The NBA revealed its All-Star Game starting lineups on Thursday. TNT analyst Charles Barkley quickly named his biggest snub.
Fans are responsible for 50 percent of the NBA All-Star voting, with the players and media members checking in at 25 percent each.
LeBron James (Lakers) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) have been leading the fan voting for their respective conferences all season.
Now, with the players and media having a chance to weigh in, talks of All-Star snubs have already begun on social media.
Charles Barkley, social media react to NBA All-Star starting lineups
Users on X rallied behind Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who was not voted onto the East team’s starting lineup, and they were not alone. TNT analyst Charles Barkley also spoke about Brunson’s impact on the Knicks and explained why he is the most glaring omission.
Barkley says Brunson should have been an all-star, calling the 27-year-old one of the best free-agent signings in NBA history.
“He made the New York Knicks relevant for the first time since Patrick Ewing,” Barkley said on the broadcast.
"I would have love to see Jalen Brunson as a starter…he made the Knicks relevant for the first time since Patrick Ewing." Chuck's reaction to Jalen Brunson not being named an All-Star starter pic.twitter.com/kK2Y3uM0sA
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 26, 2024
Per TNT, Brunson and Lillard finished with identical voting scores overall. But Lillard made the All-Star starting lineup because of the fan vote tiebreaker. Brunson claimed the No. 2 spot in media voting.
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Fans and media members on social media were quick to blame the casual viewing audience for Lillard’s edge in voting.
Jalen Brunson finished second in media voting for All-Star starters, but ultimately he didn’t get the starting spot because he was way behind in the fan voting — ironic, given the team Brunson plays for and how active its fan base is.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 26, 2024
Damian Lillard over Jalen Brunson is a crime.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 26, 2024
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins called it a “tragedy” that Brunson got left off the starting lineup.
Jalen Brunson not being an All-Star starter in the Eastern Conference is a damn tragedy! I can’t wait until tomorrow when I in front of that camera on NBA Today! That’s some BS! Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 26, 2024
Brunson is averaging a career-high in points per game (26.6) in his second season with the Knicks.
The former Villanova standout ranks near the top of the league in minutes per game, but even with a high usage rate, Brunson averages only two turnovers a contest.
His ability as a passer shows up consistently, averaging a respectable 6.5 assists. Brunson is also a capable defender, chipping in one steal per game.
Barkley later said Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton are deserving starters in the East. But according to the stats, there is merit in labeling Brunson a snub.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, will host this year’s NBA All-Star game. Tune in on Feb. 18.
