Draymond Green tries to figure out why Fox & Sabonis were All-Star snubs

Feb 6, 2024, 12:37 PM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings competes for the ball with Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

When Draymond Green meets the Kings on the court, there’s no love lost. But that doesn’t mean the Warriors forward/center doesn’t respect Sacramento’s key players.

Last week, the NBA revealed the 2024 All-Star reserves and there were two glaring omissions from Sacramento missing from the list: De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Both were All-Stars last season and have helped the Kings to a 29-20 record, sitting at fifth in the NBA’s Western Conference.

Through 43 games, Fox is averaging 27.3 points (career-high), 4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting just under 47% from the field and 37% from three-point range.

Over 49 games, Sabonis is averaging 19.7 points, 13.1 rebounds (leads NBA), and 8.2 assists (career-high) per game while shooting just under 62% from the field and 43% from three-point range.

READ MORE FROM SACTOWN SPORTS: Jordi Fernandez says its obvious De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis are All-Stars

In the latest episode of his podcast, Draymond Green focuses his attention on Fox, Sabonis and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young as key All-Star snubs. Young is averaging 27 points and 11 assists, as the Hawks hold the Eastern Conference’s final spot in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.

“In a stat-driven league, we have the tale of two tapes which is one team right on the brink of the playoffs, another team that is firmly in the playoff picture right now, all three with incredible stats, none make the All-Star Game,” Green says.

The host goes on to say he believes Fox and Sabonis pulled votes from one another. All-Star reserves are selected by NBA coaches, who select two guards, three frontcourt players and two wildcard players from the coach’s respective conferences.

“The wild cards, which is what De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis would be fighting for if you look at the roster, they probably pulled votes from each other. Because if you’re looking at them, you’re like, ‘Ah, it’s Sabonis for me for that team, it’s Fox for me for that team.’ So, in turn, I think they pulled votes from each other. And when they pull votes from each other, someone else kind of slides in,” Green explained.

Green goes on to compare Fox’s situation to NBA veteran Mike Conley Jr. For years, he led the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies, but would not make the All-Star game because of the tough competition he faced. Conley finally made it in 2021 as an injury replacement, his lone All-Star appearance. Even with De’Aaron Fox stepping up his game this season, and leading the Kings to the playoffs last year, other guards in the West may just be making a bigger jump.