The NBA's announcement of its All-Star starters for the 2025-26 season has stirred significant discussion, particularly regarding the notable absence of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. This omission from the Western Conference's five starting players is being viewed by many as a glaring oversight, especially considering that Edwards could very well earn a first-team All-NBA selection by the end of the season.
The chosen starters from the West include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and Stephen Curry. The selection process involved a weighted voting system where fan votes accounted for 50% of the decision, while players and media each contributed 25%. This season also marked a shift, as there were no positional restrictions for the first time.
While Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Doncic were expected selections, Wembanyama’s inclusion, despite only participating in 28 games thus far, raised eyebrows. The most contentious point seems to be the choice of Curry, who, at age 37, appears to have been selected more for his long-standing popularity and legacy than for his current performance. At this stage in the season, statistics and team success suggest Edwards has outperformed Curry, making this snub feel even more unjustifiable.
The drawback of incorporating fan votes into the selection process becomes evident here. Curry, one of the all-time greats and a fan favorite, plays in a larger market, which likely influenced his selection over Edwards. Although Curry continues to perform at a high level in his 17th season, it’s challenging to argue with substantial evidence that he deserves this honor more than Edwards, who has demonstrated both talent and leadership on his team.
In terms of the voting breakdown, Edwards ranked fourth among players and fifth in media votes, but his seventh-place finish in fan voting proved detrimental. He narrowly lost a tiebreaker in the weighted scoring to Wembanyama, highlighting the impact of fan opinions in such decisions.
The criteria for determining the All-Star Game starters consisted of:
▪️ Fans (50%)
▪️ NBA players (25%)
▪️ Media panel (25%)
For those interested, full voting results can be found at this link: https://t.co/0YQtBsIaGp.
Interestingly, Kevin Love was the last Timberwolves player to start an All-Star game back in 2014. While it’s anticipated that Edwards will be named a reserve for the fourth consecutive year, this should have been the moment he earned a starting role.
It’s worth noting that the term "starter" may not hold the same weight as it did in previous years. This season, the All-Star event will feature a new format, dividing players into two U.S. teams (with at least 16 participants total) and one World team comprising at least eight international athletes. These teams will compete in a round-robin style, with the top two squads advancing to a championship match. This exciting event is scheduled for February 15 at the Intuit Dome, home of the LA Clippers.
At just 24 years old, Edwards is enjoying the best season of his career. He has notably increased his scoring average for the fifth consecutive year, currently standing at an impressive 29.6 points per game, placing him fifth in the league. Additionally, he has surpassed 50% shooting from the field for the first time, hitting nearly 42% from three-point range on more than eight attempts per game. Beyond scoring, he contributes significantly with an average of 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks.
What’s particularly remarkable about Edwards is that not only has his points per game consistently risen throughout his career, but his True Shooting Percentage has also shown a steady increase every year. This combination of heightened scoring and improved efficiency is a testament to his growth as a player.
Another impressive statistic highlights Edwards' clutch performance: he boasts a remarkable shooting percentage of 71.7% from the field and 61.1% during clutch situations—defined as the final five minutes of games within a five-point margin. In contrast, Curry’s clutch shooting stands at 43.8%, showing a significant disparity.
As the number one overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Edwards recently delivered one of his finest performances, scoring a career-high 55 points in a thrilling loss to the Spurs. This recent snub might just ignite an even greater determination in him moving forward.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you agree that Anthony Edwards deserved a starting spot? Or do you believe Curry's legacy justifies his selection? Share your opinions in the comments!
