Utah Jazz: Is Rudy Gobert’s All-Star snub the worst in recent memory?
By Josh Padmore
Lance Stephenson, 2014
Yes, Lance Stephenson was an All-Star snub. Former Jazzman Joe Johnson made it over him as a member of the Brooklyn Nets in 2014, which surprised many people. Notably, Charles Barkley was pretty angry about it. The 2013-14 season was when the Indiana Pacers won 56 games, and when Lance Stephenson had his best year as a pro.
Stephenson averaged about 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game. He was awesome. He also led the NBA in triple-doubles at that time. Not to mention, when the reserves were announced in 2014, the Pacers had the best record in the NBA. What else do you want?
What else do you want from Gobert, too? He leads the NBA in win shares and is having his best season in the NBA. He’s been dominant. His team isn’t the best in the NBA, but they’re in the playoff picture in the rugged Western Conference.
I may be a little biased towards Stephenson and the Pacers, but this is a tough one. Both Gobert and Stephenson were snubbed pretty badly. To Gobert’s credit, the NBA is far more loaded with jaw-dropping, mesmerizing talent than it was five years ago. And again, Towns and Aldridge making it over Gobert is worse than Joe Johnson making it over Stephenson. Do with that as you will.