The NBA All-Star voting has just begun, and it's already confusing. The rookie, Wenyamata, has managed to rank in the top five, which reminds me of when Jeremy Lin burst onto the scene years ago, and fans were also voting crazily. However, the current voting rules are somewhat perplexing.
Jokic received 1.42 million votes, a truly astonishing number. After all, his playing style doesn't seem flashy at all; he relies on his passing and low-post offense to torment opponents. His performance this season certainly deserves this number of votes.
The Denver Nuggets have indeed played well this season. Jokic's statistics may not be as exaggerated as before, but his dominance on the court hasn't diminished. He always finds the most suitable teammate whenever he gets the ball, and this style of play is really fascinating.
Durant and James, these two veterans, follow closely behind in terms of votes. Both are over 35 years old, but their performances show no signs of their age, especially Durant, who maintains a shooting percentage of 51%, which is simply monstrous.
James, at 40 years old, can still score 38 points in a game, something that would be impossible for other players. Moreover, his playing style has completely changed; he no longer relies on physical strength as he used to, but more on technique.
Although Wenyamata ranks fifth, his performance has been impressive enough. In December alone, he made 50 blocks, a statistic that doesn't seem like one a rookie could achieve, and his three-point shooting is becoming increasingly stable.
LaMelo Ball received over 940,000 votes, a result that is somewhat surprising. After all, the Hornets' current record is quite poor, with 7 wins and 25 losses, ranking second to last in the East. Yet, he managed to get so many votes under such circumstances.
Ball averages 30 points per game this season, an impressive statistic. However, his scoring method always gives people an unreliable feeling, often involving difficult shots that look good but aren't very efficient.
Haliburton's performance this season has indeed been disappointing. After getting a big contract, he seems to have changed. His once agile playing style is nowhere to be seen, and now he's just an ordinary passing guard.
The Pacers' offensive efficiency has dropped significantly, which is largely related to Haliburton's state. Last season, he averaged 20 points and 10 assists, but both of these numbers have decreased this season, which is indeed worrying.
Antetokounmpo's dominance in the Eastern frontcourt remains strong. Although the Bucks have changed their coaching staff, his performance hasn't been affected at all, and he maintains a high scoring efficiency in every game.
Tatum and Towns have also performed steadily, especially Tatum. The Celtics' excellent performance is inseparable from his contributions, while Towns has found his place in the Timberwolves.
Banchero's entry into the top four is indeed a pleasant surprise. His performance in the Magic is improving, and he has already scored over 50 points in a game, which is quite remarkable for a sophomore player.
The Magic's lineup is becoming more mature, and Banchoro's growth rate is also fast. Although he has been affected by injuries, it hasn't affected his performance but has instead made his playing style more mature.
Although Wenyamata has performed outstandingly, he still needs time to surpass those veterans. Jokic's experience and stability are hard for rookie players to match, which is why the voting results are like this.
The dominance of the veterans still exists, indicating that the new generation of NBA players need more time to grow. Although they have many eye-catching performances, they still lack some experience in critical moments.
The results of the All-Star voting reflect the preferences of the fans to some extent. They enjoy watching the exciting performances of the rookies and appreciate the stable performances of the veterans. This balance may continue.