Who Selects NBA All-Star Reserves? Discover the Voting Process

The All-Star Game: More Than Just a Popularity Contest

Honestly, if you're a basketball fan, you probably know how big the NBA All-Star Game is. It's the event where the best of the best showcase their skills, but there's a lot more than just the starters. The NBA All-Star reserves are just as important as the starters, but who actually selects these players? If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered how this all works, especially when certain players are left out, and others make the cut.

I remember having a conversation with a buddy of mine last season about how surprised we were when a few deserving players didn’t get selected as reserves. I mean, how does that even happen? Who decides? Let's dive into the process and break it down together.

The Role of Coaches in Selecting All-Star Reserves

Coaches Have a Significant Influence

Well, first off, NBA coaches play a huge role in selecting the All-Star reserves. They’re actually the ones responsible for voting on who will join the starters in the game. Each team’s coach gets to vote for players from other teams, but they can’t vote for their own players. This ensures that the selection process is fair, right? Coaches are able to evaluate players objectively based on their performance and contributions to their teams throughout the season.

I actually didn’t realize how much influence the coaches had until I read about it. They not only pick players based on stats, but also their overall impact on the game. For example, a player’s ability to fit into their team’s system and help with team chemistry can also be a factor in getting selected. This is why you’ll often see some players who might not have the flashiest stats, but are essential to their team’s success, make the All-Star reserves.

The Process: Each Conference’s Selection

Each NBA coach votes for seven players from the opposite conference. These include two guards, three forwards, and two wildcard spots that can be either a guard or a forward. Coaches vote for players they think deserve to be in the game, which is why it’s not just about scoring the most points—it’s about the total contribution to the team.

It’s like when I was playing pickup games in college, and the players with the best skills weren’t always the ones chosen first. Often, the players who could distribute the ball and create plays were the ones picked because they brought balance to the team. Coaches think the same way when selecting reserves.

The Fans’ Role in the All-Star Game Selection

Fan Voting: The Popularity Factor

Honestly, the All-Star reserves don’t only depend on coaches. Fan voting plays a huge role in who gets the starting spots. Every year, NBA fans cast their votes to choose who should start in the game, and while they don’t directly affect the reserves, the fan voting helps shape the overall roster.

Now, I get it—fan voting is often criticized because it sometimes favors popular players over those who are quietly putting up stellar stats. I remember a couple of seasons ago when Zaza Pachulia came close to getting a starting spot because of the overwhelming fan support, even though he wasn’t necessarily one of the best players statistically. While this doesn’t affect the reserves directly, it does influence the overall narrative of who deserves to be in the game.

Media Influence: A Subtle Force

Well, there's also a more indirect force that impacts the selection process—the media. Although media members don’t have a direct vote in the All-Star Game selection, their coverage and commentary can sway public opinion, which in turn influences how coaches and fans vote. A player who gets a lot of press for a highlight reel play or an exciting game can generate buzz that leads to All-Star consideration. It’s like when everyone talks about a player’s breakout season, and suddenly, they’re getting more votes.

Why Some Players Get Snubbed: The Hard Truth

The Case of "Snubs"

Honestly, one of the most frustrating parts of the NBA All-Star selection process is when a player gets snubbed. Sometimes, a player has an incredible season, but for various reasons, they don’t get selected. Maybe it's because there’s already too much talent at their position, or perhaps their team isn’t performing well enough for them to stand out.

I’ve had so many conversations with friends, scratching our heads about why a player like Devin Booker was overlooked for reserves in the past. He had an outstanding season, but there were simply other players who had a stronger fan base or played on winning teams, which is often a factor in the coaches’ decisions.

Impact of Team Performance

It’s tough, but the team’s success plays a major role in the All-Star selection process. Coaches often favor players who are part of successful teams because it reflects their overall contribution. So, if you’re on a team that’s underperforming, even if you’re putting up great individual numbers, it might hurt your chances of being selected. I remember discussing this with a colleague who’s an avid Phoenix Suns fan—he couldn’t believe Booker wasn’t selected, but the Suns were just starting to build momentum.

Conclusion: The Complex World of NBA All-Star Reserves

At the end of the day, selecting NBA All-Star reserves is a complex and nuanced process. Coaches have the final say, but there are so many factors at play—performance, team success, media influence, and fan voting. Some players will always feel slighted, and others might feel that they’ve earned a spot for years. It’s not always a perfect system, but it’s part of what makes the NBA All-Star Game so special.

So, the next time you see the All-Star reserves being announced, just remember—there’s a lot more to it than just numbers. It's about the complete package, and sometimes, it's just about being in the right place at the right time.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.