The best player on the Lakers is an egregious All-Star starter snub

The Los Angeles Lakers are on pace to make the playoffs without needing the Play-In Tournament for the first time since the format was introduced in 2020-21. Leading the charge have been the usual suspects, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James routinely taking center stage.

As such, when the All-Star starters were announced for the Western Conference, many expected both of their names to appear under the bright lights.

Unfortunately, only one of the Lakers' two superstars were named an All-Star starter in 2025. Popularity admittedly plays a part, and LeBron James continues to be the most recognizable NBA player on the planet—thus resulting in an inevitable selection.

Unfortunately, Davis was omitted from the list of Western Conference All-Star starters. In his place were Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James, and Nikola Jokic.

In turn, Davis emerged as the ultimate snub from this list of future Hall of Famers and titans of the modern game.

Anthony Davis All-Star starter snub despite being Lakers' best player

Davis will likely be named an All-Star reserve, which in theory counts all the same. It's simply unsettling to see the best player on the Lakers, as well as one of the top-five performers in the Western Conference up to this point in the season, omitted from the list of starters.

It's also worth noting that the Lakers are currently five games above .500 and in sole possession of the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, with Davis operating as the team's first option.

Davis has thrived in the role, producing averages of 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 offensive offensive boards, 3.5 assists, 2.2 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 three-point field goals made per game. He's doing so while posting an efficient slash line of .523/.318/.782.

For perspective: Davis is on pace to become the first player since himself in 2017-18 and Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson in 1993-94 to average at least 25.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game.

Furthermore, while the Lakers' defense has been woeful overall, Davis continues to be one of the best individual defenders in the NBA. Opponents are shooting 4.2 percent worse when he's the primary defender, including a stunning decline of 10.0 percent from within six feet of the rim.

It's also worth noting that Davis is sixth in the Western Conference in scoring, fifth in rebounding, fourth in blocks, and just outside of the top 25 in steals.

A dominant force on both ends of the floor, Davis is the type of two-way force of nature who should be rewarded with All-Star starter recognition. Instead, he'll be anticipating an inclusion as a reserve despite producing better seasons than all but two of the Western Conference's starters.

An All-Star is an All-Star any way it's cut, but Davis has every right to use this snub as bulletin board material as the season progresses.