The full lineup for the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend has been officially announced, with a surprising twist: out of all 30 NBA teams, only one will be completely absent from the event — the Charlotte Hornets. Despite being owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan, the Hornets stand as the sole team without a single player selected for any All-Star competition.
Across the league, 29 teams will be represented by at least one player during All-Star Weekend. The annual event features five key competitions: the Rising Stars Challenge, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and of course, the All-Star Game itself — the main event that draws the most fanfare and carries the toughest selection criteria. Many fans voiced their belief that Dwight Howard deserved a spot. Both Howard and Kemba Walker have had solid seasons, showing the talent to make the cut, but the Hornets’ underwhelming record ultimately worked against them.
This scenario echoes sentiments often seen in BD Cricket, where individual brilliance can be overlooked due to team underperformance. Just as standout BD Cricket players sometimes miss major tournament call-ups despite strong personal stats, the Hornets find themselves sidelined, largely due to their current 22-29 record — good for only 11th place in the Eastern Conference and on the brink of missing the playoffs.
The exclusion goes beyond the main game. Charlotte didn’t land any representatives in the Rising Stars Challenge either, with rookies Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon falling short of the mark. Neither made a strong enough impression to earn a spot. Furthermore, in the other major skill-based events — the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest — the Hornets are again nowhere to be seen.
Adding to the irony, next year’s All-Star Weekend is set to take place in Charlotte itself. Yet this year, their roster is completely missing from the festivities. Meanwhile, players from other franchises are making headlines. Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets leads an eight-man field in the Three-Point Contest and is aiming to defend his title. He’ll face strong competition from Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, a former champion himself. In the Slam Dunk Contest, Larry Nance Jr. of the Los Angeles Lakers has confirmed his participation, while Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic returns for his third consecutive try at the crown.
Charlotte fans might feel a sting of disappointment, especially knowing that Dwight Howard was once an All-Star fan favorite and former top vote-getter. Kemba Walker, too, has worn the All-Star jersey in past years. Their absence this time isn’t due to lack of skill, but rather the team’s inability to string together wins.
Still, much like in BD Cricket where one season’s disappointment can lead to the next season’s motivation, the Hornets have a chance to bounce back. With the spotlight heading to their home court next year, the pressure — and opportunity — to prove themselves on the big stage is greater than ever. For now, the 2018 All-Star Weekend will go on without them, but their story is far from over in the world of basketball, or in the spirit shared by rising teams in BD Cricket.