Gilbert Arenas didn’t hold back on the NBA's 2026 All-Star reserve selection.
Reserves for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, set to be held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on February 15th, were revealed this past weekend for both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
The reveal sparked plenty of conversation online from fans and media, debating who deserved selection and who was left out.
NBA All-Star and former Washington Wizards great Gilbert Arenas took to social media to weigh in on the announcement, speaking candidly about numerous players he felt were snubbed from this year's event.
“And they wonder why they have a problem with the All-Star Game,” Arenas said. “The All-Star game is the best 24 players in the world; some of these guys aren't even the best player on their team. And they're at this game with these numbers.”
Arenas continued by questioning team success and individual impact.
“Someone has 13 wins here. Thirteen wins are cool if you’re averaging 40,” he added. “But if you're having a regular [expletive] year. Everyone is gone, and you’re averaging 23? One of this guy's third options on his team, I don’t give a [expletive] about your team, No. 1; it’s not because of you. No one is scouting you, and you wonder why the guys aren’t playing hard. They’re not playing against the guy they compete with.”
He goes on to caption the video, mentioning, “A one-legged Embiid is playing better than half this list; I'd rather watch him limp up and down than some of these.”
One notable name who missed out on a spot in this year's All-Star Game is Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, who, through 30 games, has put together a solid case for selection. Embiid is averaging 26.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 48% shooting from the field.
He recently put together his best stretch of games throughout January, following his return from a knee injury that forced him to miss most of the 2024-25 NBA season, including playing in 14 out of 17 of the Sixers' games that month, posting 29 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 54% shooting in the month.
Embiid has been selected to the All-Star game seven times throughout his career, representing the 76ers on each occasion. His ongoing battle with knee injuries may have made it difficult to justify a spot in this year's game. Despite missing not being selected as an All-Star, it’s clear that Joel Embiid is still one of the best players in the league when healthy.
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