“Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard should have been the starters”: Charles Barkley weighs in with his opinion on the Western All-Star Starting Guards

NBA Analyst Charles Barkley does not approve of the Western All-Star backcourt duo of Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic

The NBA released the list for the All-Star Starters, who would compete in Atlanta. It comes as no shock that the captains of the All-Star squads are LeBron James and Kevin Durant. The two forwards have been leading the polls since the first-round polls were out.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant will be team captains and draft the All-Star Game rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves from each conference. The 2021 NBA All-Star Draft on Thursday.
Final fan vote totals are below: pic.twitter.com/YMlN2pmzyZ

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 19, 2021

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The All-Star starters are as follows:

For the West, LeBron James(capt.), Stephen Curry(G), Luka Doncic(G), Nikola Jokic(F), and Kawhi Leonard(F).

For the East, Kevin Durant(capt.), Kyrie Irving(G), Bradley Beal(G), Giannis Antetokounmpo(F), and Joel Embiid(F).

Charles Barkley disagrees with Steph Curry and Luka Doncic starting in the West’s All-Star backcourt

Charles Barkley, one of the co-hosts of NBA on TNT, was heard sharing his views on the All-Star starters list. He had a big problem, specifically with the Western guards. According to Chuck, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard should have been called the Western All-Star guard starters.

Chuck made a strong case for Spida, and said the following,

“If you have the best record in basketball, that says a lot. They have these stupid arguments about who gets MVP every year. The MVP never went to the best player.”

“It always went to the best player on the best team. Donovan Mitchell should be rewarded in my opinion. No disrespect to anybody but this kid has been the best player on the best team in the NBA. It’s unfortunate that he’s not starting.”

His entire quote can be heard here:

Chuck believes Dame and Donovan Mitchell should’ve been West starters

(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/W7e79APsMa

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2021

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While the case Chuck makes for Donovan makes sense in theory, All-Star games are a celebration, and people also get to select who they want to see there.

Stephen Curry has returned to his MVP form, and if anyone deserves to be there, its Steph. As for Damian Lillard, he went head to head with Luka Doncic, and fell short a little in stats. However, since his team has had more success, he should have been selected as well.

Both Dame and Spida would make their way to the All-Star game though, as they would be shoo-ins for the reserve.