NBA legend Charles Barkley expressed doubts about the selection method and results of the All-Star Game.
On the 27th (Korean time), Barkley appeared on TNT, an American local broadcaster, and revealed his beliefs about the selection method for the All-Star Game. Barkley commented on Williamson’s selection, saying, “Zion Williamson missed too many games. He missed more than 20 games. How can he start in the All-Star Game?”
“Domantis Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) or Lauri Makkanen (Utah Jazz) should be an All-Star selection. That’s not fair,” Barkley added. The TNT panelists who appeared with Barkley also agreed with Barkley.
As Barkley points out, Williamson has only played 29 games this season. Of course, when he is on the field, his performance is impeccable. This season, Williamson has evolved into one of the best forwards in the league, averaging 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. The shocking number is the field goal success rate. Williamson’s field goal success rate is 60.8%, second only to Nikola Jokic (62.9%) among players with an average of 20 or more points. 토토사이트
The performance of his team, the New Orleans Pelicans, is also excellent. New Orleans is currently fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 26-23. It looks like it will be able to record the best performance since Anthony Davis left the team. The team’s performance is great, and Williamson is at least as good as when he runs. Williamson, who started in the All-Star game, was thrilled, saying, “It’s an honor. It feels surreal.”
Sabonis and Makkanen, whom Barkley cited as alternatives, are also having great seasons. Sabonis averaged 18.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists this season, reborn as the best passing big man in the league. Sabonis leads Sacramento’s offense with a greater impact on offense than the team’s starting point guard, De’Aaron Pax. Thanks to Sabonis’ performance, Sacramento is in third place in the Western Conference and is looking to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Makkanen, who moved to Utah through a trade with Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), is also one of the biggest hits this season. Makkanen was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 7th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, but he did not grow as expected and did not stand out even after moving to Cleveland. However, after moving to Utah, Makkanen became the best shooting big man in the league. He has reborn as Utah’s ace this season, averaging 24.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 43% 3-point shooting.
As Barkley said, there are many opinions about the selection for the All-Star Game. Opinions are divided over Williamson, who shows a clear impact when playing in the game, and Makanen and Sabonis, who consistently lead the team throughout the season. Barkley’s opinion makes sense.