Shannon Sharpe disapproves of Zion Williamson as NBA All-Star starter: “One of these guys probably getting snubbed”
After drafting Zion Williamson with the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, the New Orleans Pelicans picked up CJ McCollum during the 2021-22 season. With a big three of Williamson, McCollum, and Brandon Ingram, things were looking up for New Orleans.
The team finished last season with just their second playoff appearance in the previous five years, giving fans hope for the future once Williamson was back on the court. While Williamson has played in just 29 of the Pelicans' 49 games this season, the team still finds itself in fourth place in the West.
Given how explosive Williamson is and how much fans adore the athletic forward, he was voted as a starter in the 2023 All-Star game. However, the way outspoken analyst Shannon Sharpe sees things, with Williamson only playing 29 games this year, he doesn't deserve a starting spot.
During a recent episode of Undisputed With Skip & Shannon, Sharpe spoke about the athletic forward getting voted as a starter:
"I would have taken Sabonis, Skip. He's averaging 18 points, he leads the league in rebounding at 12.4, and he's [getting] seven assists a game, Skip, and he's shooting 60% from the field, and his team is third in the West, if I'm not mistaken. Or Lauri Markkanen, 24.5, 8.7, on 52% shooting, 43% from the three-point line, Skip. I can't take a guy that's played 29 of 49 games.
"And Zion has put up 26 points, seven rebounds, four and a half assists a game and they [are] fourth in the West. But Sabonis [is] averaging 18.4, 12.4, 7.3. He's played 45 games and he's playing through a fractured thumb!"
As Sharpe pointed out, had Anthony Davis managed to stay healthy, he would have undoubtedly been an All-Star starter. Unfortunately, despite still putting up spectacular averages, Davis has missed just as many games as Williamson.
.@ShannonSharpe’s biggest problem with the NBA All-Star starters:
“I would’ve taken Sabonis or Lauri Markkanen over Zion. I can’t take a guy that’s played 29 out of 49 games.” https://t.co/Izj4uYYDNH
Zion Williamson compared to the 2023 NBA All-Star Game starters
While Zion Williamson has looked like an absolute unit in the games he has played, the fact of the matter is that he's played far less than his fellow All-Star starters. On Thursday night, the NBA on TNT crew unveiled the starters for the Utah-based All-Star game.
In the Western Conference, we have Luka Doncic and Steph Curry in the backcourt, while Zion Williamson fills the small forward position. In the frontcourt, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic received starting nominations, with James also serving as the team's captain.
In the Eastern Conference, Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell will fill the backcourt, with Jayson Tatum as the small forward. In the frontcourt, the team will have Kevin Durant, who is currently sidelined with an MCL injury, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be the captain again.
All-Star weekend festivities kick off on February 17 from Utah and carry on through the 19th, featuring the Celebrity Game, Rising Stars Game, Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest, and the All-Star game.
(Suggested Reading: Robert Horry with a hot take on LeBron breaking Kareem's record)