5 Unforgivable snubs from 2022-23 All-NBA Teams

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a basket over Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, 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)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a basket over Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, 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) /
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The NBA released their 2022-2023 All-NBA teams earlier this week, with 15 players total making up the first, second, and third teams. While many of the selections seemed obvious, there was some debate about who were the biggest “snubs”. Fans began debating almost instantly about what players should have made the All-NBA teams that were left off.

There are also rule changes coming up soon in regard to the All-NBA teams. This year is the final year with positions (two guards, two forwards, and one center) and no games played minimum. Next season, the teams will just be based on the overall highest vote-getters regardless of position, and players will be required to play in 65 games to be eligible.

The biggest All-NBA snubs

I chose to pick the five players that I feel are the biggest snubs, and should have been included on one of the three All-NBA teams. Here are my five biggest snubs of the 2022-2023 All-NBA teams:

(*Also of note, these players listed are in alphabetical order by their last name*)

C – Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

Just off of name value alone, it’s hard to imagine AD not making an All-NBA team, but here we stand. Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game on the year. He also averaged 2.0 blocks and 1.1 steals per game (3rd in the league in Stocks per game (steals+blocks) at 3.1). He did that while shooting 56.3% from the field.

Meanwhile, the Lakers went 43-39 on the year, earning the #7 seed in the West after winning their first game in the play-in.

Even without the game minimum this season, Davis being limited to 56 games might have been a factor in him not making it. However, I’m not sure that there are 15 players in the NBA better than Davis, and it’s not like he had a bad year. In fact, this was arguably one of the best seasons of his career. However, injuries continue to be the story for Davis.

Davis is also caught in the center position struggles of the All-NBA team (which won’t be a problem moving forward), which makes it very tough to make an All-NBA team with the MVP, MVP runner-up, and Domantas Sabonis at his position. Voters either had to get put Davis over Sabonis, vote for Davis as a forward, or get creative in voting for Embiid or Jokic as a forward (to get them both on the first team) and thus creating a center spot for Davis lower on their ballot. Nevertheless, I still think Davis was a snub.

AD received the most points of all players who didn’t make the All-NBA teams. He received 13 second-team votes and 26 third-team votes from the 100-voter panel. Davis is a previous four-time All-NBA first-team selection, most recently in 2020.