3 Surprising players on first 2023 All-Star Game ballot release

1. G Derrick Rose, New York Knicks

Full disclosure: the New York Knicks are my team. Always have been. If I lacked journalistic integrity, maybe I’d vote for Derrick Rose too. But this is just ridiculous.

Jalen Brunson was mysteriously absent from the first returns. He has been a steadying star for the Knicks and one of the two biggest reasons why New York are jockeying for playoff position. Yet his battery mate who plays behind him is on the list.

The 34-year-old Rose exclusively comes off the bench, averaging less than 13 minutes per game. He’s averaging a lowly 5.8 points and 1.8 assists per game.

There’s no hidden expertise deeper behind the numbers, explaining the magic behind Rose. He’s fine at what he does, giving the Knicks a veteran presence off the bench. But he’s not doing anything at an All-Star level.

The NBA previously displayed the discretion to give All-Star bids to legacy players on the last legs of their careers. But that was up to the league to decide. The fans don’t need to take matters into their own hands.

This is probably the worst season of Rose’s career, which has as much to do with his role as his play on the court. Yes, he’s a former MVP and remains popular in league circles. But he hasn’t been an All-Star since 2012, the year after he averaged a career-high 25 points per game. He’s barely averaging a FIFTH of that now.

The moral of the story? Derrick Rose shouldn’t be an All-Star. Take your votes from Rose and give it to the New York Knicks guard who deserves it most, Jalen Brunson.