SUMMARY
- Joel Embiid and Julius Randle have been dealing with injuries and are expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks.
- Trae Young and Scottie Barnes have been named as their replacements for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
Trae Young and Scottie Barnes have been officially announced as replacements in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. There has been a lot of noise surrounding this year’s player pool and some fans have been upset regarding the players that have been selected. Almost every year, a few players, despite their deserving performances, get voted out of the All-Star Game. Young and Barnes happen to be the individuals that people believe were snubbed this season.
After NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that these individuals were replacing Joel Embiid and Julius Randle, the entire world was set ablaze. Most fans were especially upset about the fact that Barnes was subbed in. One fan said, “Scott Barnes isn’t even the best player on his team.” Another fan added, “Porzingis should’ve made it I don’t wanna hear all that ‘superteam’ complaining anymore.”
Scott Barnes isn’t even the best player on his team 💀
— lord (@nygk18) February 6, 2024
porzingis should’ve made it i don’t wanna hear all that “superteam” complaining anymore
— brad auerbach (@CelticsPost) February 6, 2024
Some fans accepted what they received and congratulated the All-Stars for making it. Trae Young has received his third All-Star selection while this will be Scottie Barnes’ first.
Why were Joel Embiid and Julius Randle replaced by Trae Young and Scottie Barnes?
Now that Trae Young and Scottie Barnes have been announced as replacements, some people aren’t aware of why they were brought in place of Joel Embiid and Julius Randle. The former has been making a strong case for the MVP title this season, however, along with his 2024 NBA All-Star Game appearance, went his chances of retaining the throne. Embiid will be undergoing surgery to repair his lateral meniscus.
Atlanta’s Trae Young and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes have replaced Joel Embiid and Julius Randle on the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2024
The Philadelphia 76ers center does not have a return timetable prepared but will most likely be sidelined for at least two months. And Randle dislocated his shoulder a while ago which has caused him to miss several games. Randle has been averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He is also set to miss multiple games.
Trae Young is no longer considered a snub while James Harden enters the debate
Trae Young was heavily debated for being snubbed from the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. The Atlanta Hawks have been struggling a lot this season, but Young has been outperforming a lot of his peers. This season, the 3x All-Star has been putting up 27.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game. These are impressive statistics, which is why fans are glad that he got a spot despite being a replacement.
However, most fans aren’t happy that Scottie Barnes made it as a replacement reserve. The 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year has been averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. But not everybody believes that he is as worthy as players like Kristaps Porzingis or Mikal Bridges. Some were upset that James Harden wasn’t given the replacement spot. However, Harden currently plays in the Western Conference, while Barnes represents the East.