A key requirement for NBA postseason awards is 65 games played and 20 or more minutes per game, though there are some exceptions to the rule. According to Clippers reporter Justin Russo (Twitter link), a majority of the players in the league will fall short of that baseline.
There are 524 players currently in the NBA and only 148 remain eligible, according to Russo. Among the current eligible players, only 108 are on pace to play 65 games. Russo provides a comprehensive spreadsheet on the eligibility of players throughout the league.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns and Lakers guard Gabe Vincent were elected by the Players Association’s Board of Representatives as vice presidents on the NBPA Executive Committee, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets. Additionally, Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was reelected as a VP.
- Cleveland is likely to be awarded the next WNBA franchise, Tom Friend of the Sports Business Journal reports. The new franchise will begin play in 2028. Multiple sources told Friend that Cleveland’s approximate bid was a league record $250MM. An official announcement is expected no later than March. The WNBA is also considering scrapping its original plan of adding one team and could award one or two more franchises to bring its league total to 18 clubs. Philadelphia, Houston, Nashville, Detroit and Miami are the other cities in the running for a franchise.
- Mac McClung‘s three straight triumphs in the annual Dunk Contest on All-Star weekend proves that the event doesn’t need star power, Jason Jones of The Athletic opines. Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed some interest on social media of participating in next year’s competition but Jones argues that it’s more important to have entrants who are passionate about the art of dunking and performing on a grand stage.
So essentially this rule has done nothing to curb load management and waters down their rewards
When McClung has 5 career games and 3 dunk titles and is a household name because of it, it’s gotten stupid and looks like a total scam. Just let anyone in it then?
Billy Hoyle aka Mac McClung should be the focus of the all star game like Caitlin Clark should be the focus of the WNBA
Caitlin Clark -should- be the focus of the WNBA though, what do you mean???
Get rid of the dunk contest. The only thing interesting was c Paul figuring out a way to win the skills challenge and the NBA was stupid about it.
What a horrific all star game too.
It was Wemby’s idea, not cp’s
So CP3 is just taking the fall by admission of guilt?
He is not taking the fall, people are just assuming based on his history. He also competed in the event before yet never tried that.
Allstar weekend has been awful for a while and this one was no different. It’s awful plain and simple
It was a different awful and that’s all they were trying to accomplish. Thanks Steph/Davey J.
You think I am Steph Curry?
I swear you commenters on here are all completely insane.
McClung proves the Dunk Contest doesn’t need star power. That being said, some additional competition from household names wouldn’t hurt. McClung winning would be a lot cooler if the guys he’s beating are known stars of the game.
I think that the stars don’t want to get clowned by a G-League player. Or they don’t want to hurt themselves (and the season, and their earning power) competing at an exposition. So they don’t enter.
Mac clipping his foot on the car is a reason why most won’t be doing it.
The dunk contest just needs players that can hype a crowd up. Castle was making great dunks but didn’t hype crowd up before or after. He only had one that he screamed on after.
“doesnt need star power” ok but mac has FIVE career NBA games.
The slam dunk contest absolutely needs star power. McClung WAS the star power. Without him in it I wouldn’t have watched the competition. Unless they’re gonna pay McClung an entry fee (LIKE THEY HAD TO THE PAST TWO YEARS) for the next ten years and he manages to somehow keep it fresh, then they need some star power. That contest was garbage. The whole even was garbage honestly.
Yeah ten yrs of the same player is the answer…..
True credibility there ……..
Does need star power. But stars dont need it. Has to be young bucks going for it all.
lol, crybaby says what?
I doubt you want my attention lol.
Al, at least you dont have posters on here claiming YOU are singularly responsible for the NBA all-star game….real normal people on here, lol
You’re the one who literally said max Christie’s two way ability makes him as valuable as doncic based on a few games of stats. You said that bruh. Lmfao
(for the record, I never said this) (I think this is @al)
No thats now what I said. But you can swallow what ever you want. Like you always do. Grow up and learn to argue.
“Christie may never be as good as Luka on Offense (only 21yrs old). As a 2way player. Has the potential to be as valuable.”
That come drizzled from your mouth.
It’s just not a contest when one player has all sorts of props and the rest are dunking…
Anyone who has played 6 games in the NBA has played more games than Mac, how on earth is he a “star”? Are you his mom?
If they are letting just anyone in, like Mac, then why not be open about it and make it a nationwide open field contest? No NBA players needed.
He’s not a great basketball, but dude is a star. If people are demanding to see you, you’re a star.
that makes no sense at all. Is Luigi Mangioni a “star” to you?
He’s infamous, not a celebrated famous person. At least shouldn’t be.
McClung is a star at this one thing. It’s undeniable. People tuned in to watch him, for very positive reasons, and that makes him box office draw… in other words, a star. Not an all-star, but a star.
Right, and my point here is there are thousands of Mac McClung’s not in the NBA who are superior dunkers to him. Why not allow -anyone- to submit for it?
Cool, let them dunk then. The show is garbage as is.
Didn’t even know KAT was involved in this. The players association should be more involved in the all star game format. Ex players too. Retired players should play a more prominent part in the affair. Celebrate it’s history. And keep the new generations informed.
The weekend needs a 4th event. I don’t know why they got rid of the team shooting when they had a current player, legend, & WNBA. I rather have that than a Gelo performance.
Easy solution for the NBA. If the players don’t want to do it just stop having a dunk contest or have only WNBA payers in the dunk contest.
All-star games are relics of the past in all sports. NBA isnt as bad as MLB, who at least used to have their leagues not play each other, but now interleague exists, its worthless, we can see all this in the regular season.
MLB is a joke now. i don’t even watch anymore. There is only a few teams that can win a championship. After what they did to the people of Oakland I will boycott them forever. I was a big fan went to probably 1000 games in my life time.
As an A’s fan, it must stink to see the Mavericks owners openly view Fisher’s A’s as their future template, not “avoid at all costs” like it should be.
San Jose, CA deserves a MLB team next, if we look at population/economics. The Giants are a 2 hour drive away with traffic, on the east coast if you drive 2 hours you will hit like 8 different stadiums.
They should start dunking things other than basketballs like donuts and have it sponsored by Tim hortons
All Star games is about todays stars ……
It should also celebrate its history of stars. And future stars. And reach out to all its fans worldwide. Thats where you start ……. I’m available
Why is it that McClung is allowed to enter dunk contest when he is not playing regular NBA games, yet players are not eligible to win MVP if they don’t play so many games.
I understand he brings excitement, but if that’s the case why have any NBA players involved and get better dunkers?
The teams in skill challenge were not the best either….Moody and Draymond? Come on! Steph is scared of losing 3 point contest so will not enter…thank god that weekend is over