
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) reaches to steal the ball by Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) reaches to steal the ball by Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The 2021 NBA All-Star Game is becoming an injury fest. Devin Booker has now joined the likes of Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis on the sidelines for this exhibition game with a sprained knee. He is somewhat controversially being replaced by Utah Jazz’s Mike Conley.
It is not as if Conley does not deserve his maiden selection. DeMar DeRozan recently created quite an uproar on social media with just one tweet, and his fans are now rallying behind him to justify his inclusion.
In fact, many are even chastising the NBA for making a sympathy call to appease the Jazz fans. So, did Conley deserve his inclusion? First, let’s consider the candidature of others to get a more definitive answer.
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via Imago
DeMar DeRozan enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
NBA All-Star Game 2021 missouts
1. DeMar DeRozan
The Spurs lie seventh in the West, and DeRozan is their leader on the court. He is averaging 20 points per game at 48.4% FG efficiency while also recording 7.2 assists per game.
His case in point – a) His numbers are better than Conley. b) Conley is the third most valuable guy for the Jazz while DeRozan is Spurs‘ central figure and he is leading them to the Playoffs. Hence, they deserve some representation.
DeMar DeRozan had 11 assists in the Spurs W 🙌
The most assists without a turnover in any game of his career. pic.twitter.com/uJ7BHtVRYa
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 3, 2021
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Very much like DeRozan, his numbers look like they do merit an all-star inclusion. Gilgeous-Alexander is massively outperforming Conley from a statistical point of view. However, the biggest knock on him is that the Thunder lie way outside the Playoff contention.
3. Brandon Ingram
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His case is a copy and paste of Shai. Yet again, the individual stats back Ingram’s case, but the Pelicans are currently struggling, which makes it difficult to back him.
Why Conley deserves his inclusion over them
Not only is he playing a huge part in the Jazz’s best NBA record run, but he’s also waited all his life for this opportunity. He’s been unlucky to miss out quite a few times. At the ripe old age of 33, he deserves his chance.
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via Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) Paul George, Goran Dragic, and Kyrie Irving warm up at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Only DeRozan could present a substantial argument for himself. But frankly, his negative plus-minus (-1.55) leaves a lot to be desired. So, at the end of the day, the league has not robbed him of an All-Star inclusion.
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