Will OKC Thunder's Jalen Williams be named NBA All-Star? Why he deserves choice – Oklahoman.com

When requested why Thunder teammate Jalen Williams needs to be an All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tilted his head, sighed deeply and tapped on the desk. 
“Take your time,” quipped Williams, sitting beside SGA after a current Thunder win. 
“I need to say it appropriately,” Gilgeous-Alexander replied. “I’m not considering, I do know the reply! I simply need to say it appropriately.” 
Right here’s the point-by-point case SGA made for J-Dub. 
Gilgeous-Alexander knocked on the desk after his final level, not eager to tempt the basketball gods. 
Gilgeous-Alexander is a lock to begin within the 2025 NBA All-Star Sport on Feb. 16 in San Francisco. Williams is prone to get in, but it surely’s removed from a certainty. Perhaps 60/40. 
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(It’s actually an All-Star mini-tournament now. For some cause, NBA commissioner Adam Silver is hell-bent on fixing the All-Star Sport, which, who cares in regards to the recreation within the first place? We simply need to know the checklist of All-Stars for historic functions. Would possibly as properly not even play the sport. Anyway …) 
The format has modified however the voting course of has not. The 5 starters (two guards and three frontcourt gamers) from each conferences are determined by a mixture of fan vote (50%), participant vote (25%) and media vote (25%). 
Gilgeous-Alexander leads all West guards within the fan vote, and he’s a shoe-in to be chosen as a starter by each the gamers and the media. Williams was seventh amongst West frontcourt gamers within the newest returns of the fan vote. A decent mark, however his possibilities of being named a starter are nil. 
Williams must make it in as a reserve. The seven reserves for each conferences are determined totally by a coach’s vote. That is excellent news for Williams. 
You realize what coaches worth? Profitable. 
The Thunder, 31-6 getting into Sunday, is lapping the West. The hole between the Thunder and second-place Rockets is six video games. The hole between the Rockets and the Tenth-place Suns is six and a half video games. 
Chet Holmgren was the Thunder’s apparent alternative for a second All-Star choice earlier than sustaining a hip fracture 10 video games in. With Holmgren out, Williams has been a high-level No. 2 choice behind Gilgeous-Alexander. 
Williams is averaging 20.6 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals — all career-highs for the third-year professional. SGA, by the best way, wasn’t named an All-Star till his fifth season. This would be the third consecutive All-Star choice for SGA. 
Williams’ effectivity has dipped, however that’s a pure results of his improve in shot quantity. He’s averaging three extra makes an attempt this season (16.9) than he did final season (14.0). He’s taking pictures 48% from the sector, down from 54% final season. His 3-point accuracy has dropped from an excellent 43% to a subpar 34%. 
That is the place staff context is so vital for J-Dub’s case. Coaches reward profitable. 
Right here’s what the West All-Star staff may seem like: 
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder 
Stephen Curry, Warriors 
Curry is second in fan voting amongst West guards. Bear in mind, the fan vote weighs closely (50%) in selecting starters. Curry is carrying a .500 Warriors staff. It is smart that he’d get the nod with the sport in San Francisco. 
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 
Kevin Durant, Suns 
LeBron James, Lakers
Jokic is a lock. Durant and James are second and third within the fan vote, which is why they’re slotted right here, however they may not get as a lot help within the participant and media vote. Greatest guess: The fan vote carries them. 
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves 
De’Aaron Fox, Kings 
Edwards is a lock. Fox isn’t. Right here’s his case although: The Kings have gained six in a row. He’s averaging 26.7 factors, 6.2 assists and 4.9 rebounds. He’s taking pictures 49% from the sector. Will coaches dock him for Mike Brown getting fired? Perhaps. 
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs 
Anthony Davis, Lakers 
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies 
Wembanyama has an excellent probability of displacing both James or Durant as a starter. Davis is a lock. Jackson needs to be a lock. Ja Morant hasn’t performed sufficient to get in. Memphis is third within the West thanks largely to Jackson. 
Jalen Williams, Thunder 
Alperen Sengun, Rockets 
Williams is correct on the sting, however as we talked about, the coaches will take a look at the Thunder’s document and determine that OKC wants a second All-Star. Why Sengun because the final decide? The Rockets are No. 2 within the West. Houston must be represented. 
Two names which can be lacking: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. What to do with the injured Mavericks stars? Doncic has solely performed in 22 video games. Profitable the fan vote is his solely path to getting in. Irving, sidelined with a again damage, has performed in 30 video games. His case is healthier than that of Doncic’s, however what if Irving misses the following couple of weeks? Each might be on the skin trying in.
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Joe Mussatto is a sports activities columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a narrative thought for Joe? Electronic mail him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Help Joe’s work and that of different Oklahoman journalists by buying a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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