons, Dragic
Good choice. He was the biggest snub.
Tough call over Dragic IMO but he’s worthy.
If you’re going off pure numbers, Ben Simmons numbers have been better (outside of 3pt shooting and turnovers) and they play the same position. I don’t see how Dragic gets in over Simmons.
I never go off pure numbers. I go off eye test, impact, Winning, etc.
Simmons is infinitely more entertaining for an All Star game I’ll give him that. His physical tools are obvious. Yet his flaws/limitations and holes in his game are too.
He doesn’t look or feel like an All Star.
Dragic fails the test of counting stats, that’s true. And his shooting is down across the board this year. But..Ok my argument is totally subjective. I like how he plays. I like his decision making. I like his leadership. He’s smart, disciplined, makes players around him better.
Meh. I bored myself making that argument.
Simmons should replace Love.
I didn’t know Drummond was a point guard
Middleton should replace love
If Middleton’s 3p% was even league average, I’d agree. But he can’t throw it in the ocean this year @ .347. Considering he was above 43% last year, it’s been a disaster. And I’m not sure he defends very well anymore. He does get beat up all the time defending 4’s when GIannis sits, but he’s just not as quick as he was a couple years back.
Middleton is a really nice player but feels like he’s in a class just below All Star Level.
In the games Giannis hasn’t played, Middleton has had career nights. Yes, his 3pt% is low but he got named Eastern Conference player of the week with Giannis out this past week. I believe he deserves it over Simmons and Dragic.
I would have snubbed Drummond again. Cry baby. Did he deserve it in the first place? Yes. But then you slap the fans in the face. Don’t want to be a snub? Do better. Yes that’s easy for me to say while I’m getting paid to sit on a toilet right now. But if you want the recognition then put the work in.