Charles Barkley left STUNNED after Knicks star Jalen Brunson was not named among NBA All-Star starters, despite making New York ‘relevant’ again
- Bucks guard Damian Lillard was named an All-Star starter ahead of Brunson.
- NBA fans on social media were also adamant that Brunson should have been selected.
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Charles Barkley admitted he would prefer Jalen Brunson to be the NBA All-Star starter over Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard.
The NBA released its starting lineup Thursday night, and Barkley, a Hall of Famer and TNT analyst, along with countless fans were stunned that Lillard was named in the starting lineup rather than Brunson.
“I’m never going to throw any shade at Damian Lillard,” Barkley said. “I love him as a person and as a player, but I would love to see Jalen Brunson start.”
“I said it last year: I can’t believe what a great player he’s turned into. But last year he went to the Knicks, and I thought it was a good acquisition. This is one of the best free agent acquisitions I have ever seen. Nobody knew he would be this good.
“He was fantastic. He made the Knicks relevant.”
Charles Barkley says Jalen Brunson should have been an All-Star starter instead of Damian Lillard
Brunson averaged 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and shot 47.5 percent from the field this year.
Lillard, on the other hand, averaged 25.3 points, 6.8 assists and shot 42.6 percent.
After Brunson signed with the Knicks after playing for the Dallas Mavericks, New York reached the Eastern Conference semifinals but was eliminated from the playoffs.
Considering New York was in the playoffs back in 2020-21 when they suffered a first-round exit after a thrilling series with the Atlanta Hawks, Barkley may be a little off base when he says Brunson did ” The Knicks are “relevant,” but the point remains that the NBA universe thought the 27-year-old guard was robbed.
“Jalen Brunson is the best point guard in the east and I’m tired of him not being respected,” one fan said.
“Damian Lillard over Jalen Brunson is criminal,” NBA reporter Kevin O’Conner tweeted.
X fans and reporters also adamantly stated that Brunson should have been the choice.
“Dame Lillard vs. Jalen Brunson makes no statistical sense,” another NBA reporter tweeted.
“Western starters are great, but Lilliard coming in instead of Jalen Brunson is a total rip off,” another fan said.
“Jalen Brunson: 26.6 ppg, 6.5 apg, 47.5% FG. Damian Lillard: 25.3 ppg, 6.8 apg, 42.6% FG. Dame enters the All-Star Game as the starter ahead of Jalen Brunson. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?!” another fan tweeted emphatically. .
“Jalen Brunson/Tyrese Maxey were completely dismissive. Eliminate Lady Lillard,” read another post.