Who Made the Cut? Breaking Down the 2023 NBA All-Star Reserves Selections

As I sat watching the TNT broadcast reveal the 2023 NBA All-Star reserves, I couldn't help but reflect on what makes these selections so compelling year after year. Having covered the league for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for spotting which players truly deserve that coveted All-Star nod, and which ones might feel slightly hard done by the selection process. The reserves announcement always brings more drama than the starters reveal - it's where the real debates begin, where legacy meets current performance, and where the league's depth truly gets tested.

Looking at the Western Conference reserves, I have to say I'm particularly thrilled to see Domantas Sabonis finally get his due. The man's been putting up historic numbers - we're talking 18.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game while shooting over 60% from the field. Those aren't just All-Star numbers, those are potential MVP candidate numbers in the right context. What fascinates me about Sabonis is how he's evolved from being just a good post player to becoming the absolute engine of Sacramento's offense. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and he makes everyone around him better in ways that don't always show up in traditional stats. Then there's Ja Morant, who continues to defy physics and expectations. His 27.3 points and 8.1 assists per game tell only part of the story - it's the gravitational pull he exerts on defenses that makes him so special. I've watched countless Grizzlies games this season, and there are possessions where the entire opposing defense is focused solely on containing him, yet he still finds ways to score or create quality looks for teammates.

The Eastern Conference reserves present some fascinating cases, particularly with the inclusion of Jalen Brunson. Now here's a player who's completely transformed the Knicks' offensive identity. His 23.8 points and 6.2 assists per game are impressive, but it's his clutch performance that really stands out to me. I've tracked his numbers in "clutch time" - defined as last five minutes with score within five points - and he's shooting 48% from the field in those situations. That's the kind of performance that wins games and earns All-Star nods. What surprises me somewhat is the exclusion of James Harden, who's been absolutely brilliant in his role as Philadelphia's primary playmaker. His 21.4 points might not jump off the page, but his 11.2 assists per game lead the league, and he's been remarkably efficient with a true shooting percentage north of 60%.

Thinking about shooting efficiency reminds me of something interesting I observed recently while watching international basketball. There was this TNT game where they were absolutely burning hot from three-point range, hitting 14-of-37 from beyond the arc. What stood out was how the shooting was distributed - veteran guard RR Pogoy led with five threes, while Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, Glenn Khobuntin, and former MVP Kelly Williams each contributed two, with Williams being a perfect 2-of-2. That kind of balanced long-range attack is becoming increasingly valuable in today's NBA, and it's something we're seeing from several All-Star reserves this season.

As I analyze these selections, I keep coming back to the importance of two-way players. That's why I'm particularly pleased to see Jaren Jackson Jr. make the cut. His 3.1 blocks per game lead the league, and he's anchoring the Grizzlies' defense while still contributing 16.5 points on efficient shooting. In today's positionless basketball, having a big who can protect the rim and stretch the floor is invaluable. Similarly, Jrue Holiday's inclusion speaks to how much coaches value defensive excellence combined with offensive reliability. His stats - 19.4 points and 7.3 assists - are solid but don't fully capture his impact on winning basketball.

What strikes me about this year's reserves group is how it reflects the evolving nature of NBA basketball. We're seeing more international players than ever before, more versatile big men, and players who excel in specific roles rather than just stuffing stat sheets. The days of simply looking at points per game to determine All-Stars are long gone. Today's selections consider impact metrics, defensive contributions, and how players elevate their teams in meaningful ways. As I look ahead to the All-Star game itself, I'm particularly excited to see how these reserves mesh with the starters - because sometimes, it's the reserves who end up stealing the show and making the game memorable.