We see you, Zach!
Luka and Giannis have the early lead in All-Star voting … pic.twitter.com/dPUxgZ7aQO
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 2, 2020
The NBA released its first returns on All-Star voting and Zach LaVine is right where he should be: in the mix. Specifically in fifth-place – behind (funny enough) Derrick Rose – LaVine has tallied 173,991 votes thus far.
Fan voting is only 50 percent of the equation, as player and media votes each count for 25 percent, but it’s nice to see LaVine well represented among the Eastern Conference guards. If he can just manage to hang around the 5th spot, I have to think he’ll end up making his first All-Star appearance of his career.
The top two guards each conference will be the designated starters, but LaVine could have a good shot at making it as a reserve. Grabbing one of the seven reserve spots will come down to coach votes, and it’s hard to believe LaVine could finish that high in guard voting and still not be chosen by coaches around the league.
And, if all else fails, if an All-Star is injured and can’t take the court, a reserve will become a starter and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will be allowed to pick one player to crack the roster. With the event in Chicago, LaVine would feel like a smart choice.
LaVine is currently averaging 23.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 42.7 percent shooting from the field and a career-high 39.8 percent from downtown.
Is that worthy of a roster spot in your eyes? If so, vote!