The Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron Jame is leading the frontcourt voting for the All-star batch selection. Last week, the Lakers forward topped everyone with 3,168,694 votes when the results came out. He is above other superstars of the game, such as Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Although Durant and Giannis are from the Eastern Conference, three of them are the top three in terms of voting. What remains shocking is the presence of Anthony Davis in the Western Conference’s top three.
The 29-year-old power forward has been out for about a month, missing many games for the Lakers. However, his performances have made a place in the hearts of the fans who want to see him in the All-star game. When AD was well, he was one of the best, breaking records and leading his team to wins. He is also responsible for the Lakers’ successful run without their reliable LeBron on the team. Although the nine-time All-star is out for a while, his absence has been the elephant in the room. Davis is working on his recovery and will soon make a return in Purple and Gold.
Lakers Fan Shower Love For AD, But His Chances Are Slim
Despite the best performances of the players like Zion Williamson, Domantas Sabonis, Aron Gordon, Draymond Green, and Lauri Markkane, Davis is above them. Even after missing the court for a month, fans remember his performances that lead the team in adverse times. Undoubtedly, the Lakers center has been incredible when he is healthy. But certainly, there are no questions about his health problem, which causes trouble for the Lakers. However, the team remains skeptical about their chances to play in the playoffs without Anthony. The Lakers would have taken a relaxing breath last week when the news broke out that Davis could return soon.
Apart from Davis, there are other Lakers players who are holding a spot among the other vote-getters. Russell Westbrook became a fan favorite after adapting his new role in the team. And fans appreciated his efforts by voting him for the All-star team selection. Austin Reaves is another player who is on the list to make the All-star team. Although Reaves has not been very effective this year, he and Westbrook remain in the top 10. But the chances that Lakers Russ and Austin would be selected for the All-star are very slim.
The NBA All-star is one of the most highly anticipated events in the world of basketball. And the players are not divided into the team just because of their popularity among the fans. The selection process includes 50% weightage from the fans voting. And other 50% depends on media, players, and coaches. The all-star concept is all about bringing the best player of the game onto the court at the same time. However, not everyone gets a chance to feature, which could be disheartening for some players and fans. And a similar fate waits for the Lakers superstar Davis. His lack of presence in the last month could adversely affect his chances to feature in an All-star game.