It’s not a surprise. He’s had a stellar season for the Toronto Raptors but there may not be a more talented position group in the NBA than the Eastern Conference frontcourt. Joel Embiid is the MVP frontrunner. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP. Then there’s Jayson Tatum, the best player on the NBA’s best team. It’s a loaded group with Barnes somewhere among the next group of frontcourt players still on the come-up. But an All-Star reserve spot for Toronto’s 22-year-old is far from a sure thing. While Barnes has bounced back from a disappointing sophomore season, averaging 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season, Toronto’s lack of team success may leave Barnes on the outside of the All-Star Game bubble looking in
Consider the conference’s pool of talent: The frontcourt starters will be Embiid, Antetokounmpo, and Tatum who will be joined by Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt. They’ll take up five of the East’s 12 spots with two backcourt spots, three frontcourt spots, and two wildcard spots remaining on the bench. Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Maxey are all locks to fill out the two backcourt spots and one of the wildcard spots. Then there’s Trae Young, averaging 26.9 points per game this year, whose lackluster Atlanta Hawks may prove problematic for him. In the frontcourt, Jaylen Brown, Julius Randle, Paolo Banchero, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo all have had All-Star-worthy seasons on teams far more successful than Toronto. Between those five forwards, Young, and the aforementioned guard trio, that’s nine players for seven reserve spots.
